TZL 1546 (web)

ON THE MOVE WARE MALCOMB ANNOUNCES PROMOTION OF CHRIS STRAWN TO VICE PRESIDENT, CIVIL ENGINEERING Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, announced that Chris Strawn, P.E., has been promoted to vice president, civil engineering. In this role, he oversees the firm’s land development civil engineering practice and leads the expansion of its civil services across the Americas. “Chris is an accomplished civil engineer who has made substantial contributions to the firm through his leadership of our civil engineering practice and as a member of our executive team,” said Matt Brady, executive vice president, Ware Malcomb. “We congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion.” Strawn brings more than 25 years of experience in all facets of civil

engineering and land surveying, including project management, site planning and development and entitlement procurement. In his ten years with Ware Malcomb, he has been instrumental in business development, fostering client relationships, leadership development and oversight of civil engineering teams across the country. Prior to joining the firm, Strawn ran a successful Denver- based civil engineering firm for more than ten years. A registered Professional Engineer, Strawn’s project resume includes a variety of public works, roadway projects, commercial land developments, infrastructure master planning and design, site design and entitlement processing efforts. He has provided significant leadership heading up the firm’s civil Advisory team, and as a

member of ahe firm’s internal planning and facilitation of leadership trainings. Strawn earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering degree from Colorado State University, and an MBA from Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. He has been involved in many industry associations, including NAIOP, ULI, and ACEC, and always strives to lead and stay involved in many of the community service initiatives that the company pursues. Today, Ware Malcomb’s civil engineering practice includes 18 civil engineering leaders, more than 80 technical team members and has grown into 16 offices while completing civil engineering design for numerous projects in 25 of its offices. Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a contemporary and expanding full-service design firm.

something else. Yes, some failures come with a very expensive learning curve (ask Elon Musk), but the key word there is “learning.” You fail, you try something else, and you keep moving forward. A learning curve is not just a process. It represents the journey of acquiring new skills, knowledge, and experiences. Embracing the learning curve brings forth numerous benefits, including: ■ Fostering adaptability. It enables individuals to navigate through various challenges and changes with ease. As one climbs the learning curve, they become more adept at problem-solving and decision-making, crucial skills in any endeavor. ■ Cultivating resilience. Improvement takes patience. Each hurdle overcome and each lesson learned strengthens one’s resolve and determination, empowering them to persevere in the face of adversity. ■ Promoting innovation and creativity . As individuals explore new territories and absorb fresh insights, they uncover novel perspectives and ideas that can spark innovation and drive progress. Ultimately, seizing opportunities fosters a mindset of continuous improvement, enabling us to refine our skills and expand our horizons. In the end, those who dare to take chances not only shape their futures but also inspire others to pursue their dreams. I think it is necessary that sometimes we shoot for the moon, if only to remind ourselves that we can. After all, everyone can be part of the Artemis generation. Greg Sepeda, retired, was formerly chief engineer and vice president of operations at Sigma Consulting Group, Inc. (a Waggoner Company). Contact him at gpsepeda@gmail.com.

GREG SEPEDA, from page 9

In our professional lives, taking chances can be a pivotal force that propels us toward success and fulfillment. Each opportunity seized, each risk embraced, opens doors to new experiences, learning, and growth. Whether embarking on a new career path, launching a startup, or pitching an innovative idea, embracing uncertainty can lead to remarkable achievements. Taking chances cultivates resilience and adaptability, essential traits in today’s dynamic work environment. It fosters creativity, pushing us beyond our comfort zones to explore uncharted territories. While the fear of failure may loom large, it often outweighs the potential rewards of daring greatly. I shared with the classroom that it is OK to fail. Any new solution is going to be untested. And most will not work that first time – they will fail. But as Thomas Edison famously said, “I didn’t fail. I found 10,000 ways that don’t work.” Ask Elon Musk about his reusable launch systems and Starship programs. By my last count, SpaceX’s Starship rocket prototypes have exploded six times. Or ask this young robotics class what they did when their underwater ROV sank that first time. You try “Each opportunity seized, each risk embraced, opens doors to new experiences, learning, and growth. Whether embarking on a new career path, launching a startup, or pitching an innovative idea, embracing uncertainty can lead to remarkable achievements.”

THE ZWEIG LETTER JULY 22, 2024, ISSUE 1546

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