Culture

 

Having joined the team as part of the Manhard integration, Jim brings deep roots in the Midwest market, a career shaped by economic cycles, and a passion for building the right teams. In this Q&A, he shares what drew him to civil engineering, the lessons that have stayed with him throughout his career, and what he sees ahead for Atwell.

What inspired you to pursue civil engineering and land development?

Growing up, I always liked Legos and taking things apart to figure out how they worked. I had a couple of uncles who were civil engineers, so the field was always somewhere in the back of my mind. The real clarity came in a freshman engineering class in college, where a civil engineer and a mechanical engineer each came in to talk about what their careers looked like. The mechanical engineer described everything from designing roller coaster components to refrigerator bolts. That didn’t appeal to me. What I liked about the civil side was that you can actually see the work: you can drive past it, point it out to your family, and say, “I worked on that.” That connection to the real world, to the places that people live and work, is ultimately what drew me to land development.

Tell us about your career journey leading to Atwell.

I started full-time in 2005 with a local firm of about 100 people. Those early years were a great foundation. When the recession hit after 2008, the firm went through some significant downsizing, but staying through that period made me a more well-rounded engineer. With lean teams, I had the opportunity to manage, design, and draft all at once. You learned everything. In 2011, our group merged with Manhard, and I spent the next 14 years there growing from project manager to Managing Director and Vice President, overseeing the Midwest region, and eventually helping lead operations in Texas . Now, as a VP at Atwell focused on the central region, I’m excited to bring that experience into a bigger, more nationally-scaled platform.

What excites you most about what’s ahead at Atwell and where do you see market opportunities?

A few things stand out. The strength of our teams has created a really strong, combined talent base, and we’re still in the process of getting to know each other and figuring out who can help where and how to build the best teams. That’s actually the fun part to me, connecting the dots between the relationships we have and the expanded services we can now offer. Capabilities like Atwell’s Power and Energy group and our national footprint open doors with existing clients that simply weren’t there before we joined forces.

On the market side, I see strong demand continuing in residential and industrial both in the Midwest and Texas. It seems like the industrial markets have definitely picked up. I would say Chicago has always been a big hub for industrial work and we do an excellent job in that space throughout the country. There’s always a need for industrial buildings and the distribution and distinct types of work that’s been out there which continues to be a strength for us.

Data centers and mission-critical facilities are certainly a significant growth area, and I think the Atwell team has a truly impressive resume there that we’re just beginning to leverage. We’re also working to build out our solar and renewable capabilities in a more focused way, which has real runway. The goal across all of it is to be a full service go-to firm and we have the talent to do that.

What is a career moment or project you’re most proud of?

My very first project out of college was D.R. Horton’s Carillon Club in Naperville. It’s a 220-acre active adult community with a golf course. I jumped in on day one and stayed with it for many years, from early design through completion. It was one plan set after another and an incredible learning opportunity. I still occasionally drive past it. I think about how formative it was to design a large project from start to finish so early in my career. It was also instrumental in learning how to build valuable relationships with our clients. A key component of our job that I tried to replicate with each new client.

More recently, wrapping up a 530-acre adult community for Pulte in Aurora was another highlight. It’s a great reminder of the scale and impact this work can have in the community with the residential and commercial components.

What are the biggest challenges in your work, and how do you navigate them?

In my experience, the hardest parts of the job are rarely the technical ones. They’re the people dynamics. The most rewarding relationships are with clients who treat you like a partner and trusted advisor and genuinely want you as part of their team. When a client calls you first about their next project, that means something. Those are the partnerships where you want to go the extra mile.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I’ve been married since 2014, and we have two kids. I have an 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. Between his soccer schedule and her gymnastics, our weekends are pretty well organized for us. I try to get out and golf in the summers when I can, though that gets harder as we get busier.

We’ve also made family travel a priority. Disney has become a regular destination over the last couple of years, and we’re trying to keep adding new experiences and locations each year. At this stage in life, most of the best moments happen around what the kids are doing, and that’s a good thing!

 

Jesse Conrad brings nearly two decades of experience in land development and civil engineering to Atwell. Jesse now helps guide Atwell’s expanding Texas team while leveraging the firm’s broader national platform to pursue new opportunities. We sat down with Jesse to learn more about what drew him to the industry, what it takes to thrive in it, and what the integration of Manhard and Atwell means for the future.

What drew you to a career in real estate and land development?

It really comes down to family. My father worked in real estate, land development, and acquisition, and I had a lot of respect for what he did. Growing up, I spent time driving around half-built subdivisions on the way to and from sporting events. He was always working on something. I was always stronger in math and science and as I got older and learned more about what he did, I seriously considered pursuing it professionally.

I leaned into engineering for my degree, and while I always thought I’d eventually go back for an MBA or a law degree, I got into the industry and just kept learning. There was always something new to understand, something that challenged me. I never felt the pull to step away.

Tell us about your current role and what you’re focused on right now. 

My focus is really supporting our folks in Texas. A big part of that is leveraging the broader Atwell brand and expanded service offerings and geographic footprint alongside relationships I’ve built over nearly 20 years in the industry. On the local side, I’m often supporting team members day-to-day: reviewing proposals, assisting with client conversations, and helping kick off projects on the right foot. In terms of national efforts, I’m pursuing opportunities we simply couldn’t have gone after previously at Manhard, because we didn’t have the right personnel or service offering at the time. That’s been one of the most exciting parts of this chapter.

Share more about your experience with the integration of Manhard and Atwell.

It’s gone as well as it has because of alignment from the top down. Philosophically, both companies were aligned in terms of growth philosophy, on the type of associates we want, and on the type of clients we want to serve. The things Atwell has that Manhard didn’t are so genuinely complementary. It provides more robust opportunity for all our associates to grow within a bigger organization and reach milestones faster than we could have previously.

What are some of the most common challenges in land development, and how do you approach them?

On the client and project side, I always encourage coming in with an open mind and a genuine interest in win-win solutions. You need to understand what the end goal is for the client and for the community. Every community has its own drivers and own definition of success. Before you walk in with a project, especially one that will go through zoning, entitlements, or neighborhood meetings, you need to do your homework. You need to give people a real seat at the table, listen to their concerns, and understand their perspective. That groundwork is what sets up a project for long-term success.

Do you have a favorite phase of a project?

I’m a bit of a deal junkie, honestly. I love the initial stages. It’s creative problem-solving, finding solutions that work for the client and fit the community. But that creative energy shows up throughout a project, not just at the beginning. The ability to adapt on the fly, come up with solutions under pressure, and find those win-win moments, that’s what gets me out of bed.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your career so far?

Without question, it’s the team we built in Texas over the last eight years. A lot went into that. It was a true team approach. Everyone played to their strengths and checked their egos at the door. Reflecting on it now, being able to support the team and their career journeys, watching the organization grow throughout the state of Texas, that’s the most rewarding thing. Even more than the great client work and exciting projects, it’s the people.

What skills do you think are most critical to success in this industry?

Continuous learning is at the top of the list. This industry evolves at a pace that keeps accelerating, and you have to be willing to constantly reassess your approach while staying grounded in the principles you learned early in your career.

Beyond that, communication is paramount. You simply cannot over-communicate in this industry. There are always opportunities to do it better and more frequently, both internally and externally.

And finally, self-awareness. Being able to honestly assess your own strengths and weaknesses, lean into your strengths, and be willing to be a little vulnerable about where you need to grow separates the people who plateau from the ones who keep developing.

What do the next three to five years look like for the team in Texas?

I think we’re just getting started. We’ve seen significant growth but there’s still enormous runway ahead. We have a strong footprint across North Texas, Austin, and Houston, and real opportunity to deepen our presence in Houston and San Antonio.

I think we could realistically double what we’re doing in Texas with the right people joining the team and giving the people we already have the chance to step into bigger roles. That’s the fun part: building it together.

Outside of work, how do you spend your time?

My kids are 13, seven, and five, so wherever they are, that’s where I am. Right now, the youngest is into monster trucks, so we just went to Monster Jam. The oldest plays baseball and does a lot of theater. We travel as a family as much as we can and really prioritize creating memories together.

Beyond family, I’m a huge sports fan. Born and raised in Chicago, so I’m still a loyal Chicago sports fan through and through. I’ve warmed up to the Rangers since Cubs fans and Rangers fans can coexist fine since they’re in different leagues  and I’ll cheer for the Stars while the Blackhawks rebuild. But I’m not quite ready to cheer for the Cowboys. That’s a line I haven’t crossed yet.

 

In honor of Black History Month, we sat down with some of our Black employees to discuss their backgrounds, how they pursued their current career paths, and what Black History Month means to them:

• Derrek Yates is a Senior Technology Specialist at Atwell
• Deshon Fox is a Director of Engineering at Atwell
• Maya Puller is a Senior Design Associate at RVi
• Kiara Warburton is a Civil Engineer at Atwell
• Merissa Martin is a Marketing Manager at RVi

What inspired you to pursue this career path? 

Derrek: I have always been passionate about technology and seeing things being built. Even from a young age, I enjoyed playing with Legos and game systems, and I think those interests have led me down this path.

Deshon: I enjoyed Physics in high school, and I loved the idea of designing things. This led me to pursue a career in Engineering. My second choice in college was architecture.

Maya: I have always had a passion for plants and thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. I earned a degree in Plant Science with a focus on Horticulture and Design, which provided me with a solid foundation in plant science and landscape design fundamentals. Throughout college, I explored various career paths, but it wasn’t until my senior year—when I took a Landscape Design course—that everything clicked. This experience taught me how to merge my love for plants, creativity, and design into a meaningful career, ultimately inspiring me to pursue landscape architecture.

Kiara: From as early as fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be a civil engineer. In elementary school, I was selected for a special program for fourth and fifth graders that allowed us to attend classes at Northwestern University every Saturday for about two months. We explored various career paths through art, music, writing, and science classes. While I enjoyed several of these subjects, the computer and civil engineering classes stood out to me. As I continued to grow, my interest deepened by joining the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and taking civil engineering classes in high school. This confirmed that civil engineering was the career I truly wanted to pursue.

Merissa: My favorite cousin, whom I have always admired, played a significant role in my decision to switch from civil engineering to marketing within the AEC industry. Through her, I realized that the marketing and business fields offer limitless career paths, allowing me to create the future I’ve always dreamed of.

What challenges have you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them? 

Derrek: One of the most difficult challenges I have faced in my career involved repeated encounters with racial profiling while commuting to work in Southern Maryland. A particular police officer regularly stopped me while I was riding my motorcycle or driving my car, often in the mornings on my way to the office. These stops became so frequent that I began leaving earlier than necessary, anticipating being pulled over and delayed. Each time, the explanation was simply, “Just checking to make sure everything is clean.”

Eventually, local police temporarily moved into our building, and the officer came to understand my role and why I was there each day. After that, the stops stopped entirely. Years later, the officer was promoted to a senior position within Maryland law enforcement and sent me a letter apologizing for his behavior. He acknowledged that the way I handled myself throughout those encounters helped him recognize and correct his own racial profiling.

Deshon: As a father of four, there were times when my children were younger that it was a challenge to balance work with parental obligations. Thanks to my wife, who has been an extraordinary mother, I was able to pursue new ventures while remaining grounded and connected to my household.

Maya: Coming into landscape architecture without a formal education in the field was initially challenging, as I often felt the need to work harder to bridge knowledge gaps. I overcame this by actively seeking opportunities to learn. I asked questions, welcomed feedback, and learned directly from highly experienced coworkers who were generous with their time and knowledge. Through collaboration, mentorship, and hands-on experience, I’ve slowly gained confidence in my abilities and developed a stronger sense of belonging within the profession.

Kiara: School was one of the most challenging parts of my journey to where I am today. To truly learn, you need teachers who are invested in your success, and for me, that support was not always there. Attending college during the COVID pandemic made things even more challenging, as many of my professors were not accustomed to teaching online. This set me back academically and required me to add two extra years to my college experience. Despite these challenges, I pushed through and got all the help I could get from outside resources, friends, and teaching assistants. I am proud of how far I have come and am deeply grateful to be where I am today.

Merissa: Unlike many of my colleagues and other young professionals, I did not have a formal mentor. As a result, I had to navigate challenges independently and make decisions with limited guidance. To overcome this, I became highly self-directed, seeking out available resources, asking questions, and learning by observing other leaders.

What has been one of the proudest moments in your career so far? 

Derrek: I’m proud of the work I do to improve myself and grow; this allows me to support and uplift my coworkers. I see our team as one big family that reaches almost every part of the globe. Witnessing the relief that comes from resolving issues is the greatest reward I could ask for.

Deshon: One of my proudest moments was opening my own firm in the Bahamas in 2010. The experience was deeply rewarding, and I valued every part of the journey, including the challenges that helped shape me as a professional.

Maya: One of my proudest moments was being recruited by Hitchcock Design Group prior to the RVi merger. While it may seem like a small milestone, being recognized by a respected firm was incredibly meaningful to me. It affirmed that my skills, background, and dedication were valued, and it gave me renewed confidence in my ability to grow and succeed in the landscape architecture industry.

Kiara: I am still at the beginning of my career, so I do not have many professional accomplishments yet. However, graduating from college is something I am extremely proud of, as it represents the hard work and perseverance it took to get me to this point.

Merissa: One of my proudest moments was in a previous role, when a long-standing client asked us to conduct staff surveys, followed by team workshops and a retreat informed by the findings. This type of engagement was a first for both the firm and me. As the marketing lead, I developed and compiled the proposal, and due to my background in HR, the Director of Learning and Organizational Development invited me to join the project team. Winning the project was especially meaningful, as it validated both my strategic leadership in securing the work and my ability to contribute beyond my core marketing role.

What does Black History Month mean to you personally or professionally? 

Derrek: For me, it is about awareness and creating space for others to see themselves reflected in these stories. When people hear these experiences from someone who looks like them, it can be a powerful reminder that they are not alone. Even if they are struggling in silence, our presence, resilience, and success show that we are here and thriving, regardless of our backgrounds or the narratives we carry.

Deshon: I see real value in taking time to reflect on the accomplishments, contributions, and progress of Black Americans. While I do not personally define myself by my skin color, I believe learning from this history is meaningful and important.

Maya: Black History Month reminds me of both the challenges and responsibilities that come with being a Black professional in landscape architecture, a field where representation remains limited. With only 2–3% of licensed landscape architects identifying as Black, I am motivated to take up space, contribute meaningfully, and help shape a profession that is more inclusive and reflective of diverse voices. This month is an opportunity to honor the progress made while actively working toward greater equity and representation in the future.

Kiara: Black History Month is both personal and professional for me. It is a time to reflect on the strength and resilience of those who came before me and created the opportunities that allow me to be where I am today. I have a fond memory of attending a conference and walking into an NSBE event. It was the first time I had seen so many members of the Black community represented within the industry. In that moment, I felt truly seen, represented, and welcomed, with an immediate and powerful sense of belonging. As a Black civil engineer early in my career, it reinforces that my journey matters and that representation truly makes a difference. It encouraged me to take pride in how far I have come and to be intentional in how I show up, contribute, and lead each day at work.

Merissa: It’s a time to reflect and honor Black pioneers who played a critical role in shaping the foundation of the world we live in today. Personally, it is important to me to acknowledge Black contributors and forefathers who laid the groundwork, ensuring their stories, sacrifices, and achievements are recognized and carried forward! My connection to Black History Month goes beyond reflection. It lives in my family. My aunt, Leah Sears Ward, is the first Black Supreme Court Justice in Georgia, and my great-uncle, Dabney Montgomery, served as a bodyguard for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was a Tuskegee Airman. I am incredibly proud to carry their legacy, to have their blood running through my veins, and to be connected to the history they helped shape.