Meet our Awesome Associate Colleen Barraza, Proposal Coordinator with our Business Development division in the Tampa, FL office. Colleen joined our team six years ago. At WGI, we know our success starts with our associates and that’s why we want to share their awesome stories with you.
Hi Colleen! Tell us a little bit about where you’re from and where you went to school:
I was born in Port St. Lucie, Florida, but moved to Ohio in first grade. I moved back to Florida about 11 years ago. I went to Virginia Marti College of Art and Design in Lakewood, Ohio, and received a degree in fashion merchandising.
So, what drew you to this profession?
A friend from my previous firm taught me LOIs and other marketing tasks. So when I came to WGI, I slowly started doing proposals. Within a couple of years, I officially moved out of my admin role and became a marketing coordinator.
That’s cool! What kind of projects do you work on?
I have worked on all types of projects for most of WGI’s divisions, from municipal proposals and presentations to DOT LOIs and PRIPs.
Neat! So, what do you like to do in your free time?
As a recent empty-nester, I’m still adjusting to life without my son being home and his competitive soccer schedule. My husband and I are trying to figure out what to do with all this extra time. We are open to suggestions. LOL
What does your ideal vacation look like?
I’m ready for any kind of vacation! The last trip we went on was last fall, to North Carolina for a college tour with my son. I would love to go to an island and sit on the beach with a drink, or maybe explore a foreign city. It all sounds amazing.
What was your first job?
I was a sales associate in a junior’s clothing store at the mall.
What would be impossible for you to give up?
Living somewhere warm and sunny. I couldn’t go back to the cold and snow.
Any interesting facts about yourself that you’d like to share?
I participated in a Junior Miss America pageant. It was definitely an experience.
Oh wow, that’s cool! So, who or what inspires you?
My son. He makes me want to do better and has better.
Alright, Colleen, everyone at WGI has a story about why they joined the team. What’s yours?
I was friends with Henri and his wife. So when Henri was ready to hire an admin for the Tampa office, he offered me a position with opportunities for growth. I decided I needed something more challenging and wanted to explore other possibilities. I have enjoyed working at WGI for the last six years.
Wow, that’s awesome! Congrats on your continued success at WGI and thanks for sharing your story with us.
Are you interested in working with Colleen and WGI’s other Awesome Associates? Check out our Careers page to learn more!
WGI is a national design and professional services firm leading in technology-based solutions for the construction of public infrastructure and real estate development. At WGI, we’re providing Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Solutions Today.
Together, WGI and Urban SDK offer clients the ability to enhance safety, improve mobility, and realize cost savings – using data analytics combined with WGI’s robust infrastructure capabilities.
Alternative delivery maximizes the positive outcomes of a project and provides the greatest value and benefit to the owner and their customers.
WGI is proud to announce six new hires have joined the firm in our Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, and San Antonio offices.
This award honors a woman who is an outstanding role model and has contributed to the advancement of women and minorities in transportation.
WGI is excited to announce we were selected by the Florida Department of Transportation to serve as Lead Designer on the project pursuit team awarded the $600M Shands Bridge Design-Build Contract
She will be a key collaborator on strategic pursuits, partnering, and company leadership in the Florida region as well as an important contributor to WGI’s executive team.
You’ve been searching for a place like WGI. We look forward to meeting you soon.
Sign up to receive emails to hear our latest news and achievements in our monthly newsletter.
Enter your zip code, and we’ll personalize your experience with local projects, office locations, team members, and more.
WGI supports its associates with meaningful opportunities for growth, strong benefits and perks, while we work collaboratively with clients and co-consultants to shape and improve communities.
WGI is a dynamic organization with opportunities nationwide for engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, environmental scientists, and architects.
