After more than five years leading construction-phase projects at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, I was ready for a new challenge — one that would build on my experience while giving me the opportunity to take on broader responsibilities. That led me to Baltimore, where I stepped into the role of resident engineer for the redevelopment of Baltimore Penn Station.

In addition to overseeing day-to-day construction at Penn Station, I also began managing other Amtrak station improvement projects, including upgrades at New Carrollton Station and the broader Station Redevelopment Project.

As someone with a strong appreciation for history, working on an iconic landmark like Penn Station has been both meaningful and technically demanding. One of the biggest challenges is maintaining uninterrupted railroad operations during active construction, a daily balancing act that requires careful coordination, flexibility, and a deep understanding of how to plan around active transit systems. My experience at Grand Central prepared me well for that. That environment taught me how to stay calm under pressure and manage construction in and around people, passengers, and a lot of moving parts, lessons that continue to serve me every day on this project.

In this new role, I facilitate the delivery of a $1 billion-plus program and advance key projects within it. This position allows me to apply my construction knowledge and project management skills to a program of significant scope and impact. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help guide a program that directly shapes the safety, quality, and long-term success of major transportation projects across the region.

The ETL program is a well-established initiative that is already operational and has delivered award-winning, successful projects to the public. From a construction management perspective, maintaining that level of excellence presents the greatest challenge. 

In this new position, I’m managing the coordination of several large-scale construction efforts — each exceeding $100 million and moving on its own timeline. The role demands constant situational awareness and the ability to adjust quickly to keep work on track and avoid costly disruptions. It’s a high-responsibility role, but I’m energized by the opportunity to help deliver critical infrastructure that will serve Maryland drivers for decades to come.

The advice I always give to anyone starting out in construction management is to ask questions. When I started in construction management, I made a point to seek out senior staff — whether on the construction management side or the contractor side of the project. You can learn a tremendous amount from people who’ve been in the field for years.

Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, whether it’s a new role, training, or earning a certification. Early in my career, I had a conversation with someone I really looked up to in the industry. He told me, “You have to be like a Swiss Army knife — have multiple tools to get the job done.” That advice stuck with me, and it’s still the approach I take today.

If you’re in the beginning stages of your career, or if you are seeking an internship, I encourage you to see if GFT has an open position that resonates with you. We’re always looking for bright, young talent.

I enjoy reading, traveling, and studying history. My instinct to travel can be traced back early on. Having served in the Marine Corps, I was fortunate to travel the world and visit places most people never see. My love of history and traveling often overlap.