What drew you to the construction industry?  Architecture drew me in originally, I had this ideology that designing and building a building was the epitome of "functional art", which I still hold. Everything about the process was exciting to me; someone could draw a sketch, and that idea could become a physical space in time. Stepping into the design-build side of this industry opened me up to more learning opportunities; I now could see these buildings being constructed and be on the team that was doing it. The idea that I could build off of (no pun intended) my previous experience in Architecture and learn more about the "hands-on" aspect of the construction industry was extremely fascinating.  What is the most rewarding part of your job?  The relationships. The construction industry depends on people knowing and trusting one another with the work that they're doing. Every day I get to talk to people inside and outside the office who are all working towards the common goal of "completing the project". It's a team-based atmosphere unlike almost any other.  What are your career aspirations?  This is a difficult question. I want to continue to learn and grow and help others do the same. I just want to learn as much as I can and be a trusted resource for those who need it.  What have you achieved thus far in your career that you are most proud of?  I'm fairly proud of all the project work I've done up until this point in my career, inside and outside of PREMIER. 2024 marked the year I saw my first project completed, start to finish. Until this point I had either seen projects finished or been a part of the design side of the project, happening at the very beginning. It was very satisfying to be as familiar with a project as I was.  Do you have a mentor that has helped you on this path?  Yes! I have been lucky enough to find mentors at almost every turn of my career. An architect who helped me navigate my first years in a "real job" post-COVID in the field I studied for. A BIM specialist introduced me to the world of computer-based modeling for real-world design and how it can be used to standardize construction documents. A Project Manager from PREMIER introduced me to the ins and outs of construction, highlighting the more casual and conversational aspects of this industry that I really connected with. Not to mention a certain Senior VP Market Lead, Joe Ahrens, who exemplifies daily the importance of being a team leader who is direct, and dependable, even in a crisis.  Is there something you're excited about tackling in your career or in the industry?  I'm extremely excited to have been tapped to help facilitate new projects in the residential market, a new market for PREMIER’s Midwest Division! Hopefully, these are the first steps towards solidifying PREMIER as a competitor in the residential side of construction.