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Integrity: Steven Tardy CEO of French & Parrello Associates (Wall Township, NJ), an engineering and environmental services firm that provides innovative solutions to clients across multiple markets.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
I t was more than 30 years ago that Tardy began what would turn into a lifelong career. While pursuing an undergraduate degree in civil engineering at Rutgers University, he worked as an intern at French & Parrello Associates and has since risen to company CEO. He received a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, but this initial focus has now greatly broadened. “I was always eager to learn, and French & Parrello Associates offered me an opportunity to improve my knowledge base and skill set. They constantly offered new opportunities and challenges,” Tardy says. “Ultimately, my longevity at FPA is directly related to the people and work atmosphere. There’s a team environment, and the people are friendly with a high-level of integrity.” A CONVERSATION WITH STEVEN TARDY. The Zweig Letter: Trust is essential. How do you earn the trust of your clients?
Steven Tardy: Trust is earned through always acting with integrity and in the best interest of the client. It’s always important to understand the needs of the client and the factors influencing their decisions. Having a client-focused approach is a core tenet to our business philosophy, and meeting and exceeding our client’s expectations has been integral to the success of our firm. TZL: What skills are required to run a successful practice? What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now? ST: There are many skills important to running a successful practice. First, it’s important to recognize that consulting engineers are businesspeople and engineers. The importance of the engineering aspects has always been clear to me, even as a student. On the business side, financial acumen, proposal preparation/sales, and customer service are paramount and are generally learned on the job. It’s important to have a clear understanding of the customer’s needs.
THE ZWEIG LETTER NOVE
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