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ms Q+A: Ron Zinn

ms Q+A: Ron Zinn

Abbie Linek

June 20, 2024

Ron in 100 Words or Less

Ron Zinn is a Senior Project Architect who oversees the coordination of all architectural work with clients and other consultants. After growing up in Taiwan, Ron came back to the United States for college. He attended college in Texas for one year, then transferred to The Ohio State University and graduated with a degree in architecture. Since then, Ron has worked at numerous firms, gaining experience in most phases of architecture. He has even had the opportunity to return to Taiwan and be a dorm parent, teacher, and soccer coach at Morrison Academy in Taichung, Taiwan, the same high school he attended as a kid. Ron has three kids and enjoys spending time with family and friends in his free time.

The Speed Round

We heard you’re an avid mug collector. Can you tell us more about that?
I grew up in Taiwan and attended boarding school starting in sixth grade. We were not allowed to have coffee until we were juniors in high school, so that is when I started drinking coffee and never stopped. I enjoy all the different mugs.

 

How’d you get started collecting mugs?
I seem to have always collected something. When I began working and saw all the mugs people had or handed out, it just seemed natural to start collecting.

 

What’s your favorite mug, and why?
That is a tough call. I like my Taiwan mugs because they remind me of ‘home’, but I also really like my red General Insulation mug. I like the color red, and the shape and feel of the mug is just right.

 

Farthest you’ve traveled from home?
For me, home is both Ohio and Taiwan, so traveling between the two is the farthest I have traveled.  I have also been to many countries in Asia and enjoy traveling.

 

Night owl or early bird?
Night owl

 

Favorite candy?
Peanut M&M’s, Butterfinger bars, and Baby Ruth.

 

If you had an extra hour of time each day, how would you use it?
I would probably read more.

Tell Us More

What sets ms apart from other engineering & architecture firms?
The general work atmosphere is the best I have encountered so far.

 

Which project are you most proud to have been a part of, and why?
Here at ms would be the first Pilot Flying J project – it was the first one for the firm and myself, so it was a new experience for everyone involved, and we made it happen!

 

If you weren’t an engineer, what would you be doing?
Running a coffee shop or doing some type of carpentry work.

 

What is the best career advice you have ever received?
Since many of us work in retail, a previous boss once told me: “You are working in retail; the client will change things. Don’t let it upset you or make you mad.”

 

What are the biggest challenges you face on a day-to-day basis when it comes to meeting client/project needs? How do you deal with these challenges?

In the commercial architecture industry, we have to be willing to adapt, as many changes can occur when working on a project. To ensure we’re on top of things, we try to stay up to date with standards, track all changes, and continually manage the process.