A Young Engineer’s Experience with the ACEC/MA Genesis Leadership Development Program

by Doug Reed, PE, FosterGrowth, and member of the ACEC./MA Leadership Education Committee

The following are excerpts of an interview with Mr. Zach DiSalvo, Plumbing Project Engineer with Fitzemeyer & Tocci. Genesis is the first of four Leadership Development Programs offered each year by ACEC/MA. There are 3 sessions, marketing, project profitability and communications. Both member and non-member firms are eligible to participate. Who are candidates in your firm who should attend?

Doug: Zach, how long have you been with Fitzemeyer & Tocci?

Zach: I just crossed over four years.

Doug: How did you learn of the Genesis Program?

Zach: Through our company. I believe our HR team keeps track of the classes and certifications that our employees have and I was chosen because it would put me in a better position for understanding how projects work and to put my name out there saying we’re experts and we’re ready to learn.

Doug: What was the number one reason you that you said yes to attending?

Zach: Honestly, I love taking classes. I want to keep learning all the time. If you spend too much time without learning, you get stagnant. I end up doing mostly engineering, mostly design, and it’s nice to know how projects get made, how they are accepted, what my company is looking for in a project, and also how to better manage interpersonal relationships.

Doug: What were your take-aways from the Genesis Program?

Zach:  It focused on how valuable employees are to a company and towards a successful company, and how to decipher which project you should jump on and a go/no-go analysis. I also learned how to pay attention to the employees themselves, how to manage when people are a little negative or emotional and how to communicate effectively and make sure everybody’s happy.

Doug: Out of all the content from the Genesis program, is there anything that you’ve applied in your workplace?

Zach: I’ve learned how important it is to get employees’ utilization up.  I’ve learned what projects may be a good or bad decision to jump on, how those decisions are made. And, in some cases where a project might not be really profitable, it might set up other projects.

Doug: Thank you Zach. I am glad you found the program so valuable.

For information on Genesis or the other ACEC/MA Leadership Programs contact ACEC/MA or 617-227-5551.