Cathy Otis, AIA, NCARB

During those Sunday drives, I imagined I was the architect of those homes and facilities and eventually left southwest Virginia to chase that dream. Thanks to my family, I’ve always felt comfortable on construction sites and immensely enjoyed seeing designs come alive. I wanted to influence the world by implementing new ideas and doing as much good as possible for people and communities.

This profession constantly evolves and transforms the environments where we live, work, and play, from infrastructure projects to services for government agencies and within the private sectors.

I chose GFT because of the possibilities. GFT has remained a top AEC firm for more than a century, and our architects are creative solutions seekers. Excellence doesn’t happen by chance; it’s only achieved through hard work and dedication to our clients and industry.

Our team is continually striving to create a better future. That’s a legacy worth helping to continue.

I would not be where I am without the help of mentors. They have cheered for me and encouraged me to take risks where I would have held back without their encouragement. Sometimes, they were just there to listen to me think out loud, and other times, they provided me with a different perspective.

Thanks to my mentors, I’ve been included in projects, discussions, and important events that I would not have had access to. Mentors have also helped me to become the architect, mom, and wife I am today through much refining and growth.

I’ve been involved with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) for almost a decade, and it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. What started as a way to connect with others in the federal market grew into opportunities to lead, learn, and give back to an industry I’m passionate about.

Most recently, I completed my term as president of the SAME Northern Virginia Post and now serve as immediate past president. I also served as the national chair of SAME’s Architectural Practice Community of Interest, working with architects across the country who support federal and military clients.

What I value most about SAME is the way it brings together people from government, the military, industry, and academia to share ideas and tackle challenges together. I’ve especially enjoyed connecting professionals across disciplines, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating opportunities for collaboration. The relationships I’ve built through SAME have broadened my perspective and strengthened me as a leader.

Working in the federal buildings market, projects involving heavy collaboration and teamwork stand out to me because of the experience and relationships gained throughout the project lifecycle. My federal government projects have been unique, first-of-their-kind work with international impacts, making collaboration and teamwork critical for success.

Challenges are inevitable due to the nature of our work, but I remain determined to overcome obstacles as they present themselves, creating a positive path forward through teamwork. This means meetings with many stakeholders, including clients, third-party inspectors, and manufacturers, to brainstorm solutions, examine lessons learned from similar cases, and consider the risks. The overall experiences are rewarding because stakeholders become true partners and we can identify strong solutions together.

Know your “why.” Your “why” is a declaration of purpose that defines why you live the life and do the work you do. It is your mission statement. It is your conviction. It is your life’s calling.

Knowing your “why” helps you push to be the best version of yourself and keeps you motivated. Dream big!

I have said yes to all the things I should have said yes to. I probably should have said no to some of those yeses, but that’s another article.

I have been married to my husband, Nathanel, for 13 years, and we have two boys who keep us quite busy! We also have a sweet Bernadoodle named Candy.

After a busy day, I like to reset with a good workout before shifting into mom mode, which usually means driving my boys to one sports practice or another! I enjoy spending time with them, serving my community through my church, and fitting in a date night with my hubby whenever we can. Those moments keep me grounded, connected, and recharged.

I’m looking forward to helping grow and strengthen GFT’s Federal Buildings practice, one that brings together the very best talent, ideas, and capabilities from across our organization. The possibilities ahead of us are limitless: larger and more transformative programs, deeper federal partnerships, and opportunities to shape facilities that support some of our nation’s most critical missions. Most of all, I’m excited to develop the next generation of leaders and create a connected, high-performing team that sets a new standard for what GFT can achieve in the federal marketplace.