Amanda DavyRomano
What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?
Continuous learning is my passion. I am a firm believer that we never stop learning or growing. PMA certainly is a company full of people that are big on learning, which makes it fun to collaborate and knowledge share. We learn from each other every day.
What is your career highlight so far? (at PMA?)
My time at Peoples Gas has really become a career highlight for me. I started out as a scheduler, supporting Peoples Gas as a subcontractor to the company that was leading the PMO at the time. Fast forward to today, nine years later, PMA has a long standing, thriving relationship and direct contract with Peoples Gas who looks to us as the primary contractor for their project controls needs. I now lead a team of 10 supporting this client. This engagement over the years has provided opportunities for me to grow in several different aspects of my career.
What current project(s) are you working on?
Currently, I lead the team supporting our Peoples Gas client here in Chicago. Peoples Gas is the gas utility for the city of Chicago and is undergoing a major infrastructure improvement program to replace approximately 2,000 miles of natural gas pipe throughout the city. PMA is providing project controls support for this long-term program.
Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)
Overall, I just want to be the best I can in anything I do. When I see results and feel accomplished, whether it be in my work or personal life, I am inspired to keep going, keep growing, and keep challenging myself.
What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.
The people and the culture are some of the best parts of working here at PMA. I have always felt like I am part of a community, not just here in the Chicago office, but throughout the company as well. PMA really invests in its employees and that can be seen in the people we all work with and is a testament to why people have been here 10, 20, 30+ years.
What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?
Over the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to experience the growing trend of software focused on data visualization and analytics, like Power BI and Tableau. Our team supporting Peoples Gas has really embraced this trend and has developed a suite of interactive dashboards in Power BI. As a result, Power BI has become the main data visualization and interactive reporting tool used widely throughout the client organization.
What university or college did you graduate from?
I received my bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois.
What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?
I’m a bit of a foodie and I live in Chicago so there are way too many great restaurants to choose from. One of my favorite things about Chicago, though, is the lake. I grew up around boats and the beach and boating is still a big part of my family today. There is just something about being out on the water and the view of the city just never gets old. The only thing that would make it better is if we could actually enjoy it year-round.
Provide a fun fact or secret talent about yourself?
I’m pretty boring when it comes to secret talents, but a fun fact is that I still to this day hold the high jump record at my grammar school.