• Amol Daxikar, associate management specialist, began working for CDM Smith as an intern in 1998 while pursuing his master’s in civil and environmental engineering at @rutgersu. Amol credits the many industry leaders and mentors he has worked with at CDM Smith over the past 2+ decades for enriching his professional life and helping him find success. “Caring for you is in our company’s DNA,” he explains. Whether he's leading an e-Builder system implementation for capital improvement programs or deploying tablet programs for large infrastructure projects, Amol is on a constant mission to streamline work. . HOW HAS YOUR CAREER EVOLVED SINCE YOU JOINED CDM SMITH? I have been privileged to have worked as an environmental engineer, GIS and database specialist, project manager and a Program/Project Management Information System implementation specialist. What I love about our firm is that we have always been at the forefront of technology. I enjoy helping clients adopt new technologies to solve their complex engineering problems. . WHAT MENTORS HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL TO YOUR CAREER GROWTH? Firas Makarem (spot him in photo 2!) who taught me to manage delicate situations and crisis management, and Tim Wall who taught me to always be forward-thinking and be the best at what you do. . WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK? In the past 6 months, my family has created more than 1,000 masks and gowns for the Boston-area medical community to support the COVID-19 response. I was also a den leader when my son was a cub scout and now, I am a volunteer in his troop’s journey as a boy scout. I am also a recreational bridge player and enjoy occasionally playing golf. . #FacesOfCDMSmith #AmazingCareers #Intern #ProjectManager #Engineering #Technology #GIS #PMIS #EBuilder #Mentorship #Volunteer #GivingBack #Bridge #Golf
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    Amol Daxikar, associate management specialist, began working for CDM Smith as an intern in 1998 while pursuing his master’s in civil and environmental engineering at @rutgersu. Amol credits the many industry leaders and mentors he has worked with at CDM Smith over the past 2+ decades for enriching his professional life and helping him find success. “Caring for you is in our company’s DNA,” he explains. Whether he's leading an e-Builder system implementation for capital improvement programs or deploying tablet programs for large infrastructure projects, Amol is on a constant mission to streamline work. . HOW HAS YOUR CAREER EVOLVED SINCE YOU JOINED CDM SMITH? I have been privileged to have worked as an environmental engineer, GIS and database specialist, project manager and a Program/Project Management Information System implementation specialist. What I love about our firm is that we have always been at the forefront of technology. I enjoy helping clients adopt new technologies to solve their complex engineering problems. . WHAT MENTORS HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL TO YOUR CAREER GROWTH? Firas Makarem (spot him in photo 2!) who taught me to manage delicate situations and crisis management, and Tim Wall who taught me to always be forward-thinking and be the best at what you do. . WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK? In the past 6 months, my family has created more than 1,000 masks and gowns for the Boston-area medical community to support the COVID-19 response. I was also a den leader when my son was a cub scout and now, I am a volunteer in his troop’s journey as a boy scout. I am also a recreational bridge player and enjoy occasionally playing golf. . #FacesOfCDMSmith #AmazingCareers #Intern #ProjectManager #Engineering #Technology #GIS #PMIS #EBuilder #Mentorship #Volunteer #GivingBack #Bridge #Golf
  • Erica Wellen chose to be an environmental engineer because she wanted to make positive change in the world. And she’s doing just that by working on projects that mitigate flooding, strengthen water supplies, protect the environment and improve communities. Approaching her 5-year anniversary at CDM Smith, she has been growing her technical and leadership skills and looks forward to what the future holds! . WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I was fortunate to go to a high school that put an emphasis on STEM-related programs by offering hands-on learning through Project Lead the Way courses. That became the foundation of my interest in a STEM-oriented career and I went on to obtain my BS in Environmental Engineering from @missourisandt. . WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST PROJECT AT CDM SMITH? I am proud of my involvement in developing the Missouri State Water Plan, which was a large effort to help Missouri identify and prioritize water issues, budget for current and future conditions and develop options for resolving gaps and stresses on their water supplies. . HOW HAS CDM SMITH PROVIDED YOU AN UNMATCHED EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE? I feel very fortunate that CDM Smith has put the health of their employees first and has created a flexible and effective environment to complete projects while working from home. I’ve also had several mentors help me grow technically and now, I have the opportunity to mentor young engineers. . WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK? Traveling to national parks. My most recent trip was to Rocky Mountain National Park where I hiked to Emerald Lake, drove through the alpine tundra along Trail Ridge Road and saw the abundance of wildlife. I also love skiing in Colorado with friends and family and volunteering as a leader of a group of high school girls at my church. . #FacesOfCDMSmith #EnvironmentalEngineer #Engineer #STEM #Water @pltworg #PLTW #Missouri #DrivenToSolve #UnmatchedEmployeeExperience #Mentor #Mentee #NationalParks #RockyMountainNationalPark #RockyMountains #Travel #Skiing #Hiking #GivingBack
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    Erica Wellen chose to be an environmental engineer because she wanted to make positive change in the world. And she’s doing just that by working on projects that mitigate flooding, strengthen water supplies, protect the environment and improve communities. Approaching her 5-year anniversary at CDM Smith, she has been growing her technical and leadership skills and looks forward to what the future holds! . WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I was fortunate to go to a high school that put an emphasis on STEM-related programs by offering hands-on learning through Project Lead the Way courses. That became the foundation of my interest in a STEM-oriented career and I went on to obtain my BS in Environmental Engineering from @missourisandt. . WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST PROJECT AT CDM SMITH? I am proud of my involvement in developing the Missouri State Water Plan, which was a large effort to help Missouri identify and prioritize water issues, budget for current and future conditions and develop options for resolving gaps and stresses on their water supplies. . HOW HAS CDM SMITH PROVIDED YOU AN UNMATCHED EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE? I feel very fortunate that CDM Smith has put the health of their employees first and has created a flexible and effective environment to complete projects while working from home. I’ve also had several mentors help me grow technically and now, I have the opportunity to mentor young engineers. . WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK? Traveling to national parks. My most recent trip was to Rocky Mountain National Park where I hiked to Emerald Lake, drove through the alpine tundra along Trail Ridge Road and saw the abundance of wildlife. I also love skiing in Colorado with friends and family and volunteering as a leader of a group of high school girls at my church. . #FacesOfCDMSmith #EnvironmentalEngineer #Engineer #STEM #Water @pltworg #PLTW #Missouri #DrivenToSolve #UnmatchedEmployeeExperience #Mentor #Mentee #NationalParks #RockyMountainNationalPark #RockyMountains #Travel #Skiing #Hiking #GivingBack
  • John Carr, a senior construction representative working in our Charlotte, NC office, has over 40 years of construction experience and worked with CDM Smith since 1997. An avid woodworker often crafting wooden puzzles, old school wooden toys and dog beds, John is also a vegetable gardener and a dedicated foster for pugs. He’s currently working on the East Neuse Regional Pump Station, a project valued at $55 million, and the Force Main Project for the city of Raleigh. He's also sporting a full beard for #Movember, a cause bringing awareness to men’s health issues. . HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS PROFESSION? It was a natural fit for me since I grew up around construction. My father was a superintendent and taught me things that most construction workers never learn—to be well rounded in all trades. He would have me hand drywall, run electrical conduits, air conditioning ducts, etc. . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB? I really enjoy meeting and talking with everyone, from laborers to upper management professionals, and learning where they’re coming from and their outlooks on the tasks at hand. My favorite professional experiences are the times I can pass on construction knowledge to young construction workers. . SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I dress up as Santa Claus every year for various charity groups and rescues starting as early as November 1 so they can use the photos for Christmas/holiday cards. I cannot be hired, I do it only for charities. . WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO? I have two. The first is, “Rescue one until there are none,” because people think they must save all dogs, and if you start with just saving one, it just may become infectious. The second is, “Just be nice,” because we can! . #FacesOfCDMSmith #Raleigh #NorthCarolina #Construction #SeniorManagement #DogRescue #PugRescue #Pug #SantaClaus #Leadership #Excellence
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    John Carr, a senior construction representative working in our Charlotte, NC office, has over 40 years of construction experience and worked with CDM Smith since 1997. An avid woodworker often crafting wooden puzzles, old school wooden toys and dog beds, John is also a vegetable gardener and a dedicated foster for pugs. He’s currently working on the East Neuse Regional Pump Station, a project valued at $55 million, and the Force Main Project for the city of Raleigh. He's also sporting a full beard for #Movember, a cause bringing awareness to men’s health issues. . HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS PROFESSION? It was a natural fit for me since I grew up around construction. My father was a superintendent and taught me things that most construction workers never learn—to be well rounded in all trades. He would have me hand drywall, run electrical conduits, air conditioning ducts, etc. . WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB? I really enjoy meeting and talking with everyone, from laborers to upper management professionals, and learning where they’re coming from and their outlooks on the tasks at hand. My favorite professional experiences are the times I can pass on construction knowledge to young construction workers. . SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I dress up as Santa Claus every year for various charity groups and rescues starting as early as November 1 so they can use the photos for Christmas/holiday cards. I cannot be hired, I do it only for charities. . WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO? I have two. The first is, “Rescue one until there are none,” because people think they must save all dogs, and if you start with just saving one, it just may become infectious. The second is, “Just be nice,” because we can! . #FacesOfCDMSmith #Raleigh #NorthCarolina #Construction #SeniorManagement #DogRescue #PugRescue #Pug #SantaClaus #Leadership #Excellence