Mark Buchenic Joins ms

Mark Buchenic, PE, joins ms as the Vice President of Regional Operations Eastern Ohio. Mark, a proud graduate of Youngstown State University, brings 35 years of work experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries to his new role at ms; He has held leadership roles for numerous years and has experience managing large and complex infrastructure projects.

What drew you to ms? How did you land here?

I was born and raised in the Youngstown area, but I never worked at ms. After college, my career took me to Maryland, Columbus, and Akron for the last 27 years. That was until ms leadership reached out to me with an opportunity to return to my hometown and work for them. 

What are you most looking forward to in this role?

I am looking forward to establishing new relationships and reconnecting with existing ones. I plan to do this with local contacts, inter-office staff and colleagues, and other members of the community.

As a new hire, what has really stood out to you at ms so far?

I truly appreciate my initial welcome by other staff members, both personally and professionally. Working with talented staff and multigenerational owners has made this a much smoother transition.

What advice do you have for someone beginning their career in the AEC industry?

Focus on your technical skills early on in your career and always network within your industry and community to strengthen your relationships. Your success will not only be based on how strong your technical capabilities are but the relationships you build.

Where do you see the AEC industry in the next 10-15 years?

The AEC industry has really changed since COVID-19 with the remote/hybrid working environment. I do not see this changing, in fact, I believe it will continue to evolve more remotely, especially with advancements in AI technology.

Any final words?

First impressions are everything to an individual’s character and reputation. Be true and honest. People will remember you for that.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Probably a professional athlete, but I soon figured out that it wasn’t in the cards for me. As I grew older, I loved math and solving problems, which led me to engineering.

What inspires you, inside or outside of work?

Being given a new challenge or trying something new, inside or outside of work, has always inspired me. You can’t be worried about failing. Just do the best you can, given any circumstance you are faced with.

If you had an extra hour of time each day, how would you use it?

I would definitely utilize this extra hour with something physical such as bike riding or working out.

What is a hobby you always wanted to pick up but never did?

Playing a musical instrument, either the drums or guitar.

Night owl or early bird?

Early years – I was a night owl. Now – an early bird.

What is the farthest you’ve traveled from home?

Munich, Germany, and I attended the Oktoberfest.

What is the best dish you can cook?

I can make really good pasta sauce and meatballs, and stuffed cabbage.

What was your favorite TV series as a teenager?

I really enjoyed all of the old sitcoms. Some good ones are “Gilligan’s Island,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” and “Green Acres.” We also watched a lot of sports (my father enjoyed all types of sports) on TV while I was growing up.