Terry Suehr

When did you join Atkins?

I joined Atkins, formerly PBSJ, on 21 November 2005. I was inspired by my younger brother who had joined as a graduate and always spoke highly of the company and his fellow employees.

What did you do before you joined Atkins?

I studied for my civil engineering degree at the US Coast Guard Academy. On graduation I served five years with the US Coast Guard before working for a private civil engineering firm as a land development civil engineer. I worked for a couple of different firms before finally joining Atkins (formerly PBSJ).

Describe your role and responsibilities

I provide professional and project management expertise for unconventional projects requiring multiple technical units and/or subcontractors, heavy regulatory agency involvement or complex technical requirements.

How do you describe what you do to friends and family?

I design everything on a site outside of a building – underground utilities, pavements and grading. As a project manager, I lead and co-ordinate a group of engineers and architects to design a building and its associated infrastructure.

What are some of the projects you have worked on?

• US Army Corps of Engineers, Special Operations Forces (SOF) Compound Marmal, Afghanistan
• Privatization of Military Family Housing, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington DC, USA
• Facility Improvements at Plum Island Animal Disease Center, New York, USA.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently managing several projects in Afghanistan and I’m also leading the design of a Japanese Self Defence Force base in Djibouti to serve their anti-piracy mission. Another current project is managing the electrical improvements at Dover Air Force Base.

What achievement are you most proud of?

I’m very proud of the work our team carried out on the privatization of military housing at Atkins (formerly PBSJ) designed Bolling Air Force Base. This project was very complicated and we had to develop some unique design solutions.

What’s the most technically challenging project you’ve worked on at Atkins?

The SOF Compound Marmal that we are currently designing in Afghanistan is one of the most challenging projects for me. It is the first time I am managing design of a large multi-building facility.

What is it like working at Atkins?

Working at Atkins is never boring and that is my favourite part. Every project is different and every client has unique needs. Every day I work to understand and meet the needs of our client, while also communicating with and coordinating our design team. I am constantly challenged and I am always learning from my co-workers. Best of all, I work with an intelligent, dedicated and motivated team.