Real Estate Journal — 40 Under 40 — August 24 - September 13, 2018 — 11D
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M id A tlantic
40 U nder 40 Justin M. Protasiewicz, PE, SESI Consulting Engineers
“Success does not appear overnight, but it will come if you resolve to maintain a steady course and if you are patient & persistent”
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My ambition told me I would accomplish them quickly, and some of the easy ones I did. However, what I realized over time was that some of my goals were contingent upon achiev- ing a number of intermediate, short-term steps—which take time. The important changes I have made to my list have not been to the actual goals, but the path to the goals. It is far easier to cross a river by jumping be- tween stepping stones, than it is to try to jump across the river in one giant leap. Along the way you find out how to spot the slippery stones and avoid
them in the future. When you try to jump the whole river, you will likely fall in and get swept downstream. What outside activities do you enjoy during you free time? When I am not working at SESI, I work on my own real estate projects, mountain bik- ing, hiking, and/or travelling with my wife. My wife and I have a baby girl on the way, so I imagine my outside activi- ties will change just a bit once she comes along. Nursery con- struction, daycare interviews, continued on page 32D
hat is your great- est professional accomplishment?
Justin M. Protasiewicz, PE Principal Years with company/firm: 10 Years in field: 10 Years in real estate industry: 15 Real estate organizations / affiliations: ASCE Member
My greatest professional ac- complishment has been my ability to see the big picture. Without foresight and under- standing of all facets of the industry in which we work, I would not have become a part- ner in my firm at such a young age, I would not have the reach I have within the industry, nor would I have the respect of the high-end Clients with whom I work. I attribute these skills to a combination of what I have learned from my partners at SESI and my years of experi- ence developing real estate with my father. My construc- tion background and ability to “think like a developer” are fundamentally what sets me apart from my peers. What is your most notable project, deal or transaction? My Perth Amboy Site, com- monly known as iPort 440, the ePort Redevelopment, and/or the BridgePort Redevelopment is one of the “Crown Jewels” of my career as a geotechnical and environmental engineer. The project was honored this year at the NAIOP Gala as the New Jersey Industrial Deal of the Year. I spent over 6 years working on the BridgePort Redevelop- ment. On this project my role changed dramatically over the years, from the early environ- mental and geotechnical inves- tigations through the complex geotechnical improvements, environmental remediation, and finally through to the con- struction of the industrial park. My involvement in this project propelled my career due to the complexity of the environmen- tal and geotechnical conditions at the Site, the exposure to the high-end development commu- nity that was involved, and the prestige of such an industry- defining project. Who or what has been the strongest influence in your career? My parents - they are the hardest working people I have ever met. My father has owned a construction business for over 36 years and has sac- rificed a great deal to raise and support our family. My mother went back to the business world after raising me and my three brothers. After climbing the corporate ladder for a number of years, through various compa- nies and positions, she has now
risen to become the executive as- sistant to a major Pharma com- pany’s President of Worldwide Research and Development. I would not be where I am today without their teachings, guid- ance, and support through my
life and early career. What were some of your early goals and did anything happen to change them? I set goals when I first left college; I actually have them written down in a notebook.
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