Today is International Women’s Day, a worldwide celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and a call to accelerate gender equity. At Michael Baker International, the talented women in our Wolf Pack are delivering excellence and leading our industry.

In honor of International Women’s Day, we sat down with some of the exceptional women who are Making a Difference each day for our company, clients and communities. Read on to know them better!

Polly Boardman, PMP

CTS PMO Director

Reno, Nevada

Tell us about a woman who has influenced your career. How has she impacted you?

My mom is a retired college professor. Since I was young, she always expected my best work, whether it was in music, sports, school or a job. I admire how she was effective and assertive, yet compassionate, for all of her employees and colleagues. She urged me in school to speak up and to not be scared to have the answer in class, including making me read books about how girls are taught not to speak up in school – a behavior that has been encouraged in American children for many decades. She made me go to school in England and in Lincoln, Nebraska, as a kid, to get exposure to other cultures and then to experience being a new student so I would know what it felt like to be an outsider and to make new connections. Because she did this, I am able to read people very well and to make conversations with people I don’t know in order to make them comfortable, both very beneficial talents in our line of work. She also empowered me to be competitive, despite being empathetic, stating, “You don’t have to hold yourself back to make sure everyone around you is taken care of; you need to think about what you want in life and then go for it.”

What’s something that you’re particularly proud of?

I have four kids (two I adopted when they were young and two who are my biological twins) whom I raised as a single mom while I advanced my career at Michael Baker. Now that all four are grown and out on their own, either in college or recently out of college with jobs, I am proud that I never compromised my commitment to being there for all of them as they grew up and my equal commitment to learning and advancing my capabilities and my team at work. I set an example for my kids to work hard, be competitive yet compassionate, and to maintain a healthy work-life balance as they enter into the challenges of adulting.

Monet Laws

Human Resources Business Partner

Hamilton, New Jersey

What do you love most about your job?

The people. I know this sounds cliché, but I enjoy and like the people I work with. I work in a department and Region where my team members feel not like co-workers, but family. I also love that I am not a number. It means a lot when executive leaders know your name and make you feel valued and a part of the team.

What advice do you have for other women in our industry?

Anything is possible. No one will knock on our door and hand us this fantastic career with a bow on top. However, we can get there if we work hard and remain confident and consistent. Balance is key, and things are changing for women in our industry and the world. Also, remember those behind us. When you make it, pay it forward someday.

Lorna Parkins, FAICP

Office Executive – Richmond

Richmond, Virginia

What’s something that you’re particularly proud of?

I have raised four children while working and advancing my career at my own pace, and my now-grown children’s success and choices in life remind me that our family successfully navigated many challenging years, and we are all stronger for it.

What advice do you have for other women in our industry?

Hold true to your values and let them be your guide through work, family and life choices. You hold the throttle on your career, and you can ask for what you need to make it all work – especially here at Michael Baker, where we have family-friendly policies in place.

Ayesha Hassan

Civil Associate – Highway

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What do you love most about your job?

It’s not just number crunching, but also a lot of design and problem-solving with logic since there are so many human factors to consider. The work is never finished, and there are constantly new improvements that could be made to make it better. Also, working alongside professionals from other disciplines gives you the ability to approach a problem from different angles, making it a rewarding and mind-opening profession.

What are the biggest opportunities and challenges you see for creating greater gender diversity and equity in our industry?

One of the biggest opportunities is growing awareness and commitment to diversity and inclusion by organizations and industry leaders. There is increasing recognition that diversity leads to innovation and better business outcomes.

The biggest challenge I see is stereotypes and cultural norms. Stereotypes about gender and cultural norms can create barriers for women in engineering. For example, the perception that engineering is a male-dominated field can discourage girls and women from pursuing careers in the field. Addressing these stereotypes and cultural norms requires a multi-pronged approach, including education and awareness-raising campaigns, as well as changes to organizational culture and practices.

Laurel DeMattia, SHRM-SCP

Human Resources Business Partner

Tampa, Florida

What’s something that you’re particularly proud of?

I am a lifelong learner with a growth mindset, which makes me more blessed than proud. I mess up a lot. I know less and less the more I know. Recently I heard one of my many mentors say, “Education without application is simply entertainment.” That was a wakeup call for me to be more intentional in my listening to better execute on what I learn.

What are the biggest opportunities and challenges you see for creating greater gender diversity and equity in our industry?

The greatest opportunity is celebrating how far we’ve come and galvanizing hope to go even further, collaboratively and collectively. Every challenge brings opportunity. As I consider the transformation on each challenge, instead of an either/or, I picture a dimmer light moving progressively out of the challenge (dark) to the desired state (light).

We all must take ownership of creating a healthy, humane workplace one person at a time and one act at a time to positively impact our offices, our community and ultimately our globe.

Kat Frankowski, E.I.T.

Civil Associate – Land Development

Carlsbad, California

What do you love most about your job?

I’ve always loved traffic and transportation. We all use roads, even if we don’t drive, and improving them makes small changes in our community that impact day-to-day life. I love knowing that we are making roads safer for everyone. My grandfather was a bridge engineer in Russia, and even though I never met him, this makes me feel closer to him.

What are the biggest opportunities and challenges you see for creating greater gender diversity and equity in our industry?

Encouraging young women to go into STEM. While the numbers of women are growing in STEM, they need to grow more!

Kirsten Bowen, P.E.

National Director – Rail & Transit

Cleveland, Ohio

What do you love most about your job?

The people that work at Michael Baker are my favorite part of working here. Having been here over 20 years and given my various roles, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with people nationally and developed really strong relationships that help facilitate workshare and project/pursuit collaboration.

What’s something that you’re particularly proud of?

I am extremely proud of how far I have come in my career and to have been recognized as the WTS Member of the Year in 2016 and with the Michael Baker International’s Chairman’s Award in 2018. Just being nominated for these awards was such an honor.

Priscilla Law Aquino, P.H.R.

Human Resources Business Partner

Santa Ana, California

What advice do you have for other women in our industry?

My advice to other women (and myself) is to continue exploring your unique voice and perspective, as well as how your experience can shape and influence the future of the company.

What are the biggest opportunities and challenges you see for creating greater gender diversity and equity in our industry?

The biggest challenge is creating an industry that is equally attractive to all people. Our industry is broad, exciting and ever-changing, and people in this industry solve real-world problems. If we add more diversity of thought and foster more inclusion, the result is better neighborhoods, cities and places for everyone.

 

“…the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack…”

― Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book

The Wolf Pack Philosophy is at the core of Michael Baker International. First introduced by our Chairman, Thomas J. Campbell, our Wolf Pack Philosophy is at the heart of everything we do at Michael Baker. Our Wolf Pack embraces the philosophy that we are stronger together. Our Pack members share a passion for one another, make sacrifices for a common objective and truly care for and trust one another. Our Pack is both competitive and fearless and able to greet each challenge as an opportunity. Our Pack is empathetic and selfless.

Each year, Michael Baker recognizes employees who exemplify our Wolf Pack Philosophy and who have made exemplary contributions to our firm with the Chairman’s Award, our company’s highest honor. This year, three exceedingly deserving individuals were selected to receive this honor: Patty Dunaway, P.E., Office Executive – Louisville; Trudi Lim, P.E., LEED AP, Regional Director Western Region; and Chris Tagert, P.E., CFM, Regional Practice Lead – Water, Western Region.

Learn more about our winners and their contributions to Michael Baker below.

Patty Dunaway, P.E.

Office Executive

Louisville, Kentucky

Patty Dunaway, P.E., joined Michael Baker in 2018 as the Office Executive for our Louisville, Kentucky office. In this role, she is responsible for developing, overseeing and managing Michael Baker’s growth throughout Kentucky, including oversight of several high-profile projects within the state and region. She also manages client relationships and provide leadership to expand the capabilities of the office by growing its existing services, markets and client base.

Patty is a trusted advisor to her clients, and they value her expertise and respect her opinion. Her relationships with clients, such as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), have opened the door to countless opportunities. Patty Makes a Difference for our company by leading with care. She builds strong relationships with her team, which enable her to better understand their capabilities so they can meet and exceed company goals and better understand where they fit in the larger picture. Patty makes herself available as a mentor so she can answer questions and provide insights. She also inspires her early career professionals to get involved in the office and community, and she encourages them to identify aspirational goals so they can reach their full potential.

“Patty understands that innovation is a big part of what her clients expect from Michael Baker, and she ensures that we deliver solutions that utilize the most cutting-edge technologies.”

–Sonja Simpson, Office Executive – Columbus

Trudi Lim, P.E., LEED AP

Regional Director

Western Region

Trudi Lim, P.E., LEED AP, is Senior Vice President and Western Regional Director for Michael Baker International. In this role, she leads more than 800 employees and oversees all growth efforts, as well as engineering, business and financial operations for 21 offices across eight states:  Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Washington.

Trudi is a highly respected and trusted advisor to her clients and has broad industry partner relationships. This presence gives her a unique perspective on the A/E industry and adds to her influence in the consultant community. Trudi’s ability to positively impact client relationships is evident in our continued work with long-standing clients. Additionally, she has contributed multiple years of service to the ACEC California Board and currently serves as a state Director. She also holds the title of Past President of the San Diego Chapter.

Trudi leads her workforce with a “Be Bold” approach and is focused on engagement with employees at all levels. Under Trudi’s leadership, innovation and hard work are encouraged and recognized. This has positively impacted not only her team their work for our clients, but also our company at large.

“For Trudi, it’s a foregone conclusion that she and her team will do what’s right for our people,

our clients and our company. Her clients trust her and reward that trust with new opportunities.”

– Kent Zinn, P.E., S.E., President, Infrastructure

Chris Tagert, P.E., CFM

Regional Practice Lead – Water

Denver, Colorado

Chris Tagert, P.E., CFM, has been a part of the Wolf Pack for 18 years and currently serves as Regional Practice Lead – Water, leading a team that delivers water resources, stream restoration, design and planning projects for our Western Region.

Chris has established strong client relationships, and his approach to client engagement mirrors his overall approach to his work – to be focused and intentional in all he does. He stays close to his clients to build new relationships and expand existing ones. Chris understands both client needs and where the industry is heading, and he shares his insights and expertise with clients. Out-of-the-box thinking is inherent in the work that Chris leads, and the growth of our Denver office can be attributed to Chris’ leadership exhibited across multiple clients and teams and his ability to foster a Culture of Excellence. His commitment to teamwork is evident in how he mentors his staff and positions them for success.

“It’s impossible to point to the growth that the Denver office has experienced and not attribute it to Chris’ leadership exhibited across multiple clients and teams and his ability to foster a Culture of Excellence.”

– Stephen Pouliot, P.E., Office Executive – Denver

Congratulations to all our Chairman’s Award winners!

Today is World Architecture Day, an annual celebration of architectural achievements and the people who design them. At Michael Baker International, our Architecture Practice balances the pragmatism necessary to deliver achievable design solutions to our clients with the desire of each one of our architects and building engineers to improve our built environment, including public spaces, workplaces and our communities, while reducing adverse environmental impacts. From simple and effective architectural solutions to iconic architectural statements, our Architecture team is Making a Difference for our clients from coast-to-coast. 

 

The Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) at LaVilla in Jacksonville, Florida, is just one example of how our Architecture team is marrying form and function to achieve a spectacular result. 

Michael Baker, as part of a joint venture team, provided design services for a state-of-the-art regional transportation center in the LaVilla neighborhood in Jacksonville’s downtown district. The $57.5 million combined mass transit hub improves the flow of traffic by integrating multiple modes of transportation, including local and regional bus networks, taxis, rental car services, elevated rail service, bike share, car share, and any future rail service. An elevated urban plaza also features a large open area with mixed-use retail opportunities.

The JRTC at LaVilla’s central artistic and architectural innovation is the glass curtainwall, a progressive design hallmark envisioned to express acceleration and mirror client Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s philosophy of transportation. To achieve the iconic look, the team worked with the glazing manufacturer, creating a striking interlocking design of triangular and trapezoidal shapes that were printed on the glass. The coloring process involved printing the ink on the glazing to achieve two separate colors on the same piece of glass, an uncommon feat. The panels were assembled in a factory, accelerating construction and reducing costs, then hung like puzzle pieces on the façade. In addition to aesthetics, the curtainwall enhanced sustainability, allowing for natural daylighting. This impressive Architectural centerpiece is on display for the thousands of passengers that travel through the JRTC at LaVilla each day.

 

In honor of World Architecture Day, we also caught up with Chantal Frances and Caroline Scorzelli, two colleagues in our Architecture Practice, to chat about their roles and the industry at large.

 

Chantal Frances, Architectural Department Lead

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 here. 

The team incorporated safety measures including working with ARDOT on lane closures that avoided primary direction, peak rush-hour times; eliminating lifts for the 2021 inspection; minimizing at-risk hours for the rope-access inspectors; utilizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to scan the majority of cable lengths to eliminate numerous lengthy rappels by the climbing team; and incorporating tie-offs to minimize fall risks and enhanced lanyards to reduce the risk of dropping tools.

Congratulations to the teams on being selected as S.L.A.M. Safety Award winners and thank you for your dedication to our safety culture.

Today is Global Women in Engineering Day, a world-wide celebration of the work and achievements of women engineers and an opportunity to highlight careers in engineering. At Michael Baker International, we strive to create an energetic and innovative workforce comprised of diverse backgrounds, passions and capabilities and in honor of Global Women in Engineering Day, we spoke with some of the many women engineers at Michael Baker who Make a Difference each day for our company, our clients and our communities.

 

Krista Stippelmans, P.E., SPRAT II, Civil Engineer

Denver, Colorado

Michael Baker: What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

Krista Stippelmans: I desire to make a difference, even if it is in the life of just one person. I knew that a career in engineering, no matter what discipline I chose, could open the doors for special opportunities that allow me to do that.

Michael Baker: What do you like most about your job?

Krista Stippelmans: It’s a tough call between the people that I get to work with locally and nationally and my work as a rope access technician inspecting bridges, but I think they both complement each other. Rope access has allowed me to meet some remarkable people within Michael Baker and across the industry.

 

Thulasi Vinayagam, P.E., Project Manager – Bridge

Greenville, South Carolina          

Michael Baker: What Michael Baker project are you most proud of?

Thulasi Vinayagam: SCDOT Load Rating: Michael Baker established the statewide load rating program and oversaw the program involving the entire inventory of over 9,500 structures, including oversight of five other consultants, and site assessments and ratings of over 1,800 bridges and culverts in District 3. I served as a Task Manager for a site assessment effort in District 3.

Michael Baker: What advice do you have for other women in engineering?

Thulasi Vinayagam: Be proud. We provide a good balance to the field of engineering.

 

Alexandra DiMino, Civil Associate

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Michael Baker: Who inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

Alexandra DiMino: My brother – he was involved in FIRST Robotics in high school and would tell me about what they were building and designing. One day he brought me along and got me involved with his robotics team. From that point on, I was hooked and wanted to be an engineer. My brother showed me how to turn an idea into a reality and taught me about the satisfaction that comes from creating something new.

Michael Baker: What do you like most about your job?

Alexandra DiMino: I love that my job contributes to the future infrastructure of America and will have a lasting effect on society even after I am gone.

 

Billie Joy Budner, P.E., PTOE, Technical Manager – Traffic

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Michael Baker: What do you like most about your job?

Billie Joy Budner: My team – I can’t say enough about the entire traffic group and the respect we have for each other. I am surrounded by a team that supports me and believes in me. I’m so grateful for them!

Michael Baker: What Michael Baker project are you most proud of?

Billie Joy Budner: We are just finishing the renovation of 28 signalized intersections in Fairmont, West Virginia. This project was Michael Baker’s first assignment for signal design in West Virginia.

 

Anna Norris-Jones, E.I., Civil Associate – Transportation

Jackson, Mississippi

Michael Baker: What do you like most about your job? 

Anna Norris-Jones: The thing I like most about my job would have to be the collaboration and teamwork aspect. It truly takes a team effort to develop a complete set of plans. Transportation projects require a combined effort from various engineering specialties (traffic, roadway, bridge, hydraulics, etc.) along with drafters, surveyors and many others to complete a project from beginning to end. I feel that I would not enjoy working in solitude and am very thankful to be able to work each day with such a wonderful team.

Michael Baker: What advice do you have for other women in engineering?

Anna Norris-Jones: For women starting out in engineering, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Engaging in conversations with more experienced engineers is one of the best ways to learn.

 

On Global Women in Engineering Day and every day, we thank each and every member of our Wolf Pack for the work you do in delivering quality of life.

At Michael Baker, we are committed to recruiting women at all levels and disciplines, retaining women by creating a culture that recognizes and rewards their achievements and advancing women by investing and supporting their professional development through education, networking and leadership opportunities. Interested in joining our Wolf Pack? View open positions here.    

As Michael Baker International’s founding month comes to a close, we are shining a spotlight on those in our Wolf Pack who are Making a Difference in our communities. Across the country and around the world, our employees are dedicated to giving back with their time, talents and financial support to support those in need.

A tradition of service is engrained in our culture, and we are unified in working toward a common goal, which is evident in the many ways our offices give back to our communities, both at home and abroad. Here are just a few examples from the past year:

Bridges to Prosperity

Since 2016, Michael Baker has partnered with the nonprofit Bridges to Prosperity to construct footbridges in remote, underdeveloped areas of the world to improve access to vital resources. In March-April 2022, a team of Michael Baker colleagues traveled to Rwanda, Africa, to build a 223-foot-long suspended footbridge to provide nearly 4,000 community members with safe access to food, education and health care.

Student Events

  • Volunteers from our Atlanta, Georgia, office sponsored a booth at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Georgia’s Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. The half-day program introduced elementary and middle school girls to engineering through fun projects and activities.
  • Team members from our Santa Ana, California, office volunteered at a student outreach event hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Chapter at California State University, Long Beach. During the fourth annual “ASCE CSULB Dreams Big” event, more than 300 students from schools across Los Angeles and Orange County experienced the world of civil engineering through hands-on workshops, technical demonstrations, lab tours, a professional panel and a screening of ASCE’s “Dream Big: Engineering Our World” documentary.
  • Our Baltimore, Maryland, office hosted Brownie Troop 1860 for a little tour and a lot of inspiration. The troop met with members of our Wolf Pack and participated in hands-on activities to learn more about the work we do.

Clean-Up and Beautification Events

  • Team members from our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, office partnered with the City of Allentown Parks & Recreation Department for a park clean-up, collecting more than 10 bags of trash from Valania and Fountain Parks.
  • Volunteers from our San Diego and Carlsbad, California, offices helped clean up Bonita Cove, Belmont Park, the beach and bay, street medians, gutters and parking lots, collecting approximately 13 five-gallon buckets of trash. These offices also donated more than $1,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego and participated in a beach cleanup at Ocean Beach.

Community Events

  • Colleagues from our Hamilton and Newark, New Jersey, offices raised $5,500 for a local food bank as part of ACEC New Jersey’s fifth annual Can Sculpture Contest.
  • Our Alexandria, Virginia, office participated in its eighth CANstruction event, raising over $2,000 and collecting more than 1,500 cans for the Capital Area Food Bank. CANstruction is a global non-profit charity that creates structures out of full cans of food which is donated to local foodbanks.
  • Members of our Great Lakes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee participated in the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
  • Our Ridgeland, Mississippi, office collected dog beds, toys, treats and $465 in donations as part of an Angel Dog Drive to benefit a local animal rescue.

At Michael Baker International, We Make a Difference is more than a tagline. It’s part of the fabric of our company. We create connections and always prioritize giving back to one another and to our communities.

 

At Michael Baker International, we embrace a Wolf Pack philosophy and believe that we are stronger together. Under the leadership of our Chairman, Thomas J. Campbell, we take tremendous pride in our company and our Wolf Pack colleagues as we execute our purpose – to Make a Difference. In 2018, we established the Chairman’s Award – our company’s highest honor – to recognize the employees who exemplify our Wolf Pack Philosophy and who have significantly impacted our company over the last few years.

Today, as we Reimagine Michael Baker International, we are honoring our colleagues who consistently deliver excellence in all aspects of their work, a foundational component of our Culture of Excellence. Meet the 2021 and 2020 Chairman’s Award winners below!

2021 Winners

Steve Gravlin, P.E., P.S.
Office Executive – Detroit
Detroit, MI

Steve is a strategic risk taker who has aggressively grown Michael Baker’s Detroit office from a start-up operation to 30 employees in just a few years. He accomplished this by networking effectively across the company to develop beneficial workshare arrangements to establish his team and then shared work as he won major projects. His key win with the I-69 Design-Build project allowed him to significantly contribute to workshare in numerous Michael Baker offices. He also played a key role in securing other projects including: MDOT I-94 Conrail Bridges Replacement; M-14 Corridor Reconstruction; and the I-696 3D Bridge Design Contract. As a leader, Steve gives credit where credit is due, acknowledges his team for their contributions and skills and focuses on building a culture of collaboration and delivering quality work.

Dale Gray
Office Executive – Federal/Alexandria
Alexandria, VA

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Dale takes our Chairman’s mantra of “No Complacency” to heart. He successfully drives our work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), one of the company’s major growth engines, and is strategically expanding it into other Michael Baker practices. Dale and his team have won every one of our company strategic must-win contracts and the recompete for the Customer and Data Services contract. He also has grown our national Call Centers from one to two. Dale is actively involved in the business community and is a trusted advisor who has grown a team of leaders – many of whom are current clients and FEMA leaders and have been mentored by Dale. He also is passionate about creating opportunities for his team so they can continue to make a difference.

Aaron Stover, P.E., S.E.
Regional Practice Lead, Bridge Great Lakes Region
Louisville, KY

​​​​​​​​​​​​Aaron is known for his Bridge technical expertise and constant problem-solving on behalf of Michael Baker clients. Since stepping into the role of Regional Practice Lead in March 2020, he has leveraged his skills in support of clients throughout the region and played a major role on two emergency repair projects: the Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Hernando de Soto Bridge in Memphis, Tennessee. Under Aaron’s leadership, the Brent Spence Bridge was able to safely reopen in just 42 days and the Hernando de Soto Bridge repairs were completed in 83 days after the fracture was discovered. For both projects, he set the tone for the team to deliver work that met the highest thresholds for quality. He is an engaged leader who empowers his team, champions their career growth and connects them to projects where they can make the greatest contributions.​​​​​​​

2020 Winners

Joe Chaffin, AIA
Practice Executive, Architecture – Pittsburgh/Federal
Pittsburgh, PA

​​​​​​​Joe oversees all services performed by Pittsburgh’s Architecture practice and has a reputation for being highly engaged and delivering results. He excels at supporting our Federal work and in three years has grown his team from 60 to more than 100 employees to meet the challenge of building Michael Baker’s Architecture presence in Pittsburgh. Joe has helped to secure, manage and successfully deliver a number of significant projects over the last two years, including the Bahraini Air Force F-16V Program at the ISA Air Base in Bahrain and the unprecedented winning of four Hurricane Florence Recovery Program Design-Build projects. Joe was also Project Manager for the award-winning Navy Gateway Inn & Suites project at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, which earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).​​​​​​​

Lydia Grose
Office Executive – Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Lydia is driving growth in Michael Baker’s Philadelphia office by engaging clients, fostering relationships, selling Michael Baker’s broader expertise and empowering her team. She has secured some of the largest contracts in the history of the office and invests time to nurture her client relationships so they are grounded in confidence and trust – a trait that has become her hallmark and one of her greatest assets. Lydia believes that her team and the company are stronger when they work together and she partners with offices throughout the Northeast Region to secure and grow projects. As a caring and approachable leader, Lydia is passionate about her team and puts their needs at the forefront of her decisions. Under Lydia’s leadership, the Philadelphia office was recently recognized by the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) as the 2021 WTS Employer of the year.

Randy Nelson, P.E., PMP
Director, Architectural Engineering – Pittsburgh/Federal
Salt Lake City, Utah

​​​​​​​Randy’s superpowers are his focus on growth, exceptional operational skills and willingness to jump in and embrace challenges. These traits have enabled him to triple the size of our Salt Lake City Federal AE team from 16 employees to 50 since 2019 and lead a multi-office growth strategy to expand the Salt Lake City Federal Architecture team into the Denver office and then into Phoenix and California. Randy is responsible for coordinating workload and resource management within the office and among multiple Federal Centers of Excellence (FCOE). He also engages our National Market Leaders and key local Design-Build partners, which has resulted in numerous project wins including: Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) South West; F-35 Beddown Program at Hill AFB; Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Center Modernization; and Hill Air Force Base (AFB) B40/B42. His mission is to match the members of his team with the right projects and drive collaboration across all regions of the company and the FCOEs.

Congratulations to all our Chairman’s Award winners!

Michael Baker International was founded in May 1940 when Michael Baker, Jr. opened his engineering and consulting firm in Rochester, Pennsylvania. The core of our company remains unchanged since that day: We Make a Difference for our clients, our colleagues and our communities. Each anniversary of our founding month provides the opportunity for us to reflect on the past and look to the future.

In the 82 years since Michael Baker, Jr. secured his first $25 surveying job, we have built a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity as we work to make the communities that we serve safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous. Our colleagues have worked on iconic infrastructure that has improved quality of life from coast-to-coast and around the world. 

Our industry and company continue to evolve, and we remain steadfastly committed to our firm’s mission: To Make a Difference.

As we look to the future, we are Reimagining Michael Baker to better position the company for accelerated growth and broaden our capabilities, services and solutions over the next five years to execute our vision of evolving to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm. We are boldly moving forward with the goal of serving our clients with expanded offerings, harnessing technology that differentiates the solutions we deliver and providing additional personal and professional growth opportunities for our employees, while continuing to reinvest in new training and incentive compensation.

I hope you will join us as we celebrate our company’s rich history, iconic projects and unparalleled colleagues throughout May in honor of our Founding Month. Together, We Make a Difference.

When our firm started in a small hotel room in Rochester, Pennsylvania, in 1940, a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity was established. Now, more than 80 years later, I am proud of our colleagues who continue the tradition of Making a Difference that was established the day we were founded as we Reimagine Michael Baker as a full-service engineering and consulting company.

We Make a Difference is more than a tagline – it is engrained into the very fabric of our company. We Make a Difference for our clients, partnering with them to solve some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges. We Make a Difference for our communities, helping to enact transformational change and improve quality of life. Finally, We Make a Difference for our colleagues, working closely as a team to innovate and achieve our shared goals.

Today, we unveil the Making a Difference blog to tell these stories. You’ll hear from change-makers, innovators and experts from across our company’s nearly 100 offices and 17 Practices covering a diverse range of subjects:

  • Trending Topics: Gain valuable insights and commentary on trending topics within our industry from Michael Baker Thought Leaders.

  • Project Perspectives: Hear the behind-the-scenes stories of Michael Baker’s most iconic projects from the people who led them.

  • Wolf Pack Spotlight: Meet our employees and learn about what makes our Wolf Pack so unique.

By embracing technology, transforming communities and bringing people together through the marvels of engineering, our company continues to fulfill our mission to make the world a better place. Thank you for joining us on this journey – we cannot wait to share it with you.