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4 EP: An MBA would have helped me to start, along with more knowledge of financial planning and accounting for service firms, but the most important characteristic is en- thusiasm and an understanding that you will have to work a lot harder than you ever have before. TZL: What are your key strengths? What are the key strengths for an effective leader? EP: Persistence and determination. When things don’t go well, look to what you personally can change or fix, or exam- ine your outlook, rather than finding fault with others. Nev- er be afraid to self-evaluate and correct as needed. Q&A, from page 3 “When things don’t go well, look to what you personally can change or fix, or examine your outlook, rather than finding fault with others.” TZL: How would you describe your leadership style? EP: I have high expectations of myself and others, and I also jump in when needed. I am trusting of staff who have prov- en themselves. TZL: To date, what has been your greatest challenge and how did you deal with it? EP: Hiring the best staff did not come naturally to me, and it took a long, hard look at failures to learn how to trust my “gut” in hiring. Once that happened, bad hires have been rare. The last recession was also tough, but we got through without any layoffs by tightening belts, working harder and self-funding payroll on a couple of occasions. If you don’t believe in your business, then the banks won’t either. TZL: What is your vision for the future of CEI? EP: To continue to grow as an independent firm in service areas and geographically. We’ve been able to do this through the years while managing to avoid the growing pains and pitfalls that others have fallen into when growing too fast. TZL: Tell me about a recent project you are especially proud of and why. EP: There are many, but if I had to select only one of the leading contenders, it would be a project with EPA Region 1 where CEI’s engineers are constructing innovative nitrogen treatment units on Cape Cod as a pilot for municipalities facing MS4 permits in coastal areas and the Connecticut River among others. It was featured in Stormwater in May. TZL: How have you helped your firm to outperform some competitors? EP: We have extremely low project manager turnover rate. This allows us to provide the consistency, technical quality, and responsiveness that our clients expect. TZL: Is there any news you care to share about CEI proj- ects or anything else? EP: We are extremely excited to have just been awarded, as part of a joint venture, an IDIQ contract to provide the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers New England Division with archi- tect-engineer services for hazardous, toxic, and radiological waste projects within the North Atlantic District. This five- year, $2.5 million contract is the result of more than a year of planning and a significant step in our efforts to increase our federal service sector. TZL: Are you married? Children? Pets? EP: I ammarried with two adult children and four “fur-kids:” two Humane Society cats and two German Shepherds. TZL: What’s one thing most people at the firm don’t know about you? EP: My great, great aunt was the first French journalist to interview Sigmund Freud and she also greeted Charles Lind- bergh when he landed, according to a family history journal. TZL: Best vacation spots? EP: Bali, Indonesia, and Alaska are two of my favorites, but I also enjoy many of the U.S. parks and the Caribbean. TZL: What is the last book you read? EP: I’m the type of reader who will stay up all night read- ing any “entertainment” book, so I rarely do so. Instead, its business books all the way. I have no problem putting those down at bedtime! My most recent favorite is by Scott Bur- nam, Drafting and Analyzing Contracts: A Guide to the Practi- cal Application of the Principles of Contract Law . TZL: What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received? EP: Whenever you think everything is going superbly, be- ware of “drinking your own Kool-Aid.” TZL: Who is a leader you admire? Why? EP: There are two West Point graduates – Army Capt. Kris- ten Griest and Army 1st Lt. Shaye Haver. They are the first women to pass the 60-plus day Army Ranger School. That took a lot of determination, strength of body, mind, and purpose! They are real groundbreakers for other women in the future. TZL: When you’re not working, what types of activities do you enjoy? EP: Family, photography, and gardening. I’m also a com- plete news junkie. TZL: What’s your favorite lunch? EP: As long as I can eat it outside on a sunny day, it doesn’t matter. could make a difference while working on challenging projects, but still have a life after-hours.” “My goal was to offer a great place to work where professionals of all types

THE ZWEIG LETTER August 1, 2016, ISSUE 1162

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