Category: Engineering Leadership

Day in the Life: Nate Ulsas | Business Development & Sales Intern

Posted on by Shanna Evans

My name is Nate Ulsas. I am a business development & sales intern at Ross & Baruzzini. An average day for me at work includes a combination of meetings, marketing research, and submitting information into our sales database.

Each meeting is different, and I also received one-on-one training in addition to meet-and-greets with various people around the company, business conferences, client meetings in or outside the office, and even a military affairs meeting on an Air Force Base.

One project I have worked on includes organizing the company’s annual golf tournament. I completed the research and planning needed for us to switch from a traditional tournament to hosting the event at Top Golf for the first time this year.

As a sales intern, here you will learn the different functions of making sales proposals in each market; potential client and project research, operating sales databases, and how to successfully create and maintain networks necessary to succeed in the world of business development.

Day in the Life: Luke Muckerheide | Mechanical Intern

Posted on by Shanna Evans

My name is Luke Muckerheide, and I am an upcoming sophomore at Purdue University studying mechanical engineering. I chose Ross & Baruzzini for my first summer internship because I heard good things about the company and the work seemed interesting. The first week of my internship was mostly onboarding activities to get me set up on the company’s systems and programs while preparing for the work I would be doing.

By the second week, I was already working on projects with the mechanical team, going on-site visits, and talking with suppliers to get equipment with the right specs. Within the next couple of weeks, I started on my biggest project of the summer: The Indiana University School of Medicine.

After learning the basics of Revit, I was given the freedom to look through our model of this expansive, ten-story building. I was looking to fix any conflicts between pipes and ducts in the confined area between ceilings and floors called the plenum space.

At first, I would just fix minor errors by nudging one pipe or duct slightly out of the way (after checking the ends to be sure I would not hit something else). But as I gradually got accustomed to the program and the building, I gradually worked on larger and larger fixes. After this project, my coworkers gave me other tasks, including, markups (implementing an engineer’s on-paper sketch into a CAD model), basic calculations, and moving data around on schedules (large spreadsheets with information about mechanical equipment).

The great thing about this internship is that you immediately get involved with real-world work. After review, the HVAC systems I worked on can be put into buildings. The documents and schematics I worked with will be sent to contractors and building owners. You can walk into a hospital or classroom in ten years and know that your work is a part of it. That’s the greatest thing about building engineering and you get to experience it yourself as an intern at Ross & Baruzzini.

Day in the Life: Kalib Morales | Mobility Systems Intern

Posted on by Shanna Evans

As a student at the University of Delaware for civil engineering, I have always dreamt of working in infrastructure. Roads, bridges, trains, housing – they all pique my interest in leaving a positive mark on the world. Here at Ross & Baruzzini, my dreams are a reality.

Hi, my name is Kalib, I am the Mobility Systems Intern at Ross & Baruzzini. For this internship, I had the option to work hybrid, giving me access to my own personal office.

My office had plenty of room for work.

Along with this wonderful desk, I was able to get a great view of Lansdale, PA. Since my first day, this internship has been enlightening, to say the least. I have learned so much and worked on projects that positively impacted our community.

My favorite project (so far) is working with a transportation department to provide van transit options for limited-income communities. Some other projects I have worked on include overhauling the of SEPTA systems used for their entire train grid. I have also had the pleasure of going out to a SEPTA location to test the changes and determine if the software is working correctly.

The window view from my desk.

As the first intern in Mobility Systems, I gained critical experience finding information on projects and processes. This has been a great opportunity to learn and grow. I would say this is the best internship experience I have ever had. While the team is smaller, the work environment is phenomenal. This team provided clear direction and helpful support; they wanted me and the project to succeed.

On a typical day, I read specifications, completed research, and created spreadsheets or presentations. My time here has been my best work experience, and I can’t imagine working with a different team.

The projects I worked on varied, but had one common theme, finding the ideal solution for the client.

Day in the Life: Emre Guvenilir | Database Intern

Posted on by Shanna Evans

I am a rising sophomore studying computer science at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where I am part of the men’s soccer team. I am a database and application development intern at Ross & Baruzzini working with the application development team. I am working remotely from my hometown in Long Island, New York.

During my internship, I’ve worked on a variety of projects including helping code applications to promote the team’s goal of reducing company expenses. I have used programming languages such as JQuery, JavaScript, and Java. I work closely with our web application developers, Austin Frederick and Alex Jones, to create CA-Services and Chalkboard programs, which will promote collaboration between divisions and groups.

In addition, I collaborate with our data scientist, Garrett Cohen, to help our team maintain and clean our database, using scripts written in Python and SQL, as well as utilizing data visualization in PowerBI. I also took part in a key project designing a script to handle similar file names. This script determines which files need to be maintained and which could be discarded.

I also worked closely with PowerApps, a simplified version of hard-coding apps, to support project collaboration. Our PowerApps system will aid in reducing wait time and centralize outgoing communications.

This internship has allowed me to not only learn more about computer science, data visualization, and programming and gain an understanding of working in a corporate environment. Working with people outside of the app development team to solve issues allows me to see how teams within companies interact and being part of that problem-solving process is exciting.

My entire team is supportive and helps me when I need it, but they also let me figure out issues on my own to learn how to troubleshoot appropriately before asking for help. There were times I would be stuck on a problem, but with the help of Google, a programmer’s best friend, and a little bit of critical thinking, I have been able to solve many of the issues I came across.

Honoring International Women in Engineering Day 2022

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Our organization is committed to supporting the women who contribute to Ross & Baruzzini’s success. Women across our different teams, from aviation to accounting, are extraordinary models of skill, experience, and tenacity.

Ross & Baruzzini is celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2022 by recognizing several of our engineers, leaders, and designers:

Tori Gillespie, PE, Director of Operations – Healthcare, Featured in Thrive Global

Tori Gillespie was recently featured in a Thrive Global community article on reaching career goals and finding a role that brings long-term satisfaction:

“Refrain from saying ‘no’ until you really have evaluated the opportunity,” she says. “You should not be afraid if something takes you outside of your comfort zone. With every challenge, there is an opportunity for growth. If there is something you are not sure about, ask questions. There’s nothing wrong with weighing the pros and cons. Anytime I am unsure of an opportunity, I discuss it with my advocate and personal board of directors. I like to get feedback from others to see things from a different perspective and view.”

As a Director of Operations, she leads multi-discipline teams, managing scope, schedule, and budget to deliver high-performing building infrastructure systems that meet her healthcare client’s goals. Some of her notable project clients include Siteman Cancer Center, BJC HealthCare, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mobility Systems Vice President – Managing Principal, Megan Huff, PfMP, Accepted into Chief Women in Leadership Network, for Second Consecutive Year

Earlier this year, we were excited to congratulate Megan Huff on her second year with Chief.

Chief’s mission is to drive women to the top — and keep them there. As a private network for powerful women, it’s the only organization specifically designed for women at the highest levels of leadership. At a time when women’s participation in the workforce is at a 33-year low, supporting women in leadership is more vital than ever.

As a member of Chief, Megan is in good company with executive leaders from Google, Square, IBM, and many other leading businesses. “We really are focused on building a community and resources specifically for executive women,” says Chief co-founder Carolyn Childers.

Celebrating the Women of Ross & Baruzzini – “Alone We Can Do So Little, Together We Can Do So Much.”

This quote from Helen Keller highlights the power of teamwork, and we are proud to salute our innovative talent across our firm leading teams, managing deadlines, and keeps projects on track for success in our Women of Ross & Baruzzini series:

Celebrating the Women of Ross & Baruzzini: Government & Accounting

Celebrating the Women of Ross & Baruzzini: Mobility and Security

Celebrating the Women of Ross & Baruzzini: Business Development and Marketing

Celebrating the Women of Ross & Baruzzini: Medical Equipment Planning

Celebrating the Women of Ross & Baruzzini: Healthcare, Higher Education, and Human Resources

Celebrating the Women of Ross & Baruzzini: Indianapolis and Kansas City Offices

Tori Gillespie, Director of Operations – Healthcare, Featured in Thrive Global

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Tori Gillespie, Director of Operations – Healthcare, was recently featured in a Thrive Global community article on reaching career goals and finding a role that brings long-term satisfaction:

By staying open-minded, you set yourself up for success when nontraditional or surprising opportunities come your way. For instance, let’s say a recruiter or old coworker reaches out to you on LinkedIn for a role you’ve never considered. If there’s a chance it could help you reach your overarching life and career goals, you should explore it!

Tori Gillespie, healthcare market director of operations at Ross & Baruzzini, recommends engaging in any conversations regarding the new opportunity.

“Refrain from saying ‘no’ until you really have evaluated the opportunity,” she says. “You should not be afraid if something takes you outside of your comfort zone. With every challenge, there is an opportunity for growth. If there is something you are not sure about, ask questions. There’s nothing wrong with weighing the pros and cons. Anytime I am unsure of an opportunity, I discuss it with my advocate and personal board of directors. I like to get feedback from others to see things from a different perspective and view.”

As a Director of Operations, she leads multi-discipline teams, managing scope, schedule, and budget to deliver high-performing building infrastructure systems that meet her healthcare client’s goals. Some of her notable project clients include Siteman Cancer Center, BJC HealthCare, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

To learn more about opportunities at Ross & Baruzzini, visit our Careers page.

Ross & Baruzzini Engineering Wins Commercial Real Estate Awards 2022 for Saint Louis Zoo Project

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Last month, our work for The Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails project at the Saint Louis Zoo was featured in the St. Louis Business Journal’s Commercial Real Estate Awards 2022 for Community Impact.

DILIP VISHWANAT | SLBJ

Design for the $13 million project began in 2017 with the chief intent to add state-of-the-art, innovative outdoor habitats for Old World monkeys, New World monkeys, and lemurs. The size and scope of the project evolved over time before construction began in late 2019, and the project opened to the public in July 2021.

The new 35,000 SF facility allows all of the primates living at the primate house to access the outdoors, many for the first time, and is helping the zoo improve animal care and well-being of the primates with enriching outdoor habitats, sunlight, and fresh air.

Zoo visitors can now experience the primates from unique vantage points, including a 200-foot-long canopy-level boardwalk. The Saint Louis Zoo attracts approximately 3 million visitors annually and is the most-visited attraction in the region. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Saint Louis Zoo is part of an elite group of institutions that meet the highest standards in animal care.

Read the full news story from St. Louis Business Journal here.

Leverage our award-winning MEP and Fire Protection services for your next project: schedule an expert consultation here.

After 5 Years in Kansas City, Ross & Baruzzini Celebrates Wins and Looks to the Future

Posted on by Shanna Evans

As our Kansas City office celebrates five years, we’re excited to see this team’s continued success across healthcare, science and technology, and public sectors. 

Rendering from UMKC School of Computing and Engineering

Since opening, they have completed over 75 projects totaling $300+ million in combined construction costs with notable projects including the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise and Research Center at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, completed science laboratory renovations for Johnson County Community College, and handled renovations at the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

“Based on the success we’ve seen in Kansas City in a short time, we’re excited to see what the future holds,” says Dan Phelan, Office Director for Ross & Baruzzini’s Kansas City office. “These projects helped demonstrate our ability to provide our clients with innovative solutions and exceptional service, particularly on challenging, multi-phase renovation projects. As our office continues to grow, we look forward to providing our clients with the full spectrum of our firm’s engineering and consulting services to deliver leading-edge solutions to their most complex problems — all while providing top-notch customer service.”

The Kansas City team plans to move to a larger office space in Overland Park, Kansas, to better serve its Missouri and Kansas clients while providing ample space for the growing team. The team is currently located in Prairie Village, Kansas.

“We have several exciting projects on the horizon, so I don’t see our momentum in the Kansas City region slowing down,” says Elizabeth Graff, Business Development Director for Ross & Baruzzini’s Midwest region. “With several upcoming projects at the University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Missouri–Kansas City, and Johnson County Community College — in addition to several significant opportunities in the healthcare, science and technology, and public sectors — I’m confident we’ll continue to build on our successes for many years to come.”

Read the full press release from Cision PR Newswire.

Megan Huff, Vice President and Managing Principal – Mobility Systems, Featured in CEOWORLD Magazine

Posted on by Shanna Evans

We are excited to share Megan Huff, PfMP, Vice President and Managing Principal – Mobility Systems, was featured in a recent CEOWORLD magazine article by Rhett Power on breaking down barriers between people and technology:

“By breaking down silos and encouraging technology integration, agencies can better understand the customer journey and improve the design of the transit experience,” says Megan Huff, Vice President and Managing Principal – Mobility Systems at Ross & Baruzzini. “But technology itself won’t solve the problem; it’s only an enabler. Agencies need to thoroughly invest in change management. Even if an agency pledges $100 million to collect and analyze more transportation data analytics, nothing will change if it doesn’t use the data to drive behavioral changes across the entire organization. That’s a people problem that must be addressed through strategic thinking and cooperation.”

Her quote originally appears in her article “There’s a Problem With Technology Integration When It Comes to Public Transit in the U.S., and It’s Not the Tech” where she dives into the importance of removing organizational silos that keep technology, people, and processes stuck in the status quo.

Visit our Mobility Systems page for more information.

Medical Equipment Planning Employee Promotions – March 2022

Posted on by Shanna Evans

We’re celebrating more Medical Equipment Planning promotions this week! We’re proud to congratulate more of our Medical Equipment Planning colleagues who are celebrating significant promotions this week. Congratulations to Joseline Rodriguez, Allison Foster, Joanne Worman, and Ryan Larsen.

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Joseline Rodriguez
Senior Project Coordinator

While a key team member on the Army Public Health Center project for more than two years, Joseline also supports various projects in the Houston area. We appreciate her hard work and dedication and look forward to her continued success in Medical Equipment Planning.

Allison Foster
Senior Project Coordinator

Allison holds a Master’s degree in Communication and her advanced degree is a major help in keeping projects moving forward. Allison always takes the initiative to support multiple projects, on various planning platforms, all while having a great attitude.

Joanne Worman
Procurement Project Manager

For nearly five years, Joanne has supported multiple federal projects. Now the project lead on the Army Public Health Center project, she continues to push for success and great outcomes as installation and activation quickly approach.

Ryan Larsen
Senior BIM Planner / Equipment Planner

Ryan has done great work since joining our team just over a year ago. His BIM and medical planning skills have garnered praise from clients and team members alike. We appreciate all Ryan has accomplished and look forward to continued success here at Ross & Baruzzini.