I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2008 and began my career with Whiting-Turner. I came into the construction management world with little "real world" construction experience and have been simply absorbing knowledge, grinding, and making meaningful connections along the way. Almost 16 years later, I remain there and have progressed from the role of project engineer to project manager. Along the journey I've discovered where my strengths, weaknesses, and passions lie, which is critical to growth and development in any field.What I've learned separates me from other people is the focus I place on making true connections with colleagues, clients, subcontractors, designers, developers, etc. These relationships have a direct impact on your everyday life and can help shape your future. I promote a very positive work environment with all of my teams to ensure everyone enjoys their time at work and learns the critical skills required to be successful both in the construction industry and in life.The beauty of this industry is that so much of what you learn is translatable to just about any professional field. It is a true melting pot of people working together to build something beautiful. Navigating the obstacles and challenges that inevitably present themselves along the way requires a combination of skills, experience, and creativity that is difficult to quantify. Throughout my career, I've worked hard to ensure that I continue honing all of the skills required to be successful in this arena. It is a journey that is still in progress, but for anyone reading this, you now have a peak behind the curtain into who I am and what I value professionally.