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AFG has recruiters, and we’re partnering with staffing agencies, securing internships with college students, and recruiting those retiring from the military looking to start a second career. Attacking the challenge from multiple angles makes it rare to have any position left unfilled for an extended period of time. “Taking a hard look at what we do well and where we can improve is critical to ensuring we are always the first choice for our key and core clients.” TZL: Have you had a particular mentor who has guided you – in school, in your career, or in general? Who were they and how did they help? ST: My professional journey has never been accomplished alone. When I was exploring architecture as a degree, I recall a dean telling me it was not a profession for women, and he did everything he could to discourage me. I was very fortunate that his words went in one ear and out the other, and that degree really set me on my way to exploring the built environment. I was also very fortunate to have Dan Willis, AIA, the award-winning architect and author, as my advisor. With his guidance, I won two of the four thesis awards and the prize money allowed me to move to San Francisco where my career was born. Jay Turnbull, chairman and former CEO of the famed Page & Turnbull architecture firm, taught me all about architecture and historic preservation. I worked for the ever-inspiring Mary Hanni-Ilyin on the renovation of San Francisco’s City Hall. She took me under her wing, and you name it, I learned it from her – especially how to have an “iron fist with a velvet glove.” And my parents were and still are huge influences. My father loved work, never complained, and built an amazing business where he was responsible for the growth, strategy, and sales. He was all about relationships, quality product, and innovation. TZL: Who are you admiring right now in the AEC industry? Where do you see thought leadership and excellence? ST: While many of our partner firms are doing extremely well, I’d like to highlight the work of MCFA, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. The CEO, BJ Kraemer, has an energetic team who are sharp and motivated. He’s created an environment where it’s a great
place to work, especially for the young talent. MCFA hosts a podcast, Inspiring People & Places , which is worth a listen. TZL: In your current role, what are your top short-term and long-term goals? ST: Our short-term focus is to strengthen our core competencies, always deliver excellence, and make sure we’re aligned with the right partners and clients. Taking a hard look at what we do well and where we can improve is critical to ensuring we are always the first choice for our key and core clients. A primary focus is maintaining and hiring the right people – people who are innovators, trained, and knowledgeable in industry best practices to deliver quality solutions across a diverse range of programs and clients. Making sure the team is happy, motivated, challenged, and proud to be at AFG where they see career growth opportunities are all important. A long-term strategy for growth we’re working on is asking, “Are we ‘hitching our wagon’ to the right partners where it’s less transactional and more relationship-driven?” We need to ensure that we, as partners, complement one another with the right people to deliver diverse solutions for our clients. Success with AFG’s short-term focus will leverage us into achieving our long-term plan in growing and expanding our core competencies into new service offerings such as assessment management, turnover operational readiness, new markets such as energy and horizontal infrastructure, and new clients in the transportation and civil works market sectors. “People want to feel appreciated, respected, and know there’s room to advance. They want to know they have a voice and that their work is making a difference.” TZL: What role does your family play in your career? Are work and family separate, or is there overlap? ST: I’m a mother of four and a military spouse married to an Army General. Over the past 20 years, we’ve moved more than 10 times and during that time my husband has been deployed to the Middle East twice. For the See TRANSFORMATIONAL, page 8
HEADQUARTERS:
Herndon, VA
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES:
101
YEAR FOUNDED: 1990
OFFICE LOCATIONS:
Herndon, VA
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New York, NY
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Allison Park, PA
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MARKETS:
Federal, state, and local
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government
Healthcare and science
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DoD
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Educational facilities
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SERVICES:
Program management
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Project management
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Construction
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management
Facilities support
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services
© Copyright 2023. Zweig Group. All rights reserved.
NUARY 2, 2023, ISSUE 1470
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