For the inaugural entry in our Owner Profile series, we thought we’d show our appreciation for one of the foundational groups in our company: our civil design staff. They are the backbone of all types of projects, from small-scale utility designs to large-scale civil site plans. Senior Civil Designer Pat Peterson has been with the firm since 2005 and has assisted with many such projects, including the Hawkins Avenue Water Main Extension and Goldston Sewer Collection System & Pump Station. He has also witnessed the company grow and change, including transitioning to an ESOP in 2014.
Without further ado, let’s dive in and get to know more about Pat!
What drew you to WithersRavenel originally?
I was moving here from San Diego and was looking for an engineering firm to work for. I interviewed and knew that WithersRavenel was the right size engineering firm for me. Not too big and not too small.
And how have things changed since?
I have seen logos and personnel change but the overall feel and the way WithersRavenel treats its employees is still the same as when I started, and it’s a big reason as to why I’m still working here today.
What do you like most about WithersRavenel?
I like the flexibility and freedom to be who I am and to bring whatever I have to offer to the team.
What has been your favorite project?
I think one of my favorite projects was the Western Wake Partners Beaver Creek and West Cary Force Mains. The project was an important part of the growth in SW Wake County. It was challenging in just the size and length of the project. The project allowed me to coordinate work with several different engineering firms and municipalities as well as others within WithersRavenel. I can drive by it most days of the week and actually point it out to people that I was a part of the project and what it was for.
What has had the biggest influence on your career path?
I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of great people that have been good mentors to me and helped me learn a lot along the way. I try to pay that forward now as I go along.
What is the achievement you’re most proud of?
I’d have to say my family. I have four great kids and a wonderful wife to share it all with. Although the “Respect Rock” I recently got at WithersRavenel is a close second.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Professionally I would say that it would be to never burn bridges. You never know where life is going to lead you and you may need to cross that bridge again someday.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 years?
I’m sure there are plenty of things life has in store for me but nothing in particular. I like to roll with the punches and enjoy whatever comes along. I have a daughter that will be going to college, a son that will be getting married and possibly be blessed with some grandkids along the way.
Bonus Round
Before working at WithersRavenel, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Had many jobs growing up from paperboy, car wash technician, burger flipper, janitor, construction worker, painter, blue printer, delivery driver, reptile tank builder but nothing super crazy. Once I got into engineering I worked at 2 engineering firms that were right on the beach (Carlsbad and Encinitas) and was able to surf on lunch breaks and before and after lunch. Couldn’t beat that!
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Surfing or AutoCad
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go & why?
Tavarua, Fiji. It’s a heart shaped island in the South Pacific with some of the best surf in the world. Who wouldn’t want to go?