A. My proudest moment was being assigned as the project manager for the rebuild of the section of the Pentagon destroyed by terrorists on September 11, 2001. Shortly into the work, the rebuild became known as “Project Phoenix.” ECS initially did a tremendous amount of testing and visual analysis for the structural engineer to determine how much of the damaged area needed to be demolished and to determine if the existing piles could carry the increased load of the replacement construction. To most of the project team, the work was more of a passion than a project. Everyone was focused on accomplishing the mission. For the most part, work proceeded 24-hours a day and 6-7 days per week.
After the event, no significant work could take place for 30 days out of respect for those killed and their families. In 11 months the damaged or destroyed sections of the building were demolished and removed. Then, approximately 400,000 square feet of new reinforced concrete construction was started. Exactly one year to the day after the crash, the new state-of-the-art facility was essentially complete and partially occupied.
Q. What excites you about your job?
A. A set of responsibilities that allows me to learn something new every day.
Q. What drew you to ECS originally? And how has ECS changed since?
A. Without a doubt it was Jim Baldridge who brought me into the ECS family. I was the construction project manager for a new toll road north of Dulles airport back in 1993. Jim from ECS visited the site to evaluate the excess blast rock available for possible use in a new subdivision adjacent to the road. After a few “where do I know you from?” questions, it turned out that we had been assigned to the same unit in Vietnam almost 25 years earlier. We stayed in touch. A couple of years later, as ECS was expanding, I got a call from Jim asking me to join the team.
Q. What is one thing you hope never changes at ECS?
A. The people and the atmosphere. The informal and friendly work environment makes it fun to come to work every day.
Q. Describe ECS in one word (and why)
A. Dynamic!
Q. What or who inspires you at ECS? / Who has influenced you the most at ECS?
A. Obviously, Jim Baldridge again but also Leo Titus. They both guided and supported me in the still- evolving technician training and quality assurance programs.