Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Brown.
Bill, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a 48-year-old Civil Engineer with 30 years of experience in the Construction Market. My portfolio consists of landmark projects ranging from interiors and renovations to projects of large and exceptional scope. I have worked for and managed construction for several Fortune 500 Companies and Engineering News Records Top 50 General Contractors and Construction Management Firms. Two of the firms are Top 10 General Contractors and Construction Management Firms in the World. Construction experience includes roles ranging from construction intern, estimation and preconstruction, project engineer, assistant project manager, project manager, executive management, diversity manager, and business development. I have successfully completed projects in Higher Education, Multifamily, Healthcare, Aviation, Industrial, Nuclear, Heavy Civil, Government, Hospitality (Hotels), Financial Institutions, and Office Buildings. Project budgets range in size from $500,000.00 renovations to $900,000,000.00 Master Plans, the largest being part of a $2.4 Billion Nuclear Project.
My story is unique in that I never saw Civil Engineering and Construction Management as my career path. I came from a single-parent home, raised by my mother and three (3) siblings. It wasn’t until my teenage years that a father figure influenced my life. I was raised to work hard for the things I wanted, and my drive to succeed was influenced by my environment. I was born in Hannibal, MO, and relocated to Mexico, MO, both very small towns with very few options for economic development.
I used my work ethic and education to gain a partial scholarship to Missouri University of Science & Technology (MUST) where I also had a partial scholarship to play football. MUST was a university mostly known for it engineering programs. In high school, I took an interest in drafting and AutoCAD, and I was told by my high school counselor I should try architecture as my college major and my career path. Unfortunately, MUST did not provide architecture as a major, nor could I afford to transfer to another university. While at MUST, I began to research the various engineering disciplines, and I ultimately landed on Civil Engineering (CE). CE represented the broadest form of Engineering, in my opinion, and I quickly moved into the areas of Structural Engineering and Construction Management as part of my curriculum.
The first job of my career was an internship with the Missouri Transportation Department in Hannibal, MO, where I worked as a member of the survey team. I worked as the “rodman” and the “Bushwacker” all summer long. Working in the heat quickly taught me that Surveying and hard labor were not my idea of a successful career path, however, I certainly respect anyone that is successful in this area of Construction and Engineering! My next job was a Cooperative (CO-OP), where I left campus for an entire semester and I worked as a design intern and resident intern with Illinois Transportation Department in Springfield, IL. My assignment consisted of designs of highway cross-sections and bridge designs. Although the assignment allowed me to gain valuable experience, I did not like the idea of sitting behind a desk on a daily basis. After my return to MUST, I received counsel again that I should try vertical construction and construction management. I quickly learned as much as I could about the career path, and it appealed to me, so I went that route. In May of 1999, I graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering and job with HBE Corporation out of St. Louis, MO, a design/build firm known at that time to build Hospital, Banks, and the Adams Mark Hotel Chain, owned and operated by the same family.
The construction industry has afforded me incredible opportunities to build some of the nation’s most significant projects. Over the first ten years of my career, I primarily worked in the Transportation market (Missouri and Illinois), on the Adams Mark Hotel projects in Dayton Beach and Jacksonville, FL, the St. Louis Healthcare market, and the Aviation Market (Houston, TX). Over the next ten years of my career, I continued my work in the St. Louis Healthcare Market and the Nuclear Market (South Carolina). The last ten years of my career have been spent in Houston, TX, where I settled down from traveling and decided to make Houston my home. Settling in Houston has afforded me so many opportunities to thrive in my career. Upon arrival, I started in healthcare and then moved into high-rise office buildings, and now into the Higher-Education Market, K-12 Market, and Parks and Recreation.
Over the years, I have established himself as an activist in the construction industry through my membership in several organizations and initiatives. I have been, and I am currently active, in the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity, City of Houston Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #28 (TIRZ #28) (Texas Medical Center), American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) Visiting Team (Prairie View A&M University), Associated Builders & Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America, Houston Area Construction Career Collaborative, St. Louis, MO Laborer’s Union Local Training Program, National Society of Black Engineers, and OSHA Volunteer Protection Program. I have been an advocate for diversity and inclusion for Disadvantaged, Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Businesses (MWSDVBE) by my active participation with the Local and State MWSDVBE initiatives and by partnering with the Diversity Management and Executive Leadership at each organization and project I have been assigned.
I have received numerous awards and recognition over the years. They are fulfilling to my journey because I did not campaign for the recognition, nor did I ask anyone to recognize me for what I do. Throughout my career, I have embraced the concept of competition, influence, and the ability to change atmospheres with my presence and energy. I am very passionate about meeting the expectations of my clients and the overall success of the projects that are under my leadership.
I am a walking, living, breathing testimony that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to achieve with a combination of the will to overcome your circumstances, the will to succeed, and the desire to be the best… considered as a person of influence amongst your peers. I wake up every day trying to be a better version of myself and participating in all things that are bigger than myself.
I am married to the backbone of my life, Angela Brown, and have a son, DJ Brown, who is 28 years of age. Angela is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in Business and Advertising and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Prairie View A&M University. Angela currently works as a Senior Human Resources Manager in the construction technology industry. DJ is a graduate of Northern Illinois University in the College of Business. DJ currently resides in Chicago, IL working as a Sales Manager in the medical equipment industry. DJ was also a Division 1 College Football Athlete at Northern Illinois University. My hobbies include mentoring and providing opportunities for young men and women in the community. I enjoy sports, travel, reading, community-based organizations, and participation. I am also an enthusiast of automobile customization and classic cars.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Where do I begin with obstacles and challenges! Construction Management, Civil Engineering, and competition in this market is not for the weak!
I will start with the diversity of my profession or lack thereof. I was the only African American to graduate in my class from MUST back in 1999. Civil Engineering simply was not a popular profession amongst African Americans at that time. My challenge during college was to adapt to the culture of the campus and to compete with students who were groomed to succeed in their curriculum. I struggled early on to adapt; however, I joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, a predominantly African American organization. Alpha Phi Alpha allowed me to network with people who looked like me and whom I could relate. The organization taught me professionalism and how to conduct myself while representing the brand. It also challenged me to compete with my chapter brothers, including a support system of success.
As I graduated from college, the culture challenges continued as I entered the market. I was very fortunate to work under some very influential people who embraced me and focused on my talents. I worked very hard to prove that I belonged in the industry, working extreme hours in order to stay ahead of my peers and to display my abilities to the clients that I worked for. My biggest problem leaving school was that I did not want to abandon the culture I was used to… the hip-hop culture… where baggy jeans, big coats, rap music, etc., were at the core of my character. I felt like I was living a double life, professional during the day and hip-hop junkie by night and weekends. It was the counseling and mentorship of a client, Ted Pivin, who was the director of Design and Construction at SSM Healthcare in St. Louis, who taught me that it was ok to be my authentic self, but I had to learn to embrace my professional career as much as I loved to embrace my culture. I quickly began participating in local networks and organizations that would allow me to expand my industry knowledge and platform outside of my normal day job. I now understood my assignment. I was influencing people of color to get involved in the construction trades, and I was also inspiring, motivating, and educating small, minority, and women-owned businesses on the successful pursuit and execution of construction projects.
Over the course of my career, my biggest challenge has been the size, complexity, and the sophistication of the clients and organization I manage. Technology has allowed clients to get more sophisticated, schedules have become more aggressive, and budgets have become increasingly challenging due to volatile market conditions. The competition for market share is also extremely aggressive. Finding ways to remain lean and innovative are differentiators in this industry to overcome the obstacles and challenges associated with each project. I thrive in projects of exceptional scope, with varying levels of complexity and extreme critical targets.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My daily responsibilities include a ‘cradle-to-grave” approach to project pursuits of exceptional scope. I am one of few professionals in my industry that have the ability to thrive in all aspects of my duties. Duties include Business Development, Marketing & Project Pursuit, Preconstruction, Construction Operations and Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Economic and Workforce Development, Construction Initiatives & Philanthropy. Nothing gives me more joy than to pursue a project and then turn over the keys to the client after many years of making their vision and dreams a reality.
My philosophy is to deliver projects that are safe, have the highest degree of quality, and are delivered on time, while maintaining client satisfaction and budget. This philosophy fosters an environment of Life Safety, Great Customer Experience, and Excellent Communication. I have handled numerous accounts with such clients as SSM Healthcare (St. Louis, MO), U.S. Department of Energy (Aiken, SC), MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston), Memorial Hermann (Houston) Healthcare, University of Houston (Houston), Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Rice University, Texas Southern University, and Skanska Commercial Development (Houston).
I am active in several organizations on both the local and national level. I currently serve on the board and/or participate with City of Houston, Harris County, Associated Builders and Contractors, Port Houston, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, University of Houston, Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas Southern University, Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, Houston Minority Development Agency, and American Subcontractors Association.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The industry will continue to grow and evolve. The growth is attributed to the rising investments in the energy, transportation, housing, and manufacturing sectors. Technology has now influenced how we plan and implement our projects. Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Design, and Construction Management Software will continue to influence the way we do business. The markets that I currently serve represent clients who are “serial builders, hospitals, and universities that are constantly changing and evolving to attract and retain talent, as well as provide state-of-the-art services for the communities and people they serve. The industry has also experienced a shortage of qualified and skilled tradesmen and women. We continue to create ways to attract and retain talent both in the trades and with Construction Management Professionals. My goal is to continue to work within the industry to use my passion and influence to innovate, mentor, and inspire others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: dolla_bill_1906
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montgomery.brown.7528/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bill-m-brown-99932440
