Engineering Management Institute

UPCOMING TRAINING

Civil Engineers

TCEP 173: How to Build a Vision-Driven Civil Engineering Company

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vision-driven civil engineering companyIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, that is part of our Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs series, I talk to Rene Portieles II, P.E., the Chief Executive Officer of Epic Forensics & Engineering, Inc. about his journey of starting an engineering company and how today, they are building a vision-driven civil engineering company around one very important theme. Stick around until the end to hear some of the great advice Rene gives, not just to grow a company, but also to grow as an engineering professional.

Engineering Quotes:

vision-driven civil engineering company


Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Rene:

  • Tell us more about your family history, and history in contracting and how that has been valuable in what you are doing today?
  • What is forensic engineering?
  • What does a mission/vision statement mean to you in terms of growing a civil engineering firm, and how do you utilize it at Epic Forensics & Engineering?
  • How do you share your mission/vision with the company?
  • How big is Epic Forensics & Engineering?
  • What are some of the typical problems you see in engineering firms when they are trying to grow or scale a company?
  • How do you find, develop, and retain the right people in your firm?
  • What advice can you give civil engineers out there who are trying to grow their companies?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Building a Vision-Driven Civil Engineering Company:

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TCEP 172: Intelligent Infrastructure: A New Vision for Civil Engineering Professionals

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Intelligent InfrastructureIn this episode, I talk to Dr. Luna Lu Ph.D., the ACPA Professor and Director of the Center for Intelligent Infrastructure at Purdue University, about intelligent infrastructure and how it can benefit civil engineers and the community.

Engineering Quotes:

Intelligent Infrastructure

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dr. Luna Lu Ph.D.:

  • Can you please provide us with an update on the condition of the U.S. infrastructure from your perspective?
  • Please tell us more about the discovery of functional nanomaterials with tunable properties for energy harvesting and infrastructure sensing applications, and what intelligent infrastructure is?
  • How would you say one can achieve intelligence?
  • What is the overall goal you would like to achieve with the research on sensors that could speed up construction schedules?
  • In your article in The Exponent called “Building the way to a smart future,” it mentions that smart infrastructure aims to create roadways and bridges that can communicate with cars and collect data. How will that work?
  • Can you share with our listeners some of the other exciting projects you are currently working on?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Intelligent Infrastructure:

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TSEC 51: Resilience Strategies for Buildings and Wildfires

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resilience strategiesIn this episode, we talk to Kevin S. Moore, P.E., S.E., SECB, the Senior Principal/Division Head at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, and Erica Fischer, Ph.D., P.E., an Assistant Professor at Oregon State University about resilience strategies for buildings and wildfires.

Engineering Quotes:

Resilience Strategies

Resilience Strategies

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Resilience Strategies for Buildings and Wildfire:

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TCEP 169: Civil Engineers Need To Lead the System of Systems

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lead the system of systemsIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Maria Lehman, P.E., F.ASCE, ENV SP, the Director of U.S. Infrastructure at GHD, and an official nominee for the worldwide ASCE President-Elect 2021. Maria will be talking about America’s infrastructure, the ASCE Report Card, the needs of the civil engineering profession, and how civil engineers need to lead the system of systems.

Engineering Quotes:


Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Maria Lehman on How Civil Engineers Need to Lead the System of Systems:

  • The American Society of Civil Engineers unveiled their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure on March 3rd. Can you share with us some of the results and grades that were given to the different sectors?
  • The Failure to Act: Economic Impacts of Status Quo Investment Across Infrastructure Systems quantifies how the persistent failure to invest in our aging infrastructure impacts the economy. Can you share some of its findings and how it affects the cost to families when we don’t invest in infrastructure?
  • How do you successfully deliver mega-projects? 
  • How would you say civil engineers need to lead the system of systems?
  • Do you have any advice for civil engineers out there who are planning to get involved with mega-projects, or who are considering pursuing a career similar to yours?
  • You are a nominee for the ASCE President-Elect 2021. Can you share with us what your vision is as a nominee?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Leading the Systems of Systems:

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TWiCE 13: This Week in Civil Engineering – Alternative Materials Could Reduce Carbon Footprint

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Carbon Footprint

Welcome to This Week in Civil Engineering (TWiCE), the first weekly audio and video podcast covering weekly news stories and events related to civil engineering and its sub-disciplines. In this week’s episode, we provide you with the latest news in the Civil Engineering industry including covering how manufacturers are tackling concrete’s carbon footprint problems by reformulating cement with similar-behaving materials that inherently generate less carbon dioxide than the ones used in traditional manufacturing methods.

Breaking News in Civil Engineering:

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TCEP 156: Work-Life Balance Strategies for Civil Engineers

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Work-Life Balance StrategiesHaving a healthy work-life balance is a difficult challenge even in the best of times, but it is becoming more and more necessary during these times of economic stagnation and uncertainty. That is why, in this week’s episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, Ken Mika, P.E. M.ASCE, a project engineer and office leader for Geosyntec’s Green Bay, Wisconsin office will provide some great work-life balance strategies that you can use to help you along the way.

Engineering Quotes:

Work-Life Balance Strategies

Work-Life Balance Strategies

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Ken:

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TCEP 151: Everything Civil Engineers Talk About Doing, but Never Get To Do

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Maysill Pascal

In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Maysill Pascal, P.E., Regional Senior Engineer and Sales Manager at USW, a MENARD Group USA Company. We talk about her career journey and her traveling around the globe, and how that has helped her career, but also how she has dealt with it emotionally. She then also talks about the importance of pursuing your dreams by getting out there and doing what you always wanted to do.

Engineering Quotes:

Maysill Pascal

Maysill Pascal

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Maysill Pascal:

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TCEP 144: How the Coronavirus Crisis Will Change Commercial Construction in the U.S.

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commercial constructionIn episode 144 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Jennifer Goodman, writer and editor at Construction Dive, about how the coronavirus crisis has changed commercial construction and what the general outlook will be for the rest of the year and beyond.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Jennifer Goodman of Construction Dive:

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TCEP 142: Cybersecurity Tips for Civil Engineers Working Remotely During COVID-19

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cybersecurityIn this episode, I talk to Jonathan Hard, CEO and President of H2L Solutions, Inc. (H2L). H2L specializes in cyber and information assurance and provides cybersecurity solutions for government and commercial customers. Jonathan talks about cybersecurity, both what individual engineers can do to protect themselves in the world of homeworking and what engineering companies need to consider, and why the company should be working with the United States government.

Engineering Quotes:

Cybersecurity

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Jonathan Hard:

  • What are some of the key cybersecurity things that homeworkers should be thinking about?
  • Are there any other actions that an individual may want to be thinking about to strengthen their home cybersecurity systems beyond a VPN?
  • Are there things that company managers need to be thinking about with regard to additional items or activities to make sure that their staff is up to scratch with cybersecurity?
  • Can you explain what the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program is?
  • As we look to the future, where do you see the IT industry going with regard to homeworking, businesses, and what you think the new normal is going to look like?
  • How can people get connected with you and learn more about what you and your company are doing?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Cybersecurity:

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TCEP 141: Tips for Civil Engineers on Crisis Management and Becoming Confident Leaders

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Crisis Management

In this episode, I talk with Andy Platz, PE, who is the CEO and President at Mead & Hunt. Andy talks about his career journey of how he went from being a fresh graduate to a CEO of a company. He provides some great crisis management tips to civil engineers and also gives very actionable advice to civil engineers aspiring to become leaders in the field. Andy also talks about how he and other leaders at Mead & Hunt are leading their firm through this COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Engineering Quotes:

Crisis Management

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Andy:

  • Can you please tell us about your career progression as a civil engineer?
  • As a leader of a civil engineering company, how do you manage crisis management at your firm?
  • How has your staff responded to this time?
  • How does one be prepared for something like this pandemic?
  • Was being the CEO a career goal that you had early on in your career?
  • Are there any skills and characteristics that you find in a lot of civil engineering leaders that allow them to be in leadership roles?
  • What is your philosophy on social media and how an engineer and engineering firm should utilize it?
  • How do you think being an ESOP (or having employee owners) impacts the culture of a company?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Crisis Management and Becoming Confident Leaders:

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