William “Bill” Atkins, CCM

I joined GFT in January 2021. A former colleague, Andrew Li, and I had worked together at my prior company. When I needed a career change, I decided to join someone I could trust and had goals like I did. We have grown the construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services in Virginia to become a true value-added partner that other firms want on their team.

I am a certified construction manager with nearly 25 years of experience in construction and project management, construction inspection and coordination, and record-keeping. Throughout Virginia, I work on many roadway and bridge design-bid-build and design-build projects, where I am responsible for coordinating all inspection tasks, assignments, and performance.

I manage the Virginia-based CEI team for VDOT and local agency project contracts. We have a highly successful statewide construction management and inspection team. I provide VDOT with qualified inspectors from my team of more than 20 construction professionals. We’re working as a prime contractor and subconsultant on various VDOT contracts in Staunton, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Culpeper. Additionally, we have locally administered contracts with Fauquier County, Arlington County, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County, just to name a few.

GFT is a great place to build a meaningful, long-term career. As an employee, you are fully supported in your professional growth and development, with opportunities to attend relevant training sessions aligned with your career objectives and the organization’s needs.

Currently, I am working with VDOT on the Construction Quality Improvement Program, which the department describes as “a check and balance to the field inspection and engineering oversight of VDOT’s construction projects to improve the future quality of VDOT’s roads and bridges.” This program is shaping how VDOT measures project management reporting.

When we are involved with construction projects, we become team players with the client, other consultants, the community, and the traveling public. Our work meaningfully impacts many lives and I make it my personal goal to always leave each site better than we found it.

To always be true to myself and to continue to remind myself that not all things are within my control.

Diverse perspectives lead to more innovative solutions and successful projects. When individuals from various backgrounds, experiences, and cultures collaborate, they bring unique insights and approaches to problem-solving, enriching the creative process and fostering innovation.

Additionally, diversity fosters greater empathy and understanding among team members, leading to improved communication and collaboration. AEC firms can celebrate diversity by fostering an inclusive environment, providing training and mentoring, and employing diverse hiring practices.

My favorite hobbies are hunting, fishing, and taking one of our Jeeps out for a drive. I also enjoy ATV riding on the weekends and spending time around a bonfire.

My wife, Missy, and I have been married almost 23 years, and we have two children. Wyatt is 21 and a senior at Longwood University, and our daughter, Chloe, is 18 and a second-year student at Laurel Ridge Community College. One cherished tradition for us is our annual family beach trip. We enjoy quality time together in one of our most beloved places. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and spend uninterrupted time as a family.

Most people wouldn’t know my love of finding older boats, ATVs, and trucks to tinker with and restore.