Tell us a little bit about where you’re from and where you went to school:

I grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, headed north to Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!!) for undergrad, met my husband there, and briefly moved to Arlington, VA outside of DC. Then we ventured out here to Austin, primarily for the tacos but also for grad school at UT (Hook ‘Em!) and have loved living here ever since!

What drew you to this profession?

I was intrigued and excited by how practical and tangible it is. We get to use teamwork and problem solving to make a positive physical impact on our communities.

What types of projects have you worked on?

I’ve had the pleasure of working on quite a wide variety of projects at WGI – office buildings, mixed-use multi-family apartments, pedestrian bridges, medical office buildings, student housing, and even a local bar to name a few. These projects required design using all kinds of materials, from steel and concrete to wood and heavy timber.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Go for walks with my hubs and my dog, read, garden, and watch movies.

Have you read any good books lately?

Yes! Boom Town by Sam Anderson was fantastic. I also just reread The Princess Bride – one of my all-time favorites.

What does your ideal vacation look like?

Hiking and eating my way around Italy

What would be impossible for you to give up?

Our sweet pup, Bear

Any interesting facts about yourself that you’d like to share?

I minored in Spanish in college and love learning languages. I’m currently working on Italian so I’ll be ready when it’s time to go on my ideal vacation.

Who or what inspires you?

My parents! My whole life they have been and continue to be excellent role models when it comes to working hard, making practical decisions, staying healthy, and loving one another and their neighbors.

Everyone at WGI has a story about why they joined the team. What’s yours?

I was tired of working for companies stuck in old traditions and outdated methodology. I quite literally Googled “structural engineering startup” and was thrilled to find the vibe I was looking for in WGI (then Big Red Dog). I’m pleased that we are continuing to focus on staying on top of the latest technology and creating a fun and productive workplace.

Thanks for spending some time with us, Ava!

Interested in working with Awesome Associates like Ava? Check out our Careers page to learn more about our company and our current openings!