Providence

Brian Sullivan

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

I’m passionate about being involved in and contributing to the success of complex projects that require thinking outside of the box to meet the project goals. At PMA I have been assigned several larger complex projects that are unique and provide the opportunity to work with a team to come up with innovative solutions to meet the project needs.

What current project(s) are you working on?

Currently I am working on the following:

MBTA Critical Communications Implementation & P25 Plan for Transit Police-Rail & Bus (CCRTB)
Brown University HTHW Pipe Replacement
Private/Confidential Project: Forensic Scheduling & Claims Support/Expert Witness for Counsel on Private Project in Rhode Island.
LIRR Claims Support
MBTA Claims Support

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

I am inspired by my family to work hard and show my sons, ages 12 and 9, that challenging yourself and working as a team facilitates personal and professional growth. These principles apply to school, sports, and ultimately your profession (when they get older).

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.

PMA’s culture fosters each employee’s professional growth and empowers employees to be active participants in the company’s success. PMA’s upper management engages all employees to be team members to promote the individual’s growth as well as the firm’s success. This is unique in the corporate environment.

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

PMA has created and continues to develop industry-leading software that I am excited to learn more about and implement. Having worked in the industry for over 23 years I have used a number of different tools/software; however, PMA’s in-house software appears to have been developed to serve our clients’ specific needs well.

What university or college did you graduate from?

I earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering at the University of Rhode Island and a masters in civil engineering plus an MBA from the University of Hartford.

I am Professional Engineer licensed in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

We enjoy Narragansett Town Beach and the Trio Restaurant in Narragansett.

What is a fun fact or secret talent about yourself?

I am an avid open water swimmer.

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Angel Arvelo

Managing Director, Boston

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

I need to learn something new every day!!! Thankfully that is something that comes pretty easily at PMA given the great people, clients, and challenging projects with which we are involved. I truly enjoy using knowledge and collaborating with people to find solutions to problems and making sure project objectives and client expectations are met.

What current project(s) are you working on?

For the last 5 years, I have been working primarily with top-tier biomedical manufacturing companies in the development and execution of multiple complex projects, from renovations and expansions of existing manufacturing sites to supporting the penetration into new commercial markets overseas and the transfer of specific operations and technologies.

Who/what inspires you to push yourself?

As an engineer, I have always been curious and motivated by learning something every day and figuring out solutions to the complex problems our projects, clients, and industry face.

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA?

PMA is a very entrepreneurial organization where innovation, dedication, and excellence drive our day-to-day operations. Here at PMA, everyone is always open to collaborating and working together towards achieving common goals.

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

I find it fascinating how technology evolves every day to make our lives easier (most of the time), from communication/collaborative tools that allow us to execute projects with team members across the world to applications that include non-expert stakeholders as part of the process. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, I was amazed how the industry adopted communication and collaboration tools to transition to remote work almost instantly with little impact or even improved productivity.

What university or college did you graduate from?

I earned a BS in civil engineering from the Universidad Católica Andres Bello (UCAB) in Caracas, Venezuela, and an MS in construction engineering and project management from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature?

I’m a city guy and Boston has a lot to offer; it is an incredible city. So, walking around the city, going out with the family, and taking my kids to ride their scooters around town is the perfect weekend plan for me. There is always something going on in Boston.

Provide a fun fact or secret talent about yourself?

I played two semi-professional soccer games when I was younger and scored in both of them (1 in each game). So, I retired at the peak of my career and now my goal average compares well with the greatest strikers in history!!!

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Chris Carroll

Executive Director, Boston

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

The project management work I do fuels my passion knowing the legacy it leaves behind. When I am out with friends or family, I can point to projects, schools, and buildings that I have had a hand in constructing and completing with PMA. It’s really motivating to see all of PMA’s efforts in a tangible form that become a permanent part of the community.

What current project(s) are you working on?

Currently, we are finishing up the Boston Arts Academy, which is the only public performing arts high school in the city of Boston. It just opened in September and is a marvel of a school with unbelievably talented students who are learning music, dance, theatre, and everything related to performance arts. It is unlike any other school that we have built, and it has been challenging and very interesting seeing it all come together.

I am also working on Hingham Elementary School, which is a medium sized elementary school near where I live. I am enjoying the opportunity to contribute to my own community. There are several other projects in progress as well such as Bristol Plymouth Technical High School and Northeast Metro Tech. Both schools are vocational high schools and have a unique purpose in the education system with their much-in-demand vocational training.

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

It’s hard for me to pinpoint a specific inspiration of mine because I feel like my drive is a part of my nature and make up. I’m sure this has a lot to do with my parents, family and upbringing, though. I’ve always had demanding jobs, starting right out of college and never slowing down. My work ethic has me starting at least by 7:00 AM and working straight through the day. This has been my schedule since high school and a “40-hour work week” would seem like a vacation.

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.

I think that having worked at PMA Consultants for over 30 years now, one of the most positive aspects that I have experienced is the ability to identify my own interests and passions and develop a business plan along those interests. Because of this, we have been able to successfully create an OPM group within the New England region that has built or been involved with the construction of over 40 different school projects! It has been very rewarding getting to work on these projects and leave behind a legacy for PMA as well as for myself as an individual.

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

The local OPM market and competition has matured greatly over the past few years. PMA’s advantage has been hiring the best staff, always performing for clients and establishing strong standards within our group. PMA’s innovative NetPoint has allowed us to present a unique industry tool to our clients. Looking ahead in the local project management market, our experienced staff and ability to compete with any firm in our market leaves the door open for many welcome challenges.

What university or college did you graduate from?

I went to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, and I also earned an MBA from the University of Redlands in California while working full time for General Dynamics in San Diego.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

Having grown up on Cape Cod, two of my biggest passions are fishing and eating seafood. There are several restaurants on the south shore of Boston and Cape Cod that I enjoy visiting. They change by the season because a lot of them close during the winter, but there are a lot of nice seafood and sushi restaurants to choose from. If I had to pick one, I’d say the ultimate is Inaho on Cape Cod in Yarmouth Port; it’s consistently been the best sushi for 30 years.

Provide a fun fact or secret talent about yourself.

This is not a secret and maybe not even a fun fact, but straight out of college I started working at the General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding facility, building military prepositioning ships that were 675’ and 42,000 tons each. After that program ended in 1986, I transferred to General Dynamics in San Diego for several years to build stealth advanced cruise missiles for delivery to the US Air Force. My work career prior to PMA involved some major construction and manufacturing projects that are very different from the type of work PMA does. It was a unique experience, and I am very proud of the projects I had the opportunity to work on during that time.

So, a final actual fun fact is that on the day I received my job offer call from PMA in 1992, I was 10 miles off the coast of Cape Cod commercial bluefin tuna fishing and had to explain the process to Gui and Monti on that call─job accepted and here I am, 30 years later.

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Clark McCormick

Senior Director, Boston

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

I love to work on different types of projects, whether that involves being a PM lead, performing audits, teaching contract and cost management, or working on a claims assignment. I have been lucky enough to have worked on a variety of interesting projects over the years, so I have gained valued experience in many different areas. This has allowed me to work on diverse projects and to avoid falling into the proverbial rut.

What current project(s) are you working on?

My current projects include the GSA Volpe Center; the Danvers Meat Processing Plant; the Linden NJ Processing Plant; the Lynn YMCA Project; the Poplar Street Pump Station in Somerville, MA; the Eversource Training Program; and the MITLL Utility Capital Improvements Program.

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

I have always been a self-starter. I try to always be doing something productive.

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA?

I have stayed here at PMA because of the people I work with. My subordinates, peers, and leaders have always been courteous, respectful, and willing to listen to what you had to say. The class of people we hire makes all the difference and creates a positive culture, both in New England and throughout the company.

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

The different automation technologies being advanced in the construction industry are very interesting, and I look forward to seeing how many actually get implemented on PMA projects.

What university or college did you graduate from?

I graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering in 1984.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

The Smithsonian Institute and its variety of museums are fascinating. I also love to watch a baseball game at either Fenway Park in Boston or PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Provide a fun fact or secret talent about yourself?

I was a qualified Officer of Deck (OOD) and Command Duty Officer (CDO) on the guided-missile destroyer Richard E. Byrd -DDG-23; and the USS Nashville – LPD-13 during my active duty service in the US Navy (Surface).

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Deborah Shaer

Senior Associate, Boston

What current project(s) are you working on?

I am currently supporting owner’s project management (OPM) services for the Shrewsbury Beal Elementary School, Saugus Middle-High School, and Sharon High School Projects. All of these projects are made possible by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), a quasi-independent government authority that funds capital improvement projects for K-12 public schools in the Commonwealth.

Do you get to do something at work every day that you love? If so, what is it?

I enjoy managing the cost controls on my projects such as updating total project cost reports, preparing the Propays (MSBA reimbursement submissions) for our clients, reviewing contractor potential change orders, and monthly requisitions. I like working with numbers as it gets the project team (architect, OPM, contractor) paid and gets the Districts their MSBA grant reimbursements. All this keeps the projects moving. Nothing can slow down a project more than an impediment to cash flow.

What is your career highlight so far? (at PMA?)

On the Tahanto Middle/High School project (Tahanto) for the Berlin-Boylston Regional School District, the entire project team – contractor, owner, architect, all of us – was able to come together and split the cost of donating used furniture, sports equipment, textbooks, etc. to an underprivileged school district in Jamaica. It was a wonderful endeavor for all of us to get done.

Donations were made possible by a company called IRN: The Reuse Network (IRN), a recycling center that matches surplus furniture and equipment with charities and nonprofits around the world. Tahanto was the first project PMA collaborated with IRN on, and we continue to do so on current projects such as the Saugus Middle-High School. I think this is one of the greatest things PMA and our clients do.

What is something new or innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

For many K-12 projects, PMA contracts services led by Multivista which specializes in visual construction documentation. Multivista visits the project site during construction and takes pictures as the project is being built. The photos get “assigned” to their respective location in the new building via association with the construction drawings. The client then has access to a website that allows them to see how the building was constructed and to see what is behind the walls, ceilings, etc. This is a helpful tool for whenever future renovations to the building might be needed. This is an exceptionally helpful tool for facilities managers of these new schools as well.

What was a transformative project or challenge that you did at PMA?

I developed a “Communication Plan” template that has been utilized by multiple PMA projects to satisfy the MSBA’s requirement at the beginning of all of our K-12 projects for a Communications Plan.

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

My family – Mom, sister, brother-in-law push me to be the best I can.

What university or college did you graduate from?

BA in Communications from Simmons College, Boston (now Simmons University)
My degree in communications has contributed greatly to my work in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (A/E/C) industry. Accurate, timely, consistent, and clear communication, both written and oral, is essential in any industry. In our industry of construction with so many moving pieces, parts, and “players” to the projects, it is imperative that the OPM as the client’s “gate-keeper” to all project entities (architects, architect’s engineers, contractor, the public, town departments, owners, etc.) be able to craft concise, understandable correspondence to keep all project stakeholders informed of project developments.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

I like the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. I like Fenway Park and the Red Sox too.

Provide a fun fact about yourself?

I am a huge animal lover and give automatic monthly donations to several animal charities including Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), World Wildlife Federation (WWF), and World Animal Protection.

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Dennis Lucey

Executive Director, Boston

What current project(s) are you working on?
We are in final stages of a pharmaceutical expansion and renovation project. The project will deliver additional diagnostic services to a growing public need. It is very exciting to be part of a solution that will positively affect billions of people each year.

Do you get to do something at work every day that you love? If so, what is it?
I love the collaborative atmosphere of PMA. I love working with our teams to help clients solve their complex project needs.

What is your career highlight so far? (at PMA?)
Where to begin…. It is incredibly satisfying to see your efforts manifest in the built space. Over the course of my 20 years at PMA, I have had the pleasure of working on numerous biopharma, transportation, and healthcare projects, amongst others. However, my greatest point of pride is seeing the project management and planning process come to fruition; to be able to help transform a group of individuals into an orchestrated and coordinated project team is very rewarding.

What is something new or innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?
I have had the pleasure of helping implement new project management software tools that have provided owners new ways to collaborate and deliver projects more efficiently. It has been satisfying to see how process and system improvements have enabled better project delivery.

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)
Both of my parents worked in public service (teacher and water engineer). Their dedication to the public good was a true inspiration and has helped lead me to a career when I can help deliver projects that improve society for the good of all.

What university or college did you graduate from?
BS in civil engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 1997
MS in engineering management, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 2000

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?
My favorite places depend on the season: winter = up in the mountains, summer = out on the water.

Provide a fun fact about yourself?
Dennis is actually my middle name. Also, my brother and I share the same birthdate (but we are not twins, we were born five years apart).

Do you have any secret talents?
I love open water swimming and participate in several races and fundraisers each summer.

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Eric Lowther

Executive Director, Boston

What does your job entail as a Managing Director?
Along with a leadership team of Dennis Lucey, Wayne Beauregard and Angel Arvelo, I manage the project controls group in New England. That means identifying and winning new work, recruiting new employees, providing ample opportunities for existing employees to grow, assuring the services we provide are top notch, expediting payment of invoices and maintaining a professional, fun and supportive environment at a profit.

What current projects are you working on?
I am currently engaged on a number of projects here in New England. I am supporting MASSDOT in the resolution of a delay claim on the Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation Project. I am providing interim project controls oversight on the MBTA’s Green Line Extension Project. The team and I have invested considerable time over the past four months pursuing and preparing for new work at Massport.

What is your career highlight at PMA so far?
There have been so many great moments over the years, but I would have to pick my recent twenty year anniversary because it is symbolic to me of all that is great about PMA. So much of today’s professional marketplace is highly transitory, however the factors that contribute to rewarding careers are not. Being appreciated, making meaningful contributions on important projects, being surrounded by those you respect and admire who are stable and enlightened, generous ownership, and a “do the right thing for our employee and client” ethos are why twenty years click by in the blink of an eye.

What is something new or innovative happening in your industry?
I am actively involved with two important innovative trends in our industry, GPM/NetPoint and the new generation of Project Management Information Systems (PMIS). NetPoint/GPM is heavily engrained in each of our assignments yielding new insights and collaboration every day. On the PMIS front, we are seeing a target rich environment of owners looking to invest in new PMIS systems as they embark on large capital programs. I expect that assisting owner organizations navigate the selection, design and implementation of new PMIS systems will be an important growth area for PMA in the next 5 years.

Can you tell us about some interesting places you have traveled to for work?
I have visited several very interesting places while traveling for PMA.

What university or college did you graduate from?
I attended Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.

Fun facts?
When I’m not busy in the office, my wife Brigid and I are busy raising our six children: Conor, John, Maeve, Margaret, Clare and Eileen. We have a child in every even number grade. 12th, 10th, 8th, 6th, 4th and 2nd. This past summer I arranged for an impromptu Bring Your Daughter To Work Day. Perhaps there is a future PMAer in the bunch?

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Jonathan Galuska

Director, Boston

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

I am passionate about all things construction. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in tools, buildings, houses, and how things go together. My career at PMA has allowed me to work for clients and on projects in roles that I would never have dreamed possible. In construction, no two days are the same, and taking on new challenges and assignments daily keeps the job interesting as you watch the construction of massive buildings progress!

What current project(s) are you working on?

I am currently working at the Massachusetts Port Authority on a few of their large-scale Construction Management at-Risk projects. My primary role is providing project controls and project management support to expand and renovate the International Terminal to keep up with increased flight and airline demand.

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

Growing up, I always pushed myself to find the best way to perform a task or learn new ways to do things. More recently, my two kids drive me to be the best version of myself, both professionally and personally. My son learns new things every day, so I constantly try to be a good role model and set a good example.

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.

The best thing about working at PMA is the flexibility and opportunities that are available to everyone. At PMA, everyone is part of the business development team, and I take great pride in growing the trust and relationships with everyone I work with. I have met many great people in my short career so far, and I enjoy staying in touch with all of them. You never know where/when your paths may cross again in the future.

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

I find the level of innovation and technology that an Owner can choose to put into a building fascinating. Whether its state-of-the-art HVAC equipment/controls, dynamic or photovoltaic glass, video walls, interactive sensory rooms, or high-end conference rooms, there is no limit to the amount of technology and innovation you can incorporate into the design. Companies are constantly developing new technology and innovations, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

What university or college did you graduate from?

I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 2010.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

I am somewhat strange in that my favorite season is winter, so I love to ski, so whenever possible, I go to Okemo Mountain in Vermont. Last year, 2021, I skied 35 days and 250 runs.

Provide a fun fact or secret talent about yourself.

My not-so-secret fact is that I am an avid carpenter, and I started my career off building high-end homes before joining PMA. I love to build furniture, and I am slowly renovating each room in our house to make it my own.

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Rob Collins

Senior Director, Boston

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

I have two passions. One is being an owner’s representative on a project and the other is claims analysis. The assignments I am given at PMA allow me to pursue these roles. Basically, my career is my passion and it’s what I enjoy doing.

What current project(s) are you working on?

I am currently working on an underground transmission line project that extends 7.7 miles and carries 115,000 volts of electricity. It includes four trenchless crossings, two are horizontal directional drills, each under a different river, and the remaining two are jack and bores, one underneath a train station and the other under 7 sets of tracks. It is a very challenging project.

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

I would say family in general, as opposed to a specific family member, inspires me to push myself. It is important to me to be a good role model for my family.

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.

The fact that I have been here 30 years says that PMA provides a great working environment with great people. I would say the people are the most positive aspect. Everyone works collaboratively to get the job done and values a team mentality. This creates a culture of shared success, and everyone works to create the best outcomes for the team and client. You are also given the opportunity to pursue your passions if they fall within the envelope.

What is your career highlight so far?

The highlight of my career is a tie between the MassDOT Central Artery/Tunnel Project (CA/T) aka the “Big Dig” with PMA, as well as my time at the Naval Base in Adak Alaska before coming to PMA.

For the $15 billion Central Artery Tunnel Project in Boston, I worked with a fabulous group of professionals in the claims and changes department where I got more “claims & changes” experience in just a couple of years than what most people get in a lifetime.

While I was in the service, one of my assignments for the Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) Office was at the Naval Base in Adak, Alaska. Adak was a very close-knit community of about 5,000 people where all residents were military related (no civilians.) The construction season there was from about March to November. From November 1983 to May 1986 (my tenure on base), I and one other officer were the Project Managers for approximately $100 million of work completed in place. Some projects included:

Building three, 2-million gallon, underground fuel storage tanks designed to withstand a 10’ interior wave in the event of an earthquake.
Rehabilitation of an active weapons compound that was “rumored” to store nuclear weapons (talk about tight security).
A design-build project for 405 family housing units. The 2 and 4-bedroom houses were constructed as complete units (everything done but installing the appliances) in Portland, Oregon and then barged to the island (a 4 bedroom weighted 84 tons).

Apart from the interesting projects I helped to manage while at Adak, I also got to experience the island’s very unique climate. During the 30 months I was stationed there (Adak is located about 1200 miles from Anchorage, 500 miles off the coast of Russia and 700 miles off the coast of Alaska), I saw the temperature reach a high of 70 degrees once, saw a low of 17 degrees, observed winds of up to 133 miles per hour (the island’s nickname is “birth place of the winds”) and rode out many, many earthquakes.

The largest earthquake I experienced was an 8.2 on May 7, 1986, complete with tsunami warning, which required us to evacuate to high ground. During the week after the 8.2 earthquake, we had over 400 aftershocks, some as high as 6.4. Daylight during the winter in Adak, Alaska was from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and during the summer was from about 5 a.m. to midnight.

Could you tell us more about your time in the Navy?

I spent about 24 years in the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps—11 years on active duty and 13 years in the Reserves. During my 11 years of active duty, I had assignments in:

Public Works—I was the Assistant Public Works Officer at the Naval Air Station Willow Grove in Pennsylvania
The Seabees—I was assigned to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FOUR—a 570-person, self-contained (with its own doctor, dentist, chaplain, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, steel workers, equipment operators, equipment mechanics, engineering aids, equipment, weapons, etc.) deployable construction battalion.

During my first deployment (8 ½ months) to Naval Air Station, Sigonella Sicily in Italy, I was the S-2 (Plans & Training Officer) which included Plans, Training, Weapons, Communications and Security. During my second deployment (7 ½ months) to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, I was the C-6 (Charlie Company Commander) where I was responsible for about 70 carpenters and steel workers acting as a construction company. I had two tours as an Owner’s Rep managing civilian construction projects for the Navy. The first was as an Assistant Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (AROICC) in Adak Alaska and the second was as the Assistant Officer in Charge then the Officer in Charge/Warranted Contracting Officer of NAVFAC Contracts at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York.

What led you to PMA?

Destiny maybe? While I liked all of the three different assignment types I had in the Navy, I liked the Owner’s Project Management assignments the best.

In 1984 I was involved in a “large” (by Navy standards at that time) $2 million claim while in Adak, Alaska. I was so busy working on my day to day assignments that I did not have time to work on the claim. As a result, the Navy hired a PMA competitor to analyze the claim and provide me support. I remember sitting in my conference room listening to the claims consultant running through their analysis and thinking to myself, “I could do that. And if I did, where would it be? It would probably be in Boston because that would be the closest to home (northern Maine). I could get a job like that.”

When I was getting out of the Navy in January 1993, I answered an advertisement PMA placed in ENR to work on the Big Dig in Boston and the rest is history.

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

Although not really a “new” concept, Lean Construction is definitely becoming more prevalent.

What university or college did you graduate from?

I received my bachelor of science in civil engineering (BSCE) from the University of Maine and a master of science in civil engineering (MSCE) with a geotechnical focus from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

I would say Bretton Woods Ski Resort in northern New Hampshire is my favorite.

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Shane Wilhelmsen

Director, Boston

What current project(s) are you working on?

I primarily support design and construction of capital projects for MassDOT districts 3 (Worcester) & 5 (Taunton). This scope includes reviewing baseline, progress, and recovery schedules, as well as providing time entitlement analyses for multiple projects as needed by the districts. I am also on the team that just wrapped phase 1 of the MBTA COVID-19 claims task force, with phase 2 looking to begin in the near future.

Do you get to do something at work every day that you love? If so, what is it?

I love being able to analyze a complex problem and come to a definitive solution.

What is your career highlight so far? (at PMA?)

The highlight for me so far is definitely all of the great people I get to work with at PMA. The PMA team is filled with incredibly intelligent, hard-working, creative, and fun people. I’m proud to have such fantastic colleagues and be part of the PMA team!

What is something new or innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

I get very excited about the impact of new technology – smartphones & tablets allowing for faster data reporting from the field, drones taking site photos, improvements to project management software – all exciting stuff!

What was a transformative project or challenge that you did at PMA?

One of my most satisfying challenges has been working on the Building 9A/9B project with Dimeo Construction. The project involved building a large hanger to be used for submarine construction. The monthly invoicing was based on the project schedule, and as a government project there were strict requirements for cash flow reporting. It was a challenge, but it felt great to be a part of that team and achieve an on-time completion (especially with the final few months being during COVID-19).

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

My parents have always been incredibly supportive of me, and a major inspiration in all my endeavors.

What university or college did you graduate from?

I graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2001.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

Well, for the past six months or so it’s probably just been my back porch grilling nice cuts of steak or salmon. But historically I love Widowmaker Brewing (right by our office in Braintree), and getting up to the North Conway, NH area!

Provide a fun fact about yourself?

One winter season I multitasked by doing an entire marathon training cycle on the treadmill while reading through the Game of Thrones series (A Song of Ice and Fire if you want to be literarily precise). Long books helped make the long runs go by!

Do you have any secret talents?

I like to think I can cook pretty well, but only if I have a very detailed recipe to go by without any experimentation/interpretation required. Cook until an internal temperature of 135 degrees? No problem. Cook until just slightly browned/fragrant/etc.? I’m mildly panicked. I’m an engineer, not an artist!

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Wee Orwatthana

Associate, Boston

What current project(s) are you working on?

Currently I am working on a laboratory and pharmaceutical expansion and renovation project.

Do you get to do something at work every day that you love? If so, what is it?

I enjoy leading meetings: ensuring that everyone is on the same page; assigning responsible parties, action items, and deadlines; communicating team conclusions and next steps for team alignment, problem-solving, and planning. The beauty of it is not only the learning curve and knowledge I’ve acquired while preparing and orchestrating the meetings and summarizing notes for wider audiences but also getting to see what the team discussed and built up transformed into reality. I believe enjoying the process of doing something is as important and meaningful as enjoying the outcomes.

What is your career highlight so far? (at PMA?)

My career highlight is my 3.5 years experience at PMA working on a laboratory and pharmaceutical renovation project. I have been implementing schedule control and monitoring, interactive planning sessions, and schedule analysis to develop and maintain schedule as well as align team expectations and execution plans for a complex, full operating, and uninterrupted manufacturing site. Because of the success of this project and the additional capacity, the client was able to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been able to utilize the new facility to start production, aiming for over 50 million COVID tests per month.

What is something new or innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

I am excited about the concept of a hyperloop for public or freight transportation. It would be good to have high speed transportation with more energy efficiency.

What was a transformative project or challenge that you did at PMA?

Developing and maintaining project master schedules, creating document workflow diagrams, and being highly involved in process control systems scope with multiple parties from different locations are all challenges. These are very complicated and technical subjects, totally new to me, and challenging to the entire project team.

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

My grandfather, who was born in a rural area in Phuket, Thailand inspires me. He started everything from zero: from an employee of a grocery shop in a farmer market in Phuket town to a business owner in the hospitality industry. He is my role model for working, perseverance, and contribution to community. “Work like you own it” and his dedication for everything he did no matter whether it’s for his family or others is the starting point of his success and is one of the most valuable things I’ve learned from him.

What university or college did you graduate from?

I received my bachelor’s degree from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

I earned my master’s degree at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. This is where I was introduced to PMA through my professor, Gary Jentzen!

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

My favorite local establishment is the American Repertory Theater.

Provide a fun fact about yourself?

I traveled approximately 4,500 miles – 5 days 4 nights via Amtrak Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Lake Shore Limited train through Los Angeles – Sacramento – Portland – Montana – Minnesota – Chicago – New York – Boston with 2 checked bags and 2 carry-on bags while enjoying the view, food, and chatting with other passengers. That’s how I moved from LA to Boston by myself in 2013 after living there a year and a half. It’s also exactly 7 years ago this month.

Do you have any secret talents?

Fruits and Vegetables Carving. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/WeeMyCarving/

VIEW OTHER PMA PEOPLE

CURRENT OPENINGS

Related Insights

Contact

Brian Sullivan

PMA People

Brian Sullivan

Angel Arvelo

Chad Crittenden

Chris Carroll

Clark McCormick

Deborah Shaer

Dennis Lucey

Eric Lowther

Jonathan Galuska

Rob Collins

Scott Osika

Shane Wilhelmsen

Walter Hartley

Wee Orwatthana

Brown University Systems Renewal and Upgrade

General Dynamics Electric Boat Universal Building

Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance Program

Boston Landing Redevelopment

Providence

Related Insights

Contact

Brian Sullivan

PMA People

Brian Sullivan

Angel Arvelo

Chad Crittenden

Chris Carroll

Clark McCormick

Deborah Shaer

Dennis Lucey

Eric Lowther

Jonathan Galuska

Rob Collins

Scott Osika

Shane Wilhelmsen

Walter Hartley

Wee Orwatthana

Brown University Systems Renewal and Upgrade

General Dynamics Electric Boat Universal Building

Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance Program

Boston Landing Redevelopment

Brian Sullivan

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

What current project(s) are you working on?

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

What university or college did you graduate from?

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

What is a fun fact or secret talent about yourself?

Angel Arvelo

Chad Crittenden

Chris Carroll

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

What current project(s) are you working on?

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

What university or college did you graduate from?

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

Provide a fun fact or secret talent about yourself.

Clark McCormick

Deborah Shaer

Dennis Lucey

Eric Lowther

Jonathan Galuska

Rob Collins

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

What current project(s) are you working on?

Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.

What is your career highlight so far?

Could you tell us more about your time in the Navy?

What led you to PMA?

What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?

What university or college did you graduate from?

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?

Scott Osika

Shane Wilhelmsen

Walter Hartley

Wee Orwatthana

Brian Sullivan PE, PMP

Education

Affiliations