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JMC²’s extreme engineering project, “Heaven Sent” – a world record stunt where a man jumped from 25,000 feet without a parachute, landing in a 100-square-foot net.
Right after the jump.
our pursuits. I’m a huge advocate of re-purposing so this is an area I’m very excited about – bringing new life to old buildings. TZL: What benefits does your firm offer that your people get most excited about? JC: Interesting projects and smart mentors. More specifically, our firm focuses on more functionality and less waste. I think that’s important to people today. Of course, compensation is key, but people want more than a paycheck. They want to know that they’re making an impact on the future – creating some sense of sustainability. I’m a huge believer in new technologies and this is one of the things that brings us to a new level and helps us to advance. People want to get in on that stuff. I also believe that the overall process of how things are done in the industry needs to be turned on its head. I try to encourage our engineers to leverage bigger picture standards to create more streamlined projects. TZL: It is often said that people leave managers, not companies. What are you doing to ensure that your line leadership are great people managers? JC: This is so true. I make sure that our two offices have strong coordinators who can bridge the communication gaps found between clients and our team. I look to hire people who have found harmony in their career – not job shoppers or hoppers. I look for people who can listen and adapt and who can find balance. I conduct long interviews and that’s how I find these things out. While I do not interview everyone who comes in the door, my staff knows what’s important and the interview process tends to reveal these traits. TZL: In one word or phrase, what do you describe as your number one job responsibility? JC: Accountability.
ADAPTABLE, from page 7
well rounded and can adapt to new challenges. We are an adaptable, creative, and knowledgeable team and can pull off extreme engineering events. TZL: Diversity and inclusion are lacking. What steps are you taking to address the issue? JC: For many years, I’ve attended local high schools and career days. If a young person doesn’t know about an engineering career path by their early part of high school then it can become too late by the time they’re a senior. I hire the best talent possible and it’s just worked out that my staff is very diverse (50 percent female, mostly Latino). “In 2016, I was the lead project manager and engineer for an extreme engineering event called ‘Heaven Sent.’ This was a world record stunt where Luke Aikins jumped from 25,000 feet without a parachute – just the clothes on his back.” TZL: What are some of your key tactics for new business development? JC: Once I have our marketing and strategic plans set, then I have our team focus on only those markets. For example, we know that the industrial building markets are strong, so I have asked our existing clients who I should talk to in their organization who handles their industrial projects. I do have a director of sales and marketing, and the two of us try to participate in industry events that are in the vertical space of
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THE ZWEIG LETTER JULY 18, 2022, ISSUE 1449
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