John in 100 Words or Less
I am a Roadway Designer working with geometrics, highway safety, storm sewer design, quantities and plan preparation – standard roadway transportation stuff. I earned my civil engineering degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 2009 and have my PE license. I really enjoy the technical side of designing, it’s the deadlines and budgets that ruin all the fun.
I try to spend as much free time as possible with my awesome wife and super amazing two-year-old daughter. The less things we have planned, the better. I’m finally old and grumpy enough that I enjoy doing nothing.
The Speed Round
What was your first job?
Grocery store janitor
Next item to cross off your bucket list?
1.) Make a bucket list
Best concert you’ve attended?
I saw Kid Rock open for Limp Bizkit in middle school. It was incredible.
If you could have a cup of coffee with anyone, who would it be and why?
George Carlin – He had the most entertaining take on the insanity of human existence.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Artist of weird, mediocre, colored pencil drawings.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl
Sweet or salty?
Salty all the way. Salty for life!
What household chore do you hate the most?
Folding 800 tiny little toddler clothes. Besides that, my kid is the best.
If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be?
Falling asleep
Cook in or eat out?
Cook in, as long as my wife is there to make sure I don’t ruin it.
Do you make your bed every morning or leave it unmade?
Why would anyone ever make their bed? Please explain.
Listener or talker?
Wannabe listener. Unfortunately talker.
If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, which color would you choose?
Black goes with everything for any occasion.
Tell Us More
What sets ms apart from other engineering & architecture firms?
I came to ms straight out of college, so I don’t have much to compare. The team of coworkers I interact with on a regular basis are all really great on both a personal and professional level. Cliché comment warning: employees make a company.
Which project are you most proud to have been a part of, and why?
Due to the massive size and impact of the I-70/I-71 Interchange, it’s at the top of my list. It was well underway when I began here in 2010 and continues to be split into multiple phases for construction. First project I did any tangible design work on and still remains the most complex project I know of.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
“None of these grown-ups have any idea what they’re doing either, buddy.”
What would you go back and tell your 22 year old self?
Calm down.
You’ve got one day in Columbus. What do you do?
ZOO DAY! Might need two days, that place feels like it’s 40 square miles.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
With fam: Quality family time stuff—walks, shopping, chillin’, dancing to awful kids’ camp songs, arts and crafts.
By myself: Arts and crafts, cardio, crossing chores of my list (not doing the chore, but physically crossing it off my list).
Any final words?
“Anything is possible when you have no idea what you are talking about.” – Unknown