National Engineers Week, a celebratory event founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951, is a week that we look forward to as a firm every year. This year, we took National Engineers Week as an opportunity to get to know some of our recently licensed Professional Engineers and highlight them on our Social Media accounts.
Savannah Blazer, PE
Project Engineer I, Public Land Development, Raleigh
How long have you been with the firm?
2 years (1.5 full-time, 0.5 as an intern).
How do you feel like your job impacts your local community?
It helps develop and improve it! It provides places for people to live, work, and do daily necessities like get food, gas, etc.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I lead a small group of college girls at North Carolina State University through Young Life, I have a dog Millie I spend a lot of my free time with, and I am engaged (getting married in September) so wedding planning has become a new hobby of mine!
Andrew Campbell, PE
Project Engineer III, Private Land Development, Richmond
What is your role at Timmons Group?
Project Engineer, meaning I design sites and coordinate the review of our plans with each locality (surprisingly this is the most challenging part).
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I’ve dropped a lot of my hobbies over the past few years and really started to cherish quality time with my wife and girls and close friends. Whatever they want to do is my hobby that day.
What’s been your favorite project to work on so far and why?
The redevelopment of the old Armstrong High school into much needed affordable housing in the Eastern Church Hill area. This project has the potential to be a catalyst for huge positive life change for so many people.
Ben Doran, PE
Project Engineer III, Transportation Design, Richmond
What is your role at Timmons Group?
I’m in our Transportation group and specialize in roadway design. I have a lot of experience in geometric and drainage design.
How do you feel like your job impacts your local community?
I know that a large number of jobs were created because Dominion Energy was able to build a power plant in Greensville County, VA. Job creation is such a vital aspect of helping a community thrive and being a small part of that process is exciting.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I love spending time with my wife and 10-month-old daughter relaxing at home and playing games. I’m a huge UVA sports fan and try to go to as many sporting events as possible. My wife and I also enjoy gardening and working outside in our yard.
Jesse Bogert, PE
Project Engineer III, Public Land Development, Richmond
How long have you been with the firm?
Going on three years.
What’s been your favorite project to work on so far and why?
White Birch. It is an economic development job that has both demanded a lot of me and allowed me to broaden my knowledge of the conceptual planning process.
How do you feel like your job impacts your local community?
Most of the schools in Chesterfield and Richmond haven been designed or improved by myself or my team. Driving around town and mentioning to my wife and son the projects that I have worked on is very rewarding.
Julia Zilke, PE
Project Engineer II, Public Land Development, Charlotte
What is your role at Timmons Group?
I am a project engineer II in our Public Land Development group. On a usual day, I am working to develop site plans for our clients, often performing research on the sites I’m working on or getting involved deep into the grading and other design elements of the site plans. I am also responsible for coordinating all aspects of the site design with the architect and owner throughout the project.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy being outdoors either spending time in my garden or hiking some of the local (and not-so-local!) trails with my husband. We are avid travelers and are looking forward to traveling with our new baby, due in May!
Favorite sports team(s)?
I don’t really follow any teams specifically, but I do enjoy going to cheer on the local sports teams (Charlotte Checkers Hockey, Charlotte Hornets Basketball, Charlotte Knights Baseball, Davidson College Basketball). However far away I am, though, I will always be rooting for the Virginia Tech Hokies!
Will Altman, PE
Project Engineer III, Public Land Development, Raleigh
How long have you been with the firm?
About 4.5 years.
What’s been your favorite project to work on so far and why?
Cool Spring Elementary School Athletic Fields- I enjoy grading and this was pretty much all grading.
Favorite sports team(s)?
The South Carolina Gamecocks, Carolina Panthers, and Cleveland Indians.
