Unleashed With Big Red Dog Engineering

Shayna Johnson is a Civil Team Leader in our Houston, Texas office and she has worked for WGI for about two years. Shayna has extensive expertise in planning, design, and permitting experience covering civil/site design and land development projects. Serving as a project manager, Shayna’s project experience includes single-family residential, multifamily, senior living, urban infill, K-12, and mixed-use developments for both private and municipal sector clients. In this podcast, Shayna discusses how she started her career in the Civil Engineering field, why she went to college outside of her home state of Texas, and how she found herself back in the city she grew up in.

In this episode of WGI Unleashed, we get to know Jeremiah Slaymaker, the Regional Survey Manager for our Geospatial Divison in the Tallahassee, Florida office.

Lindsay has over 13 years of experience providing professional planning services in both the public and private sectors. Her extensive experience includes due diligence reports, comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, and site and master planning. Lindsay has also provided planning support for land acquisition through the eminent domain process for the FDOT, facilitated public outreach, and worked with neighborhood groups on master plans, and with government entities on corridor and streetscape studies. Lindsay also has experience managing and representing multidisciplinary projects through the entirety of the land use entitlement process. On the podcast, Lindsay discusses how she started working in the planning field and her role as Director of Planning for WGI. She initially went to school for Pharmacy but changed her major a few times until she found her passion in Planning. Lindsay shares about her time growing up in New Hampshire, making her way to Florida, and raising her twin daughters.  

In this episode of WGI Unleashed, we get to know Eric Luttmann, Project Architect from our Tampa, Florida office. Eric joined WGI's Architecture Division in 2017 as a Project Architect in the Tampa, Florida office. Eric's experience includes architectural design, facility planning and programming, master site planning, project management, contract document production and coordination, and Building Information Modeling (BIM). Eric discusses his role as a project architect and the past projects he has contributed to in the Tampa, Florida area. He also discusses what lead him to pursue a career in architecture architect, what it was like growing up in St. Petersburg, FL, and life during and after college.

In this episode of Unleashed, we had a conversation with Bob Clemens, National SUE Services Manager from Tampa, Florida. Bob joined WGI in the summer of 2018 and has 26 years of experience as a Consultant in Utilities/SUE. He is a National SUE Services Manager in our Tampa, Florida office. Bob shared with us his day-to-day tasks in the office as well as his personal life revolving around his family and interests. He also spoke about growing up in Miami, Florida, and how he came to pursuing a career in SUE. Bob talked in-depth about his role as the National SUE Services Manager for WGI and about how he looks at ways he can position his team to grow, and support existing recourses to keep projects successful while in development. He also discusses his team's goal to expand work in Georgia, New York metropolitan area, and in Colorado.

Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have a conversation with Mike Oler, a Structural Market Leader with our Structural Team in Dallas, Texas. Mike joined WGI full-time in 2019 and has worked on a variety of project types for public and private clients across Texas. Mike discussed how he came to be an engineer in college while receiving two degrees - both in Architecture and Structural Engineering. Mike spoke about growing up in Frisco, Texas, working as a contractor, and his newfound love for cooking and baking. Learn more about what inspires Mike by listening to the full episode! If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to listen and subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Music, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have a conversation with Matt Floyd, a Project Surveyor with our Geospatial Team in West Palm Beach, Florida. Matt joined WGI full-time in 2018 and has worked on a variety of project types for public and private clients across the southeast with a focus on the Florida Department of Transportation projects. Matt shared with us his day to day tasks and how he coordinates with both his team out in the field and in the office. Matt also discussed with us the start of his career as an instrument operator and how his six years of experience in the field was critical to his career path of becoming a project manager. Matt spoke about growing up in Troy, Alabama, working in the family lumber business, and what brought him to South Florida. Spoiler Alert: the warm weather was a major draw for him!  Learn more about what inspires Matt by listening to the full episode! If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to listen and subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Mu

Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have the opportunity to chat with Engineer Intern, Artis Dukes.  Artis is a part of our Roadway Team in the Orlando, Florida office. Artis spoke with us about his experience with engineering analysis, design, and production for roadway projects here at WGI. Artis also discussed the benefits of starting as a drainage engineer and then transitioning into the roadway position he now holds.    Artis shared his experience of working on the now completed Wekiva Parkway Design-Build project, and how being a civil engineer gives him the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.   We also discussed Artis’ experience living and working in Juno, Alaska for two years with the Coast Guard, how he spends his free time with his daughter and his passions for cooking.  

Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have the opportunity to chat with Jeffrey Bergmann, P.E., a Senior Project Manager, and Structural Engineer. Jeffrey is a leader with our Structural Solutions team and is a direct impact on public and private projects across the country ranging from Bridge Design, Seawalls, Piers, Cell Towers, to Vertical Construction and more. Jeffrey spoke with us about his team's ability and passion to deliver structural expertise to projects requiring unique structural solutions. We also discussed a bit of Jeffrey's professional history, which began in New Mexico working for the incredibly interesting government and military contracts surrounding interesting structures and technology. He eventually made his way to South Florida because of his love for the weather there, not to mention scuba diving. He spends his time in his community with his family and has aspirations to improve his music skills with each day!

Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have the opportunity to chat with Jeremy Rocha, P.E., a Senior Project Manager and Parking Solutions Expert. Jeremy is a leader within our Parking Solutions team who specializes in the structural and functional design of parking facilities, master planning, feasibility and parking studies, restoration, and preservation. Jeremy spoke to us about the impact of thoughtful parking design in an urban environment -- something that everyone experiences but often will never notice until it is poorly executed. We discuss how the planning and functional elements in projects are often delegated to design professionals that do not have experience in creating a resilient and effective parking facility. He described how working with a Parking Solutions consultant can connect the knowledge gap on the design of such a critical component of a project.   We also chat with Jeremy about his personal passions and his love for all things Houston -- as a native Houstonian, Jeremy

Welcome to a special episode of WGI Unleashed -- we have the unique privilege of having a roundtable discussion with three leaders in our firm: Nancy Clements, Senior Vice President of our Transportation Division, Kimberlee DeBosier, our Director of Project Excellence, and Lisa Nisenson, our Vice President of New Mobility & Connected Communities.   Each of these leaders has a deep passion for their respective fields. Nancy brings a tremendous amount of expertise and experience as the leader of our transportation division and has led that division to significant accomplishments, in Florida especially. Kim joined the WGI team this year to help champion project management success and training as well as bolster our leadership's ability to deliver exceptional project results across all disciplines.  Lisa also joined the team this year to deepen our commitment to transportation and community planning innovation and make certain that WGI remains on the cutting edge of adaptable, sustainable community design.  

WGI Unleashed Podcast Episode 20 – Rick Harman PWS, CEP Project Manager, Environmental Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have the opportunity to chat with Rick Harman, a Project Manager, and Environmental Scientist. Rick serves as a part of our Environmental team, a division of PLACE, and creates value for public and private clients with his expertise in wetlands, endangered species, coastal impacts, and more.  Learn more about what inspires Rick by listening to the full episode! Click Here to View All Episodes If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to listen and subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Music, or wherever you get your podcasts! --- You can learn more about Rick and connect with him through his LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-harman-cep-pws-695a9a9/ Follow WGI and our hosts online at: Website – https://www.wginc.com Twitter – @wantmangroup Instagram – @wantmangroup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wginc/ Madeline Szwed: LinkedIn – https://www.link

WGI Unleashed Podcast Episode 20 – Tiffany May, Director, Private Landscape Architecture Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have a conversation with Tiffany May, Director of Private Landscape Architecture in West Palm Beach, Florida!   Learn more about what inspires Tiffany by listening to the full episode! Click Here to View All Episodes If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to listen and subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Music, or wherever you get your podcasts! --- You can learn more about Stephen and connect with her through her LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-may-pla-asla-leed-4544b74/ Follow WGI and our hosts online at: Website – https://www.wginc.com Twitter – @wantmangroup Instagram – @wantmangroup LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wginc/ Madeline Szwed: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelineszwed/Twitter – @madelineszwed Shaun Theriot-Smith: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauntheriotsmith/Twitter – @theriotsmithBlog – Building

WGI Unleashed Podcast Episode 18 – Stephen Dees, Survey Technician Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have a conversation with Stephen Dees, a Survey Technician with our Geospatial team in Tallahassee, Florida! While studying Geomatics at the University of Florida, Stephen was exposed to a variety of technologies and techniques in the surveying and mapping world that piqued his interest. His coursework and internship experiences led him to pursue a career as a Professional Surveyor and Mapper upon graduation. Stephen joined WGI full time in 2016, and he gets to work on a variety of project types for public, private clients across the Southeast.  Stephen shares with us that he loves using technology to work on projects that help improve his communities and the environment. He is also helping to shape the future of his profession by educating the next generation of students about the rewarding, exciting (and lucrative) career in the surveying and geospatial industry. Like many Floridians, Stephe

WGI Unleashed Podcast Episode 17 – Eddie Gaytan, National SUE Field QA/Project Delivery Manager Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting with Eddie Gaytan, a Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Project Delivery Manager in Chicago. Eddie serves with our Geospatial Division, bringing a special technical expertise to the pursuit of surveying underground utilities and structures. Eddie discusses with us his passion for surveying the built environment and using all of the innovative tools of his trade to develop accurate and reliable mapping data for design. In fact, Eddie championed the introduction of a new excavation technology to improve WGI’s existing fleet, which contributed to more efficient survey trips and safer work environments for his teams. We also visit with Eddie on his love for Chicago, its sports teams, and his family. He provides insight into his hobbies and his free time, which can be just as technically focused as his occupation. Click Here to View All E

UNLEASHED Podcast Episode 16 – Maria Bolivar, Project Manager Welcome back to WGI Unleashed! In this episode, we head to our corporate office in West Palm Beach, FL to get to know Maria Bolivar, a project manager in our PLACE Division. Maria joined our firm just four months ago and is already making an impact at WGI by utilizing her passion and experience for private land development projects and offering our clients WGI’s services as a “complete package.” The discussion covers how WGI has given Maria the opportunity to do what she has always wanted, all the lessons learned, and the experience she has gained along the way. Maria says, “I realized I needed to go back to consulting and put all of these pieces that I have together and just do what I’ve always wanted to do. Be involved in the whole project from beginning to end and offer clients and private developers the best services which will allow us to differentiate ourselves by offering a complete package to our clients. And right now, is the best time to

Episode 015 - Introducing WGI Unleashed - Will Schnier, P.E. and Matthew Stewart, P.E We're Back! In this episode, we speak with Will Schnier and Matthew Stewart about the recent news - BIG RED DOG and WGI have joined forces to create an engineering and professional services firm of the future! The discussion covers the similarities between the two companies' cultures and services, and the opportunities that the additional resources will immediately provide for our team members and clients. We also discuss how WGI will help shape the future of our smart and connected cities. Will says, "The combination is like throwing gasoline on a fire. The net effect for our clients is that they will have a wider range of services that we can offer, and we're able to provide more resources to our clients in a resource-starved market. Ultimately it creates a more stable footprint, a more stable firm, which everyone can benefit from." Matt adds, "The opportunity for our team members is what really gets me jazzed up. This opp

Episode 014 - Dane Edwards - Project Designer Let’s get to know Dane Edwards, a civil project designer in our Austin office! Dane joined BIG RED DOG as an intern in 2014 and started full time in 2015. He quickly combined his art background with new skills in AutoCAD and Civil 3D to become an integral part of our commercial project team. We discuss some of the projects that Dane works on and the opportunities that BIG RED DOG has provided for Dane to excel in his career. We also discuss Dane’s plethora of hobbies and interests - including sports, gardening, motorcycles, hiking, and travel (just to name a few). You can learn more about Dane and connect with him through his social media: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-edwards-ab6a399b/ Listen to it on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you download podcasts! If you have feedback – we’d sincerely appreciate your rating and comments in those storefronts as well. Follow BIG RED DOG and our hosts online at: Blog – www.bigreddog.

Episode 013 – Bayleigh Collins, E.I.T. – Structural Graduate Engineer This week we sit down with Bayleigh Collins, a structural engineer in our Sugar Land office. Bayleigh joined our firm in 2018 and is already making an impact and contributing to structural engineering projects in Texas and throughout the country. We discuss Bayleigh’s upbringing in Houston and her time living overseas in Eritrea and Qatar. We also discuss her civil and structural engineering education at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, her passion for animals (especially dogs), and her experience in recruiting and mentoring interns. You can learn more about Bayleigh and connect with her through her social media: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayleigh-collins/ Listen to it on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you download podcasts! If you have feedback – we’d sincerely appreciate your rating and comments in those storefronts as well. Follow BIG RED DOG and our hosts online at: Blog – www.bigr

Episode 012 - Madeleine Hirsch E.I.T. - Graduate Engineer Welcome back! In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with one of our Traffic and Transportation Engineering team members: Madeleine Hirsch! Maddie joined the company less than two months ago and has already found a place that feels like home. She describes what it’s like working in a field that has very tangible effects on people’s lives as they make their way from their home into the outside world. We even touch on the latest transit trend to consume Austin and San Antonio -- scooters! Madeleine is an alumna of Texas A&M University in College Station (which is also where she happened to grow up!) where she studied Civil Engineering and participated in the Women’s Triathlon team. In her spare time, Maddie loves to run, swim, and cycle around Austin. She recommends the book How to Make Yourself Poop: And 999 Other Tips All Runners Should Know to the BIG RED DOG library. You can learn more about Maddie and connect with her through her soc