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Karl Jensen, executive vice president of AECOM’s National Governments business, stated, “We’re proud to build on more than 100 years of experience delivering infrastructure and environmental solutions for USACE sites.” The scope of work includes site investigations, remedial investigations, feasibility studies for PFAS and other contaminants, remedial designs, sampling and testing, groundwater modeling, stakeholder engagement, and engineering during construction. Dawn Swider, regional Environment
business line leader for AECOM’s U.S. West region, highlighted the company’s leadership in environmental engineering and design, stating, “Our passionate, skilled professionals combine knowledge of regulatory practices and technical innovations with local expertise, enabling us to tackle complex environmental issues effectively.” This contract underscores AECOM’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its partnership with USACE in addressing complex environmental challenges.
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION SERVICES FOR U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AECOM, a global infrastructure leader, has been awarded a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District. This contract, with a ceiling of $225 million, involves providing environmental architecture-engineering remediation services across the USACE Northwestern Division and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2.
MARCÍA ALVARADO, from page 3
In our industry, the team dynamic is just as important as technical expertise. Project managers, architects, engineers, designers – we all play different roles, but success comes when we move as one. As a leader, I think of myself as both coach and player. I’m paying attention to how my team members thrive, what environments bring out their best, and where they want to grow their “game.” When people are aligned with what they’re good at and what they love, productivity soars. That’s why recruiting in AEC should go beyond resumes. We should ask: does this person know how to lead under pressure? Do they know how to work in a team, take feedback, and get back up after setbacks? Female athletes know how to do all of that – because they’ve done it on the field, on the court, and now in the boardroom. But the path for women in AEC leadership isn’t without hurdles. Research from Zweig Group’s ElevateHER® program, recently acquired by SMPS, reveals that while women make up 32 percent of engineering interns, that number drops to 16 percent at the project manager level, and only 7 percent of firm principals. Even more telling: 100 percent of the women principals surveyed had considered leaving the industry – compared to 49 percent of men. That’s a wake-up call. Initiatives like ElevateHER® have taken actionable steps to reverse this trend. Programs like MentHERship and PromoteHER focus on mentorship and promotion equity – values that mirror the mentorship I experienced as an athlete. Support systems matter. Coaches matter. So do cultures that recognize the full value of what someone brings to the table. Which brings me to one final point: leadership requires authenticity. Athletes bring their full selves to every game – mind, body, spirit. I believe that when we do the same in the workplace, we don’t just lead better – we live better. My background as an athlete is one of my greatest professional assets. It shows up in how I lead, how I problem- solve, and how I build teams. I encourage others in the AEC world to recognize the hidden power of sports in shaping the leaders of tomorrow – especially the women who are ready to play at the highest level.
Marcía Alvarado playing collegiate basketball for the University of Louisville circa 2000.
Let’s build teams like we build championship programs: with intention, trust, and the belief that every role, when played well, can lead us to victory. Marcía Alvarado, PE is a structural engineer, speaker, executive coach, founder of The Alvarado Experience, and a former collegiate basketball player. Contact her at marcia@ thealvaradoexperience.com.
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THE ZWEIG LETTER APRIL 14, 2025, ISSUE 1581
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