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AB: Frankly, there is immense pres- sure on project managers to deliver on schedule and on budget while also de- livering excellence in technical quali- ty and a superior relationship experi- ence. I sincerely empathize with our project managers and the challenges they face. At DEA, we set up teams to assist project managers and train task leaders in the different aspects where they need to be strong. The PM is the leader, but we want the whole team of- fering support, collaboratively. When a project manager needs help, leadership is available, including su- pervisors and our business unit gener- al managers. We have also established an executive role, our vice president of professional excellence. This individ- ual’s role is to help project managers at the project level, to provide them with tools, and to offer them a forum to identify challenges at the systemic level. One of the roles that we recognize at our quarterly, all-employee meetings, is project management. Outstand- ing project managers and their teams are recognized based on performance metrics and client feedback. “Failing is an opportunity to learn. What we don’t like is not trying. We recognize failure happens and think about ways to take risks smartly and safely.” TZL: What is the role of entrepre- neurship in your firm? AB: Dave Evans founded the firm with his entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial spirit is one of DEA’s core values. Our core value states, “We are keenly inter- ested in new opportunities. We ven- ture into new fields and develop new approaches to our work. We do not take these risks lightly, but seek input from our colleagues and clients so that all who are affected are aware of the risks before action is taken.” Having entrepreneurs and entrepre- neurial spirit means we look for op- portunities and acknowledge risks. For entrepreneurs, the risk of fail- ing comes with the territory. Failing is an opportunity to learn. What we don’t like is not trying. We recognize

failure happens and think about ways to take risks smartly and safely. A good example of this is the risks inherent in merging with other companies. “Growth is an indicator of health, vitality, and prosperity. It can happen organically and/or through mergers and acquisitions.” TZL: In the next couple of years, what A/E segments will heat up, and which ones will cool down? AB: Right now, it’s a great time in our industry. Several local funding initia- tives have passed, and there is talk of more investments in infrastructure at the national level. In the Western U.S., we see most markets as strong. For ex- ample, there is a strong need for hous- ing and a key factor is affordability. We look at the markets as intercon- nected. Investment in transporta- tion has a positive impact on housing, which fuels land development, water, and energy needs. We think of the markets holistically, as an integrated system. In this sense, the increased public funding will benefit all our mar- kets. TZL: With overhead rates declining over the last five years and utiliza- tion rates slowly climbing back up to pre-recession levels, how do you deal with time management policies for your project teams? Is it different for different clients? AB: As a federal contractor, DEA works under Federal Acquisition Reg- ulations and complies with all feder- al, state, and local regulations. Under FAR, our overhead practices are con- sistent, regardless of the type of client or project. TZL: Measuring the effectiveness of marketing is difficult to do us- ing hard metrics for ROI. How do you evaluate the success/failure of your firm’s marketing efforts when results could take months, or even years, to materialize? Do you track any metrics to guide your marketing plan? AB: One thing we track rigorously is

YEAR FOUNDED: 1976 HEADQUARTERS: Portland, OR OFFICES: 26 offices in 9 states NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 1,000

SERVICES: ❚ ❚ Energy ❚ ❚ Land development ❚ ❚ Transportation

❚ ❚ Water and environment ❚ ❚ Surveying and geomatics ❚ ❚ Marine services SOLUTIONS: ❚ ❚ Alternative project delivery ❚ ❚ Construction engineering ❚ ❚ Energy development ❚ ❚ Engineering ❚ ❚ General services agreement ❚ ❚ Landscape architecture ❚ ❚ Natural resources ❚ ❚ Planning ❚ ❚ Project management COMMUNITY: ❚ ❚ Blood drives ❚ ❚ Habitat for Humanity

❚ ❚ Fundraisers ❚ ❚ Food drives ❚ ❚ Disaster relief HISTORY: David Evans and Associates, Inc. began as two entrepreneurial individuals staking a claim in the consulting engineering services industry with a simple philosophy: “Hire outstanding professionals and give them the freedom and support to do what they do best.” VALUES: ❚ ❚ Honesty ❚ ❚ Consideration

❚ ❚ Openness ❚ ❚ Enjoyment ❚ ❚ Involvement ❚ ❚ Entrepreneurial spirit ❚ ❚ Financial security

See CONFERENCE CALL, page 8

pril 2, 2018, ISSUE 1242

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