Juan Carlos Angeles
What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?
I get fulfillment from bringing ideas into the physical world. I’ve always had a talent for it. I’ll have a picture in my head, and I’ll turn it into a digital graphic. I’ll turn the graphic into a sticker, or into an embroidery pattern, or some other physical product. Throughout my career, and now at PMA, that enjoyment comes from being presented with an interface design and figuring out how to develop it into an interactive program using code. There’s a feeling of satisfaction in turning a screenshot of pixels into a functioning application feature.
What current project(s) are you working on?
I currently work with the Innovation Team on Project Summit. Project Summit combines the full detail of a P6 schedule with the simplicity and presentation of a NetPoint schedule. Unlike other Gantt chart software, Project Summit generates logic-driven summary schedules in seconds, allowing owners and contractors to collaborate on everything from recovering from delays to modeling change orders while maintaining full vertical integration. Project Summit is currently available internally to PMA and being tested with select external customers.
Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)
Living in Detroit, there’s so much opportunity in every field as the city re-establishes itself. I have various friends in the city who dedicate time and focus into their respective crafts: art, fashion, real estate, etc. They are gaining local and national media attention. Being surrounded by people who are ambitious in their own pursuits, everyone encourages each other, every conversation feels inspiring, and I stay motivated to continue to push myself toward greater success in all my endeavors.
What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.
There’s a lot to like about PMA. There’s a culture of growth within the company, and PMA is willing to invest in its employees. I was initially hired as a web developer, but when plans changed, I was fully supported and encouraged by PMA to become certified as a software developer. The transition was made as smooth as possible. The devotion to innovation is commendable. The bulk of my career was spent working in GovTech where bureaucracy scaled back, stalled, or killed many projects. PMA develops its own software, and the Innovation team continuously seeks feedback to improve the products. There is a feeling of pride in the development of the software unlike any other job I’ve worked before.
What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?
Machine learning/artificial intelligence in the tech community is undoubtedly the most innovative and disruptive technology we’ve seen in a while. As tech people, particularly developers, we’re always looking for ways to do more with less. Optimization is the top goal in tech. AI has exciting potential to streamline a lot of wasted effort for significantly quicker results and automation, but it also has the potential to make some existing human jobs obsolete.
What university or college did you graduate from?
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Business–Management Information Systems from Oakland University in Rochester, MI.
What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?
Some of my favorite places in Detroit:
- Arts/Culture: Parkman Branch Library, Detroit Institute of Arts
- Recreation: Stonebridge in Rouge Park, Eliza Howell Trail
- Restaurants: Taqueria Mi Pueblo, Supino’s Pizza
Provide a fun fact or secret talent about yourself?
I’ve been a sneaker enthusiast since I was in high school. Over the past 10 years, I’ve collected over 120 pairs of sneakers, mostly retro Air Jordans and other Nike Basketball shoes. My all-time favorite sneaker is the Jordan Retro V (Black/Metallic).