Member Spotlight Archive
Winter 2022 Member Spotlight
Name: Veronica P. McBeth, MSL
Company: Kittelson & Associates
Title: Associate Planner
College: UMB College of Law; Univ. of Pittsburgh
Degree: MSL,Environmental Law; B.A.Political Science and Latin American Studies
Graduating Year: 2018
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? Spending 10 years of my career on Capitol Hill and then at the state level, I felt I could make the most change and impact to the transportation industry by transitioning to local government where I could be the boots on the ground. It’s an entirely different animal when you have the opportunity to be the change that you were working and legislating for. Even the transition to being a consultant still allows me to work at the local level and sometimes even more micro levels to pursue the transportation planning and engineering skills that excited me and drew me in from the beginning.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I do look up to someone as a mentor ... actually two people in my firm have been very supportive and instrumental in my professional life (Ed Myers - WTS Baltimore Man of the Year 2016; Bailey Lozner). Especially since my transition from the public sector to private sector.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? Bureaucracy and constituent concern over active transportation infrastructure. I continue to have open communication, transparency about projects, and involve the community from the beginning to the end.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? I would like to be in a higher leadership role at my firm, conducting more sessions in the industry regarding equity impacts in transportation at the national level.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I enjoy spending time with m daughter and son. As well as traveling, hiking, biking, trying new restaurants and spending time with friends.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I got involved with WTS when I started working at MDOT under Secretary Beverly Swaim-Staley in 2010.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? Life long professional and personal friendships. Being in the same room and being an equal with people who have significantly more experience and leadership in the industry. Getting so much 'free' knowledge and advice from the best in the industry.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? Baltimore City Bike Share; Maryland Ave. Cycle Track; Potomac Street Cycle Track; Charm City City Circulator
November 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Theresa Dion
Company: RK&K
Title: Project Engineer
College: Virginia Tech
Degree: BS in Civil Engineering, Minor in Green Engineering
Graduating Year: 2014
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? As a child I was always interested in Math and Physics. My childhood dream job was to design roller coasters. Once I started studying Civil Engineering in college, I realized that I could take my interest in geometric design and put it to use on something that is extremely important to people's daily lives.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I have been incredibly lucky to have excellent mentors at both RK&K and WTS. Danielle Hankins is someone I really look up to. When I began to take on a leadership role in WTS as a Chair/Co-Chair of the WTS mentoring program, I was still very early in my career and new to a leadership position. When Danielle became a Co-Chair as well, I was able to see her management skills up close. She demonstrated exemplary organization and preparedness for every meeting and event, and through our time working together has offered me tremendous feedback and advice on running meetings and team collaboration that I used during my time of WTS leadership. In my career, I have adapted some of these skills when working on a team and coordinating with others.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? Starting my career, I was really strong technically, but communication skills came to me less intuitively. I struggled my first few years, and quickly recognized that developing those skills was going to be an important part of my career development. I have worked on developing these skills by participating in RK&K's chapter of Toastmasters "Heard in the Herd." We have meetings twice a month and practice both scheduled and impromptu speaking skills. I have also taken a brief course in professional writing and the Dale Carnegie Leadership course which have also given me the chance to get more practice communicating. At this point in my career, I feel more confident in my communication and am more often understood.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? I see myself at RK&K continuing to be connected to the technical side of projects, but also developing as a leader. I hope to be involved in projects that have a positive effect on peoples' day to day livelihoods.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I really enjoy Camping and Hiking. I particularly like doing long weekend trips to scenic places on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I also love performing music from all ages and sing in the "Handel Choir of Baltimore."
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I got involved in WTS in 2016 when I was a Mentee in the WTS mentoring program. My mentor, Valorie LaCour, encouraged me to come to WTS events and get involved. Later, I got a call from one of the mentoring Co-Chairs at the time encouraging me to join the mentoring committee. I joined, and have been an active member ever since.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? WTS has provided me with an opportunity to connect and expand my network in the industry. Because WTS is filled with so many encouraging people, I have grown in confidence and have been able to build my leadership skills in a positive environment.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? One of the projects I am the most proud to have contributed to was the Bay Bridge All Electronic Tolling (AET) conversion project. The project had a lot of moving parts, and through the course of the project, our team adapted really well to the changing demands. The project is currently under construction, and I am excited to drive along the new configuration when it is completed.
October 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Christine Sutkowski
Company: RK&K
Title: Senior Project Engineer
College: University of Delaware (undergrad), University of Maryland (grad)
Degree: BS Civil Engineering, MEng Civil Engineering
Graduating Year: 2011, 2015
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I first joined the transportation industry based on job opportunities available to me, but have been pleased with my experience in this career path. I was uncertain about which discipline of civil engineering I wanted to commit to after graduating college. During my first job in roadway and bridge construction, I realized that I wanted to learn more about the various aspects of the transportation industry. I moved on to join the transportation planning group at RK&K and found that it was a great fit for me because planning has allowed me to gain design and leadership skills, work on many different types of projects, and expand my technical knowledge based on project needs.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? Yes, I look up to my managers Karen Kahl and Jeff Roberta at RK&K as informal mentors. They demonstrate qualities that I strive to replicate such as strong decision-making, multi-tasking, delivering presentations with confidence, and keeping the clients’ best interests in mind. On a personal level, both Karen and Jeff encourage me to seek out development and leadership opportunities and I know that they are invested in my success. Outside of RK&K, I stay in touch with my mentor from the WTS mentoring program, Veronica McBeth. Veronica was a great match for me because she offers unbiased advice, urges me to focus on advancement, and can see situations from a different viewpoint. Based on my experience, I highly recommend a formal mentoring program like the WTS program!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? A major challenge I faced early in my career was feeling a lack of support to advance and reach my career goals. This challenge led me to seek out and accept a new position with a defined career path and more opportunities and take graduate classes part-time to enhance my capabilities. I’ve learned and continue to value the importance of frequent and honest communication because of this initial challenge. I also keep in mind that while I have a supportive community around me, I must advocate for myself.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? In 10 years, I hope to be leading or have a hand in a variety of inventive projects while supporting and providing direction to my own team. I would like to be a part of obtaining new or unique work that would allow me to continue to expand my knowledge and push me to be flexible and creative.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I enjoy reading and practicing yoga. Cooking is a necessity I picked up during the pandemic, but have grown to like as a hobby.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I first got involved with the WTS Baltimore Chapter through the mentoring program in 2016, as a mentee. I continued to stay involved with the Chapter after the program by joining the membership committee and later taking on the role of programs chair. Today, I stay involved as a member of the communications committee and attend as many programs/events as I can.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? The benefits I've experienced through my membership in WTS include making connections, learning new things, and practicing leadership skills.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? My first job prior to working with RK&K was on the construction of the Indian River Inlet Bridge in Bethany Beach, DE. It is one of the few and projects and the largest that I have worked on that has been constructed. It gives me pride each time I drive or walk over it knowing that I had a small part in ensuring that the bridge was built safely. More recently, I am proud to have contributed to the I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes NEPA Study. The Study has been fast-paced and complex, but has allowed me to expand my technical knowledge and make important decisions. I am proud to be part of a large team working on the Study and P3 program.
September 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Heather U. Macon
Company: Pennoni Associates, Inc.
Title: Senior Bridge Engineer
College: University of Delaware
Degree: B.S. Civil Engineering; M.S. Civil Engineering
Graduating Year: B.S. 1999; M.S. 2001
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I took an architectural design class in high school which sparked my interest in the structural engineering world. Once I started college at the University of Delaware, I was drawn to the bridge design. I was always interested in math and science classes as a child, so becoming an engineer was a natural progression for me.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I have been blessed to have several mentors throughout my career. They have all played different roles in shaping my career and building my confidence. The female mentors were especially great since they showed me how to maneuver being a female in the male-dominated transportation engineering world. I have learned how to keep a daily work journal for taking notes and making to do lists; to be confident in my abilities as an engineer; and to be able to admit to yourself and others when you are unsure how to do a specific task.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? The biggest challenge I faced as an engineer was having a lack of confidence when I was in a room filled with male engineers who seemed to have way more knowledge than I did. Thankfully after seeing how one of my female mentors navigated this issue, I steadily began to gain more confidence. today, I am proud to say that I am the most confident I have ever been in my career.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? In 10 years, I see myself in a senior management position at Pennoni.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? Some of my hobbies include going for walks, crocheting, reading, and spending time with my family. I also love going to cultural events such as plays, dance performances, and museums.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I originally found out about WTS by attending the annual luncheon with one of my former bosses. I met many women there who inspired me to join. I became involved with WTS in 2018, and I started by participating in the Transportation YOU program. I have since moved on to become a committee member for the Mentoring Committee.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? Being a part of the WTS mentoring committee has been a great experience. I have benefited by gaining a larger network, making new friends, and seeing young female engineers become more confident in their roles.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? I was the lead structural engineer and project manager responsible for overseeing the structural design and plan development of soldier pile and concrete facing retaining walls and cast-in-place concrete retaining walls for a staircase within the Ellicott City Parking Lot E (Howard County, MD project). Due to hard granite soils being present under the Lot E wall, coordination with the construction contractors was crucial to make sure piles were rock cored to the appropriate length. The project turned out to be a beautiful work of art.
August 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Nadiya Kutishcheva
Company: Sharp & Company
Title: Project Manager, GIS Data Specialist
College: University of Maryland
Degree: B.S. Marketing, Supply Chain Management
Graduating Year: 2018
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I have always been inspired by how transportation options influence development of communities. While attending high school in rural Montgomery County and later the University of Maryland in College Park, I discovered the independence that combinations of local cycling paths, the bus fleets, branches of the WMATA, and the Brunswick line gave me. These methods of transportation allowed me unprecedented access to explore and discover my city for the first time. Through these experiences I came to understand the impact transportation access has on individuals too young to drive, unable to afford/personally refusing to drive a car, as well as its important role of consolidating commuter flow between sprawling rural/suburban housing and urbanized employment. It has been fascinating to observe the volume of people using alternative transportation when it is available and the exponential environmental impact that follows. Today, I am incredibly excited at the opportunity my job gives me to combine my degrees in Marketing and Supply Chain Management to support transportation development.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? Working at Sharp & Company – a small, woman-owned business – has allowed me to make personal connections with all my coworkers. I am inspired in different ways by the talents of the creative team, the organization of executive decision makers, and the hard work of my fellow project managers. Being able to connect with all my coworkers allows me to consider, reconsider, and reconsider again various paths and opportunities as I advance in my career.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? My initial position at Sharp & Company was one based around developing in-person events and outreach. I had been building up experience and momentum, which was halted by the Covid-19 Health Crisis. It was a challenge to reevaluate the final goals of our projects and consider new tools that could be learned to reach them. I used this time to begin self-study of open broadcasting applications/livestreaming and geodata (ArcGIS software). This new skillset turned into an eventual new product offering for the company, development of a new geodata department within the company, and my new position of GIS Data Specialist.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? My work experience so far has provided me the confidence to explore more STEM-adjacent skills and opportunities. I hope to continue improving my geodata skillset through university courses, self-study, and active applications to my projects. In ten years, I hope to serve the role of Architect/Manager for transportation problem solving and collaborate with a team of both creative and engineering talent.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? Interest in transportation follows me after working hours. I love to travel to new cities - by rail if possible, and cycle when I get there. Aside from transportation, I love thrifting, swing dancing, and lip syncing to show tunes!
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I was encouraged to join from my colleagues at Sharp & Company. It has been very exciting to be a part of WTS as a member a part of the Communications Committee.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? My favorite part of the WTS Experience has been connecting with other members of the Communications Committee. I can’t wait to meet them in person someday!
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? Out of many projects, I am most proud to have been a part of WMATA’s Platform Improvement Project. It is inspiring to have participated in several cycles of the multi-phase project, including planning, advanced communication, service disruption/ alternative operations, 24/7 construction progress, and finally the much anticipated reopening. Observing rider interest, dependency, and excitement for the project has been inspirational, and regularly reinforces my giddiness for a career in transportation.
July 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Adrienne Barnes
Company: KOBA & Associates, LLC
Title: President & CEO
College: University of Baltimore
Degree: Master's
Graduating Year: 2006
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in Communications. It was not until I was appointed Chief of Communications for the Baltimore City Department of Transportation that I became fascinated with Transportation. I learned so many amazing things, working with Engineers, Design Consultants, bridges, roadways, traffic devices, construction, etc. I aligned myself with any and everything having to do with Transportation. While in Graduate School, I became the President of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) where I expanded my knowledge and growth. I have joined many other organizations that are related to the industry and serve on several committees. I now own and operate my own business as a small firm that provides support services to Prime Contractors in the field of Transportation.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? There are so many people that have inspired, motivated, and contributed to my career growth that it is hard to just name one person. I have been blessed to have encountered some of the most wonderful and gracious people that have just been amazing to me. I will speak about this one gentleman, who I just adore immensely and that is Dan Cheng, formerly of Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) he was very instrumental in helping me when I was the President of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) President when I started the Economic & Development Luncheons that ha now become the annual signature luncheons for the Chapter. This event raises money each year and has become a popular event and one of its most notable occurrences for the Chapter. Dan was gracious to meet with me, guided me, and provided access to the Engineer Club where the event was held. He also assisted with gaining support which has been recurring throughout the 11 years since the first luncheon. I will forever be grateful for how he embraced me and did not know much about me during that time. I came into the Chapter as President with little or no money in the budget and managed to raise a substantial amount of money by the end of my tenure. The luncheon continues to be a strong hit to this day. This helped propel and shape my career because if afforded me the opportunity to gain name recognition throughout the Industry.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? One of the biggest challenges I am facing in my new career as a businesswoman is maintaining a great outlook and staying the course to be my very best each day. It gets lonely and can be quite discouraging, especially during this year of the Pandemic where work slowed down and there seemed to be no end to any of this. There were so many times, where I fought with myself to quit and find a real job with steady pay. Oftentimes, contractors use the same sub-contracting firms over and over and breaking through can be challenging and discouraging. I now work on a committee with another organization to help bring that change and to help new firms speed date with Prime Contractors to get them noticed and recognized. I must say staying plugged in to organizations such as WTS, working on committees, meeting people and taking advantage of the many resources the state has to offer small businesses kept me going and helped me to maintain a positive outlook. I took the time out to learn all I can through the Governor’s Office of Small Businesses, that host a series of short classes on almost every topic. Challenges is what makes one strong and keeps you going no matter how dark it gets. I am determined to beat those odds and press forward to be successful. I was once told that everyone has their winning season, with patience, determination and a positive outlook, I have no doubt that my season will eventually come.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? I see me growing personally and professionally. Personally, I see myself as a wife since I will be getting married this October 2021. Professionally, I want to become much more engaged in the Transportation Industry through my business and my work on the many committees I am involved with. I actually would like to become an Officer in WTS and a member of the Board with the hopes of serving on the National level. I am currently engaged on the National level as a member of the Diversity & Inclusion committee as well as locally. I love working with WTS and see great things for its future. It is a well-respected organization that I am honored to be a part of. As far as my career, I am working hard to accomplish many things that would make my firm successful. While owning your own business is challenging and some days I want to throw in the towel, I am staying the course and will do what I can to remain active and engaged. I see myself as having many more employees and becoming a notable and respected name in the industry.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I love spending time with family and friends in my leisure time. I have a big family who lives all over the United States and I love traveling to spend time with them. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my new little niece who just turned 1. She absolutely amazes me, and I love spending time with her. I also love giving back by speaking to young people about career choices especially those hidden secrets in the Transportation Industry that many young people are not aware of. I volunteer to help seniors with food delivery especially during the pandemic and volunteer on committees at my church. Volunteer services are the best and I enjoy giving back and being helpful to those in need. I also love spending time with my fiancé, who is my best friend, my biggest cheerleader and my confidante.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? My colleague, Valorie LaCour at the Department of Transportation got me involved with WTS in 2010. I absolutely loved being a part of a circle of women with such energy and talent in the transportation industry. In 2012, I was named Woman of the Year which was an amazing honor that I will forever cherish. When Janie Tiedman was President, she asked me to speak at a series discussing the challenges of Women in Transportation, we became very good friends and remain good friends to this day. Today, I am still very much involved in WTS and happy that I am a part of the newly-formed Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committee, Membership Committee and the Corporate Sponsorship Committee. I recently joined the National D&I Committee sub-group. I was elated to co-moderate the Black History Month program sponsored by the D&I committee this past February which featured four amazing women. I hope to expand my involvement with WTS in the coming years and continue to contribute in a major way.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? There are many benefits to being a part of this wonderful organization. First, I would say, I enjoy meeting and becoming friends with some of the brightest and most highly recognized women in the industry. I have met so many women from both public and private sector and I have learned from every one of them. I also enjoy meeting monthly on the committees I serve to discuss the many things to enhance the organization. Just this past February, I was given the honor to co-moderate the Black History Month program which featured four amazing women. We were tasked with developing the questions individually to each of the panelists and developed general questions. It was amazing and so much fun, we received glowing feedback from the participants as well as the panelists. This is the most amazing organization to network in and to make some very distinguished friends. I became a member while in the public sector, but now that I have my own firm, it's even more exciting and rewarding to network and meet some of the most fascinating people in the industry while becoming familiar with so many levels of Transportation and its components.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? One of many projects I am most proud of was when I was appointed Chief of Communications for the newly formed Office of Transportation after it branched off from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works to become its own Department. Through legislation, it later officially became the Baltimore City Department of Transportation. During that time, it had no official Public Information/Public Policy unit. I was tasked to create this entire unit from scratch without having any material or prior history. Creating anew meant the website, logo, brand, information material, etc. With only one other employee, a hard deadline to completion, and no official graphic person, we worked tirelessly to complete the long list of deliverables set forth. We eventually found a graphic person that worked at our sign shop, interviewed a list of long-time employees from each Division and researched the history of the office. With the assistance of staff, we gathered up some old photos of bridges, roadways and other accomplished activities and successes to create the Website and other informational brochures. The sign shop employee provided us with options for a logo and helped create a brand and I developed a slogan. After working day and night, we managed to pull together a presentation of our ideas to present to the Director, his Deputy and the Division Heads. We were both nervous and anxious as I endured long hours, no sleep and an appetite to make this the very best presentation of my career. It came off as hit and the logo is still affixed on all DOT equipment, material, uniforms and the like, the website (other than it being updated) still uses the same format and much of the same language as we developed. It is one of the proudest and most profound work of my career.
June 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Rebecca Williams
Company: RK&K
Title: Project Engineer
College: Penn State
Degree: B.S. Civil Engineering
Graduating Year: 2013
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? For me, it was baby steps. First I decided to become an engineer because I’m good at math and science and it pays well. Then I decided to study civil engineering because I preferred concepts and problems that I could easily visualize--pushing down on a beam, not chemical interactions or magnetic fields. Within civil engineering I found transportation to be the most interesting. For the other disciplines, it seemed like the numbers were the bulk of the work--computing loads or velocities. With transportation, there are usually several ways to achieve your goal, but you then have to decide which alternative is best. Do you widen the road to the inside or the outside? Can you avoid those light poles? Will this ADA ramp design work with the existing terrain? It's more creative engineering, and I find that very appealing.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? While I’ve had a number of people that have taught me and helped me, I have two people that I’d qualify as mentors: Melinda Peters and Ryan Barth. Melinda and I were paired up as part of the WTS Mentoring program back in 2016, and we have maintained a wonderful mentor-mentee relationship long after the official program ended. Ryan was my boss at STV, where I worked for nearly 7 years after graduation, and I learned a lot from him.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? My biggest challenge that I’ve faced so far was leaving my first job. I had become unhappy with my role at STV, but it was the only place I’d known as a full-time employee, and I loved the people I worked with. After talking with my now-husband, my parents, and Melinda, I eventually realized that it was time to move on and find a firm that would be more interested in growing my project management skill set instead of continuing to use me solely as an engineer. It was tough enough to come to that conclusion, but I also had to figure out which firms I wanted to interview with, and THEN compare the offers I wound up getting. After all, everyone’s going to tell you what you want to hear when you’re interviewing. Ultimately I chose RK&K, and I’m happy I did. It was beyond stressful to start a new job at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but my colleagues have been very supportive, and I’ve already been made Deputy Project Manager of two different projects.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? Hopefully, I’m still at RK&K working as a project manager--running a few different jobs but still getting to engineer a little on the bigger projects. By then I’d probably also have a mentee, either at RK&K or at WTS (or both!)
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? During COVID, my husband and I got very interested in camping and try to go at least once a month. I like painting, though I don’t paint as much as I’d like (my artist desk became my work-from-home desk during the pandemic). I also garden and do little home improvement projects around the house.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I got involved in WTS in 2016 when I joined the mentoring program. Barbra Mosier, an old coworker of mine, told me about the program and encouraged me to apply. I’m very happy she did! Because of my wonderful experience with the mentoring program, I wound up joining WTS, where I have continued to expand my professional circle and have now moved onto leadership positions within the organization.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? I’ve benefited in two ways from joining WTS. First, it’s a wonderful place to network. I’ve always felt that WTS has a more comfortable and inviting social dynamic than some of the other, more well-known professional engineering societies. Second, it’s been a great place for me to flex some organizational and leadership muscles in a lower-stakes environment. Planning a happy hour isn’t the same thing as designing an interchange, but they both require coordination, delegation, monitoring your budget, etc.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? The project I’m most proud of is Port Covington: Chapter 1B. I worked on Port Covington for 6 of my 7 years at STV. The first half of that time was spent on the Master Plan, but things became much more real when we started to work on actual construction documents. The project was exciting by itself, but it also facilitated some big steps in my career. I started interfacing with the client, which was something I had wanted to do for years. I also took on a larger role with coordination--first with the STV team members, but then with the subconsultants on our team, outside consultants that the client brought in, and the teams designing the buildings of the development. There were some long hours and some near-breakdowns along the way, but we delivered a quality product on time and on budget. I get a little thrill every time I drive by the project site; I can’t wait to walk down the streets I helped design!
May 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Andrea E. Lake, PLA, LEED AP, ISA Certified Arborist
Company: Floura Teeter Landscape Architects
Title: Senior Associate / Senior Landscape Architect
College: Pennsylvania State University
Degree: Landscape Contracting with Minor in Horticulture
Graduating Year: 2001
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I was working in a field I didn't really enjoy after college, and a friend recommended me for a position at a transportation engineering consulting firm. I found I really liked the projects, the people, and the challenge that transportation projects offered. I am a collaborator by nature, and transportation projects are just that: collaborations. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a project you worked on being built, and over the years, it's continued to be rewarding to watch ideas come to life.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? While I don't have an "official" mentor, I've been fortunate to have many people help guide and advise me throughout my career. I've worked with so many wonderful men and women over the years, each one with something unique and valuable that they've passed on to me. For the past four years, Joan Floura has been someone who I've turned to for guidance. She really listens and her encouragement has helped me grow more confident in my skills and abilities.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? One of the biggest challenges I've faced in my career has been work-life balance. As a single mother who works a full time job, I try very hard to achieve the highest standards in both my work life and home life. Sometimes one or the other has to give a little bit, but I consider myself very lucky. My company allows me to work from home with flexible hours, so I'm able to further my career and be there for my son at the same time.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? I am not really sure where I see myself in 10 years, but I hope it's a role that continues to challenge and fulfill me.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? Outside of work, I'm an active volunteer at my son's school and hold several positions in his elementary school PTA. I enjoy reading, going to concerts, hiking, and baking (when I have the time!). I also have a new puppy that keeps me very busy.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? In 2017, I was looking to join a professional organization where I could give more of my time and network with other women in the industry. I attended a couple of WTS events and found I really enjoyed the camaraderie these women shared and the network they'd developed because of their involvement in WTS. I initially joined Programs Committee and found I enjoyed helping to plan programs and events throughout the year. I've also had the opportunity to participate in Introduce a Girl to Engineering events and the Next-Level Leadership group.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? WTS has given me so much. I've been able to connect with a network of wonderful, dynamic women who I really admire. I'm excited to be Co-Chairing the Programs Committee this year and be part of the inaugural Next-Level Leadership class.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? In addition to my involvement in WTS, I've been fortunate to work on some of the largest Design-Build and P3 projects in the Mid-Atlantic area. Projects like the InterCounty Connector, Transform I-66 Outside the Beltway P3, and the Purple Line P3 are all projects I'm proud to have been part of.
April 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Corren Johnson
Company: MDOT State Highway Administration - District 5
Title: District Engineer
College: NC Agricultural & Technical State University/University of Maryland Global Campus
Degree: BS in Civil and Environmental Engineer / MS in Project Management
Graduating Year: 2003 / 2009
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? Since the beginning of civilization, transportation has been a necessary part of everyday life. It connects people to each other, provides opportunities, expands our experiences, and has a great impact on our way of life. A career in transportation is sustainable and with the ever-changing world, it can be exciting while challenging.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I have had many mentors throughout my career and each one has given me valuable insights that have shaped my career. My most recent mentor started out as a stranger. I was at a point in my career where I felt the need to find a mentor outside of my normal circle, someone who was outside state government. While getting tires replaced on my vehicle, he and I started talking in the waiting room. As our conversation continued, I found that we had certain similarities although his experience was in the private industry and focused on nuclear engineering. I took a chance and asked if he'd be interested in becoming my mentor. Over the years, he has helped me learn to communicate in a more confident way, has been a sounding board and support system when I've been going through opposition at work, and has given me tips to aid in my development as a leader.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? One of my biggest challenges I've faced in my career has been the high expectations I set for myself. Because of these high expectations and this trait of perfectionism, I've put too much pressure on myself. I also found that I would spend an extreme amount of time trying to get a task, letter, or email perfect which would lead to other tasks being delayed. I had to learn that most times, good is good enough. I've learned to determine when I need to get something perfect and when it can be good. This has also allowed me to be less critical of myself if I make a mistake .... and as a leader, I am able to have realistic expectations for others.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? I always have a hard time saying where I see myself at some point in the future. Over my career, I have learned to live in the present. What I mean is I have diligently worked to perform well in my present position while constantly improving my skills and expanding my experience. I am a constant learner and look for ways to excel where I am. Then I keep an eye out for opportunities and rely on my faith to see where the next step might take me. What I've found is that the experiences and training received in the 'now,' have always prepared me for the future.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? Work - life balance is very important to me! Outside of my career, I am a Pastor and love to serve others, I am a soccer coach, volunteer Hospitality Committee Chair at my son's school, I am an artist, and love to cook!
How and when did you get involved with WTS? Early on when Transportation YOU first got started at Patterson High School, I signed up to be a volunteer mentor. For many years I continued to work with the girls and looked forward to our projects, field trips, and special events. Once I became District Engineer in 2017, my office location and duties prevented me from making the meetings anymore. My co-mentor Pam Destino reached out to me in December 2020 to see if I'd be interested in serving as a Director-at-Large for the 2021 Board.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? The greatest benefit I find in being a part of WTS is being surrounded by so many diverse, intelligent, and professional women that have a true desire to help each other. We know as women we wear many hats and titles. This is a group where we can relate with others, quickly handle business, mentor and strengthen each other, and make a difference in people's lives.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? US 50 Severn River Bridge, MD 261 Chesapeake Beach Streetscape and Bridge Reconstruction, MD 175 BRAC widening projects, MD 254 Cobb Island Bridge
March 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Chrissy Nizer
Company: MDOT MVA
Title: Administrator
College: Goucher College, Rutgers University
Degree: Bachelor's in Political Science / Masters in Public Policy
Graduating Year: 1997 / 1998
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I knew that I wanted to be involved in public service from an early age. Originally I was focused on education policy and even spent a year at the U.S. Department of Education. I wanted to see a more immediate impact to my work and came back to the state. Through my career I have had the benefit of working for several different state agencies but my most rewarding time has been at MDOT MVA. The ability to impact the lives of every resident in Maryland and connect them to life's opportunities while working alongside our great employees motivates me every day.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I have been fortunate to have many people in my career who helped guide me. That is part of the reason I feel such a passion about helping others. John Kuo a former MDOT MVA Administrator was instrumental in my career because he saw the potential in me to rise within the organization, when I did not see it in myself. His encouragement and guidance helped me get to where I am today.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? I think we tend to look at the challenges in front of us as the most difficult, certainly no one anticipated that we would be leading an organizational through a pandemic, while undergoing a major IT system modernization. That being said, I try to look at each challenge as an opportunity, how can we look at things differently and improve the services we provide.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? It is hard to say where I will be in 10 years but I hope I am in a role that is just as fulfilling, where I am able to help people and make a difference.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I love sports and going to the beach. I have a dog Bailey who is 15 years old and my constant companion.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I started attended WTS events when I first came to MDOT MVA 15 years ago. Our leadership appreciated the importance of supporting organizations like WTS.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? I have met many wonderful people through WTS. Now participating on the Board as a Director I am incredibly impressed with the dedication of the board members, committee members and countless volunteers.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? I very much enjoyed participating in the WTS Mentorship Program. I strongly believe that it is part of my responsibility as a leader to give back to others and share my own experiences. I also find that I learn just as much from these programs as I give.
February 2021 Member Spotlight
Name: Serese Aranha-Scott
Company: Brudis & Associates, Inc.
Title: Director, Highway Design Division
College: North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (Bachelors) / University of Maryland College Park (Masters)
Degree: Bachelors in Civil Engineering / Masters in Civil Engineering
Graduating Year: 1994/2004
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I first became interested in the transportation industry during 11th grade physics. I enjoyed the lessons related to forces and structures. Once I got into college, I later focused my coursework on traffic engineering.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I've never had real mentor. I primarily look to my parents and good friends for advice. I excited to seek the input and advice from women within WTS. One person that has helped me shape my career is Ray Dagher. He has always taken time to explain concepts, answer questions, and provide suggestions in both technical and professional areas.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? I'd say the biggest challenge has been not establishing a professional network early-on, even after working for so many years. To overcome this challenge, I'm looking ahead and making a change. I've become involved with WTS Baltimore, WDCSITE, and ACEC/MD.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? I'm sorry to say this, but I have no idea! I am currently in the middle of one goal, which was to become department director. That is going well, and I'm continuing to learn at this level.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? Outside of work, I enjoy walking and puzzles and problem-solving games, home improvements (painting, decorating, gardening), and decluttering. Before the pandemic, I was doing reformer pilates. I am looking forward to getting back to that when things get back to normal.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I initially began going to some of the WTS luncheons about 7-8 years ago. I then decided I wanted to become more involved and volunteered fro Transportation YOU at Patterson High School. It was rewarding to demonstrate to the high schoolers that transportation is a potential field for them. I also joined the Communications Committee for two years and represented WTS in organizing MEGA Maryland. I am now very excited to be the 2021 WTS Baltimore Chapter Secretary.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? WTS membership has brought me a real sense of camaraderie and support in the transportation industry. It is inspiring to get exposure to the various pathways that various women have taken to succeed in transportation. Membership helps me keep an open mind to possibilities.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? One project that I am most proud of was the MOT design for MD 355 at Cedar Lane – Advanced Utility Breakout Contract. This was one of the BRAC projects near NIH. MDOT-SHA decided to perform the extensive utility relocation ahead of the actual roadway work. I became involved during Final Review and was tasked with managing the MOT design for the utility relocation. The work was on a six-month schedule, involved regular partnering meetings and numerous consultants. The challenge was to create adequate workspace to install multiple utilities within a high-traffic area with limited space and limited work hours. We developed temporary traffic control for 6 “Work Areas” (plus sub-phases). The “Work Areas” created more flexibility for the contractors to install individual utilities based upon the location of the work rather than what utility was being installed. The MOT design also had to accommodate pedestrians with a temporary path and maintain truck access at NIH. This project had several women project managers on both the client and consultant side. I gained a lot of confidence while learning the full scope of the work and still remember many of the details of this project.
December 2020 Member Spotlight
Name: Denny Finnerin
Company: Gannett Fleming
Title: Transportation Engineer
College: West Virginia University
Degree: BS Civil Engineering
Graduating Year: 1997
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? From an early love of building "cities" with matchbox cars and legos and an obsession with This Old House, I have always loved engineering. Transportation engineering, particularly planning, allows me to work with many different disciplines and never get bored or stop learning new skills.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I have been fortunate to count many people as mentors over my career - far too many to name, but one of my biggest mentors is certainly Bill Hellmann -- I cannot thank him enough for all he taught me. It is important to never stop learning, and in the past few years I have learned so much from my co-workers, older and younger, including Josie Boyer, Bhavani Thotakura, Steve Hawtof, and as I have taken on new a skill set, particularly McEwan Van der Mandele.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? My biggest challenge has been not being my own best advocate. This is a hard lesson to learn and even harder to practice regularly. However, if you don't advocate for yourself you cannot expect others to do it for you. You are your best cheerleader! I think as women particularly, we struggle with that - it goes against everything we were taught as girls.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? In 10 years, I hope to still be working on interesting, challenging projects; learning new skills; and meeting wonderful, talented people.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I sing in bands (pre-pandemic), read far too many books, and lament how quickly my 10-year old son is growing up.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? When I joined Gannett Fleming, Josie Boyer said to me, "Girl, you're coming to the next WTS meeting with me!" And I haven't looked back. It is such a rewarding organization, filled with great people, whom I miss seeing in person now that we are all stuck at home. Hopefully we will all gather together in person again soon!
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? WTS has allowed me to meet and get to know other women in our industry that I may not necessarily work with on my projects.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? Working in planning has allowed me to work on large projects that eventually come to fruition, such as US 301 in Delaware, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel project, and more recently the MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit Project in Montgomery County, which is progressing to final design.
November 2020 Member Spotlight
Name: Michele Stamm
Company: AECOM
Title: Water Resources Engineer
College: University of Maryland, College Park
Degree: Civil Engineering
Graduating Year: 2013
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? When it came time to look at colleges, I was encouraged by my parents and teachers to apply to engineering programs. I was always interested in architecture and infrastructure growing up and developed an interest in environmental science in high school; this led me to choose a major in civil engineering. I had the opportunity to intern at the MDSHA Highway Hydraulics Division during my junior year at University of Maryland and from that experience knew I wanted pursue water resources work within the transportation industry.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? My current supervisor is someone I’ve looked up to as a mentor during my time at AECOM. I often seek her out for technical guidance, as well as advice on career advancement. She has always encouraged me to tackle new challenges and responsibilities and has been instrumental in my professional development.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? Early in my career I struggled with feeling underqualified when presented with a design challenge or increase in responsibility outside my comfort zone. Becoming an active member in WTS, specifically participating in the mentor program, has aided me tremendously in overcoming this challenge. My WTS mentor helped me to expand my professional network and set clear career goals which has helped me to develop more confidence at work.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? In 10 years, I would like to continue to be involved in the design process of transportation projects. I enjoy coordinating with other design disciplines and helping to develop young engineers, so I hope to be involved in the management side at that point as well.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I love hiking, traveling, reading, skiing, swimming and crafting.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? A colleague encouraged me to apply to WTS’s mentoring program four years ago and have been a member ever since. Over the past four years I’ve become active in WTS’s Transportation YOU program and have done work with other WTS members at AECOM to promote WTS membership and involvement.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? I have really enjoyed my involvement in the Transportation YOU program. The opportunity to work with the staff and students at Patterson High has been a rewarding experience. I look forward to my visits to there each month.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? One of my favorite projects I’ve been involved in was the replacement of the Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington D.C. It was humbling to be part of the project to rehabilitate this historic bridge that serves as a gateway to Arlington National Cemetery.
October 2020 Member Spotlight
Name: Lindsay Wood
Company: Sharp & Company
Title: Project Manager
College: Missouri State University
Degree: Political Science
Graduating Year: 2004
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I studied Political Science during college and moved to Washington, DC after graduation to pursue a career in policy and advocacy. I knew I wanted to be a part of something that made people's lives better, but I was passionate about so many things that I had a hard time narrowing my focus. In 2010, I began working with the FAA to raise awareness about the benefits of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and soon found myself managing communications for the office that was responsible for interagency planning and development of the program. After a brief stint in television production, I returned to the transportation industry last summer. As a Project Manager at Sharp & Company, I have enjoyed being able to plan and execute public outreach campaigns for a broad array of transportation projects, from long-range plans and feasibility studies to website redesigns and mobile app launches.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I've never had an "official" mentor, but I've learned many important lessons from coworkers and managers throughout my career. Right now, each member of Sharp & Company's executive team plays a unique role in my professional development. Between the four of them, there is such a wide-ranging wealth of knowledge and experience that I always find myself learning something new. They have also empowered me to trust my own professional instincts, which has made me more confident and resilient.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? I think I will always struggle with "professional wanderlust." I am interested in so many different things that I often find myself considering various "what if" scenarios, wondering what life would be like if I had become an architect or a chef or other any number of things that I’ll never actually be. At some point, I found that this kind of thinking was getting in the way of my ability to enjoy the career path I was already on. I ended up taking on creative side projects as a way to combat these feelings, but I also think that making my creative aspirations known to employers has played out more positively than I might have expected it would. When I started voicing these interests to bosses and coworkers, they found ways to let me explore them within the context of the work we were involved in.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? Given my answer to the last question, you can imagine how difficult it is for me to answer this one. I really enjoy my job right now and would like to continue honing my project management skills while learning more about managing the creative aspects of a project. Most of my jobs have required me to rely primarily on the left side of my brain, so I’d like the opportunity to use the right side more often since that is where I feel most rooted.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I love cooking, thrifting, traveling, running, reading, hiking, camping, and hanging out with dogs.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I am lucky to work for a company that values and encourages professional development. Almost as soon as I started with Sharp & Company, I was encouraged to become involved with WTS.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? So far, my favorite part has been getting to know the other members of the Communications Committee. I've also appreciated the opportunity to brush up on my Content Management System skills!
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? To be honest, I am proud to be a part of any project that improves safety, sustainability, and quality of life for all communities… not just the ones with the loudest voices or the most influence. Since this is a fundamental part of my job, I find satisfaction in every project I am a part of.
September 2020 Member Spotlight
Name: Ines Nizeye, AICP, AI/PE
Company: Tindale Oliver
Title: Assistant Project Manager
College: University of Memphis
Degree: Master of City and Regional Planning
Graduating Year: 2015
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? My first exposure to transportation projects was in graduate school. At the time, I worked on a Rails-to-Trails project that connected Memphis, TN to West Memphis, AR. That was the first time I realized the impact of an efficient transportation system in connecting people to places. It also broadened my view of transportation as not just motor roads and highways, but also pedestrian sidewalks, trails, greenways, etc.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I look up to both my mother and brother. I learned hard work from my mother. She is the hardest working person I know. My brother possesses similar qualities, but I also learned how to build relationships from him. He can talk to anyone. At work he is very personable and admired by his peers. My on-going goal is to effectively work with people, and I try to watch my brother. Other times, I call him for advice.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? One thing I did not fully learn while I was in school was how to effectively deliver information. I have been realizing that how a person delivers information has a big impact on how it is received. You can do the best work on a project, but if delivery is not right, the project may not fully be embraced. Thus, I have been looking out for resources on effective communication so that I can effectively deliver what I am passionate about.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? I see myself continuing to work on great projects at Tindale Oliver and involved with WTS. I hope to have an impact on younger professionals through service and mentorship
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I love being outdoors, whether it is hiking or running. If the sun is out, I want to be out too. I enjoy reading, cooking, having a great talk with any of my close friends.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I officially joined WTS in 2019 after attending a panel discussion for small businesses. One of the panel members encouraged attendees to get involved in local transportation organizations, one of which was WTS. I looked up WTS and started attending social events. From that first event, I never wanted to miss any planned events.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? I have met the smartest and most engaging women through the organization. I have developed great friendships, and I now have several colleagues that I can reach out to for input and advice. Every time I attend a WTS event, I end up having a meaningful and insightful conversation with someone in attendance. I have also benefited from the mentorship program. I had a wonderful mentor!
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to?
A few years ago, I worked on the implementation of Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) in Southwest Missouri. This was my first project out of graduate school. It was challenging and new, but the plan had been well-written. I was also fortunate because the public was eager to see this project through, and the other planners who had worked on the plan were also involved. I learned three things from this project:
- Use all available resources to guide the work. In my case, it meant taking advantage of the public’s knowledge and their willingness to be involved.
- Discipline and organization always help to keep the project on track.
- Do not be afraid to ask for advice and help.
August 2020 Member Spotlight
Name: Mindy Barnowski, CPSM
Company: Straughan Environmental, Inc.
Title: Marketing Manager
College: Elizabethtown College
Degree: BS in Business Administration, Marketing & Management
Graduating Year: 2002
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? To be honest, the transportation industry chose me! I’ve been in the AEC world for 18 years and transportation for the last 6 with Straughan. I love that there are always new challenges around every bend of the road. Watching Straughan’s engineers and scientists make a difference in our communities is one of my favorite parts of my job!
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I’ve looked up to so many people along the way, but my dad has been my mentor all along. He set an example of strong work ethic and it has shaped who I am today. He’s still the first person I turn to when I need to talk something out or develop ideas. I’ve learned from him passively and actively over the years and continue to value his wisdom and unwavering support of my endeavors.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? Letting go. I’m a doer, so learning to think before I either do or delegate has been a challenge. I’m part of an amazing team with diverse skills, so it’s gotten easier. It’s also been fun to delegate and watch others succeed. While I’ll probably always fight the instinct to get things done immediately, I’ve developed new habits to organize and prioritize my work so that my days are intentional and focused.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? This is a tough one, and it is the question of the year for me! I want to continue to make an impact as part of the Straughan team by scaling up our proposals, messaging, and strategy to win new and exciting projects. I’d also like to be more proactive in mentoring others in the field of marketing. I’m looking forward to a decade of sharing and learning!
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? All things creative. I love photography, graphic design, crafting with my two children, and generally coloring outside the lines of life!
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I was encouraged to join and get involved in WTS shortly after I joined Straughan in 2014. I was hesitant at first, feeling like a fish out of water as many members are directly involved in client work and I’m non-technical. I quickly discovered that the opportunity for learning and networking more than made up for my hesitance.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? I’ve made so many great relationships and have grown in my career because of the amazing connections I’ve made through WTS. The best decision I made was to get involved. I’ve also been serving on the Programs Committee for almost 5 years and continue to enjoy contributing to several of WTS’ successful events.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? From a marketing perspective, I am incredibly proud of Straughan’s recent rebranding effort, which recently won an SMPS Maryland Key Award for Brand Identity. I love the creative aspect of my work, and this project gave me the opportunity to put all of my creative energy to good use! From a project perspective, Straughan recently contributed to the I-95/Belvidere Road Transportation Improvement Study, MDTA’s first fully virtual public meeting due to COVID-19. Our team prepared animations, converted a PowerPoint presentation to video, recorded the voiceover, and more. I am proud to have been involved in the voice and animation aspects of the project.
July 2020 Member Spotlight (2 of 2)
Name: Nancy Boyd
Company: WSP
Title: Director, Civil Engineer
College: Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington State
Degree: Geology
Graduating Year: 1987
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I got my start with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) working as a field geologist with a geotechnical drill crew up at Mt. St. Helens. We were doing the advance location work for the last 8 miles of the new Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I've found inspiration and learned from many great people throughout my career. One person who may be familiar to you is Paula Hammond, the new chair of the WTS International Board of Directors. She was a great role model to many of us at WSDOT and continues to be here at WSP.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? Like everyone, I've had many challenges, or as some would say "personal growth opportunities" throughout my career. One of the more recent was my move, 3 years ago, from public to private sector. Simultaneously, we also moved from the west coast to the east coast, and became empty nesters. My colleagues at WSP made it easy to make the adjustment, and WTS has helped me form new friendships with other great people in the industry.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? I hope I continue to have opportunities to work on great projects and initiatives, and to work with great people!
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I'm a hiker. Not an overachieving hiker, mind you. More of a zen hiker. Hiking is my happy place. I'm also an avid reader and enjoy playing the piano.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I occasionally did things with the Washington State area WTS folks, but I didn't really get involved until I moved to Maryland. Soon after I arrived, I was invited to participate on a panel sponsored by the Diversity and Inclusion committee, and I've remained as a member of the committee ever since.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? The WTS sponsored events are great networking opportunities. But what I enjoy most is working together with the other members of the Diversity and Inclusion committee.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? I'm still really proud of my work on the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway - that was unforgettable. Currently, I'm honored to serve as WSP's Project Manager for our role on the GEC team for the Harry Nice/"Mac" Middleton Bridge (in a JV with our JMT partners). We have a great GEC team, supporting a great MDTA team, working with a great Design-Builder (SCM - Skanska/Corman/McLean). It's fun to see our early work come to fruition. Looking forward to the formal groundbreaking in a couple of weeks!
July 2020 Member Spotlight (1 of 2)
Name: Clea Baumhofer
Company: Toole Design Group
Title: Project Engineer
College: Johns Hopkins University
Degree: Civil Engineering
Graduating Year: 2014
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I first became interested in transportation in high school, when I discovered a love for bridges and big pieces of infrastructure that can symbolize a city, like the Brooklyn Bridge for New York. As I learned more about civil engineering, I became interested in how people interact with infrastructure and how we as engineers can improve that experience. Now at Toole Design I focus on active transportation design, making biking and walking on our streets safer and more enjoyable.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I am very fortunate to have many people I look up to as mentors, but one in particular is my colleague Tina. She is really connected to the mission of our work in improving safety for all roadway users and reminds me to center the well-being of individuals in my engineering designs. At the same time, she practices everyday mentorship of many young engineers at our firm, and she is the kind of caring mentor I would like to become one day myself.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? For me, the biggest challenge is being the bad guy. In my years as a construction inspector, and now as a project manager on design projects, there's times when I have to put my foot down to get the project delivered correctly and on time. I overcome this personal discomfort by focusing on the goal of a safe and successful project .
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? Rather than trying to see into the future, I have preferred to work as hard as I can in my current role and see what opportunities that brings. Right now, I am focused on learning and growing as an engineer so I can deliver projects that have a big positive impact. In 10 years, I would like to be able to look back on a body of work, in Baltimore and the region, that represents a concrete improvement in how people get around in their daily lives.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I have several musical neighbors and we have formed a casual chamber ensemble. Three to eight of us get together weekly for dinner and music in non-COVID times. In summer, I love hiking with my dog and heading to the beach.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I first became involved with WTS in 2018. I was looking to join a professional organization and the dual mission of WTS in advancing both women and the industry really appealed to me. Spending more time with a group of smart, hardworking women was an easy decision.
What benefit(s) have you experienced from your WTS membership? I have enjoyed connecting with women across the region that I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise, from the industry chats like the conversation with Chrissy Nizer to mentoring opportunities like working with young women interested in transportation in TransportationYou.
What project(s) are you most proud to have contributed to? I am most proud of our Lynn Street project in Arlington, VA which just wrapped up construction in June. This project included safety improvements and at several intersections along Lynn St and Lee Hwy, widening the Custis Trail, and re-imagining the streetscape and entrance to Gateway Park. The corridor serves a key connection between Arlington and DC for cars, bikes, and pedestrians. While the original design occurred before my time at Toole Design, I managed our team's role as the Engineer of Record on the project, and it represented for me the melding of my background in construction inspection with my current role as an active transportation designer.
Spring 2020 Member Spotlight
Name: Lindsay Ewell
Company: Rossi Transportation Group
Title: Jr. Traffic Engineer
College: University of Delaware
Degree: Bachelor of Civil Engineering
Graduating Year: 2016
What inspired you to pursue a career in the transportation industry? I was exposed to transportation engineering fairly early on in my college career, and quickly found it interesting and was intrigued by the variety of career paths. I enjoy being able to work in a field that is solving problems that have a positive impact on the community.
Do you have anyone that you look up to a mentor? How has this person helped shape your career? I was paired with a great mentor in the WTS Mentoring Program. While I've only been her mentee for a few months, Veronica MacBeth has been invaluable with helping me set career goals and have more confidence in myself and my work. She's helped me see projects from a new perspective and consider public opinion.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How are you overcoming this challenge? I've encountered a few instances where I don't have a subject matter expert readily available to bounce ideas off of, or to offer more in-depth knowledge. I've had to learn through other resources, including through my work on-site at MDOT SHA's Travel Forecasting and Analysis Division.
Where do you see yourself in your career in 10 years? In 10 years, I see myself with my PE and PTOE, and hopefully leading a small traffic group at Rossi.
Outside of your career, what are some of your hobbies? I really enjoy traveling and exploring new places. My college friends are scattered across the country, so I'm given a good reason to visit and see some new places at the same time.
How and when did you get involved with WTS? I got involved with WTS shortly after I started at Rossi in Spring 2018. My boss, Rita Ossiander, introduced me to the organization and after my first event (a tour of BWI airport), I was hooked.
What has been a benefit you have seen from your WTS membership? I've met some pretty awesome women through this organization. We're still in a predominantly male field, and having a group of women that supports each other and is always willing to offer guidance and friendship has been amazing.