Engineering Careers with Purpose

I originally came to KCA because my wife worked here! I’ve stayed because I really like the family atmosphere that KCA strives to provide, and because we’re really treated as people, and not just profit centers.

I started as a Field Technician, and once I found GIS, I jumped into that and never looked back! It’s always been a challenge, as the workload grew with the company’s growth. The Dunedin Causeway Vulnerability Assessment has really stretched and grown my experience with GIS, and it’s one of the few projects where the GIS work is a central part of the project.

I enjoy the atmosphere, and the people, and the lengths that KCA goes to to support morale and make this a place that people like to come to work. I doubt that most companies have the number of people return after leaving that KCA does!

What I enjoy most about working at KCA is the way the company treats its employees and the strong camaraderie among coworkers. KCA is made up of experienced, knowledgeable professionals who are always willing to help, which creates a supportive and motivating workplace. I would describe KCA’s culture as a family environment that offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Ultimately, that combination—along with the encouragement and support I’ve received throughout my career—has made KCA the place where I’ve chosen to build my long-term career.

I have learned so much and absolutely love what I do–but our KCA family has got to be the thing I enjoy the most. You are not just joining a company or a team—you are joining a family that cares about the individual. KCA sees the potential in the individual. They do their best to mentor and develop the individual to enhance and bring out their best qualities. When you love where you work and what you do, you will do your utmost best for your work family.

Graduating during the recession was challenging for most college graduates, forcing many to continue their education or explore alternative industries. I was fortunate to land an internship at KCA in the summer of 2009 through Paul Foley, under the guidance of Richard Harrison in the Roadway Group. As a structures graduate, it was rewarding to know that KCA supported me in pursuing professional goals across multiple areas of engineering focus.

Now, looking back on 17 years with KCA, I recognize that my growth is a direct result of the company’s culture and the many mentors who have guided me along the way, too many to name, but many of whom have become close friends. KCA feels like my second family, and I’m truly grateful to be part of the company’s growth and its ongoing engineering legacy.

I’ve been a staff member at KCA since 1996. For nearly 30 years working with my friends, beginning as a Sr. Inspector and evolving into a Project Administrator, I provided start-to-finish CEI services for 18 construction projects with one lasting over 8 years and involvement in numerous others.

Over the years I’ve always appreciated working with Tim Heath. Our teams have always been supported by the leadership of the firm, from way back in the day experiencing regular visits from Jack Campo, Joe LaRussa, Steve McGucken, Colleen Carter, and others to today with Paul Foley, Dewey Martin, Jolie Marjama, and Mike Campo. Backstage and in the background, you can always rely on Ron Gott and his accounting team members and the marketing staff.

What do I love most about KCA? Long lasting gainful employment with the opportunity to grow and advance. Good people who care about their work. Opportunity for my family to live in the beautiful state of North Carolina. Opportunity to teach and lead younger staff.

KCA values their employees and acknowledges their efforts. It is a place that challenges you to do your best work and be the best engineer you can be through challenging and stimulating projects. It is a place that has allowed me to build long-lasting professional and personal relationships with peers.

As a 15-year employee of KCA, I have had the opportunity to advance in position and to work in three separate KCA offices. In all of these places, the atmosphere has generally been the same. It is a place that encourages growth, rewards hard work and dedication, and treats employees as human beings with family and live outside of the workplace. KCA has provided me with the opportunity to grow experientially and professionally and has provided me with the opportunity to support my family well.

Every (and I mean every) project I have participated in has provided me the opportunity to learn and shape the engineer that I am today.

I have grown from an intern to a professional engineer, to now learning more about business development and taking on new roles in project management as well. My entire career has been with KCA, and every step of the way as I have sought to grow and take on opportunities, the sky has been the limit for KCA saying “Yes!” and supporting me in those goals.

I love many things about KCA, but they can mostly be summarized with this…KCA cares greatly about their people, and KCA has great people who care. In our industry, it matters and makes a difference when the people you work with are passionate about what they do. The transportation industry is, at the end of the day, about connecting and serving our communities. I have found that most everyone at KCA doesn’t just roll out of bed to get a paycheck, but because they care about people and doing good through their work. KCA’s caring employees are supported by a company that takes care of them as well.