Q&A Interviews

 

On Veterans Day, we honor those who have served our country. Their sacrifices are immeasurable, and their experiences are deeply transformative. In this special Q&A blog, we share a conversation with three Atwell employees who are Veterans: Allen Vose III, Anthony Queisser, and Jeremy Deramus. Each Veteran brings a unique perspective on military service, from the drive to enlist to the challenges they faced upon returning to civilian life.

Q: What inspired you to join the military, and how did you choose your branch?

Allen: I enlisted in 2000, pre-9/11, with the Army National Guard, primarily to gain college benefits and find a career path. I took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), and they steered me toward civil engineering. I didn’t even know what it was at the time, but it sounded like something that could be a great job someday. I went to the Army Corps of Engineers School, and 25 years later, here I am as a licensed surveyor and project manager.

Anthony: I joined the Marine Corps in 2007 as a heavy equipment operator, fulfilling a lifelong dream. The Marine Corps was what I’d always wanted, mostly because of its structure and discipline. Being the first in and the last out made it the most challenging branch, and that’s what I was looking for.

Jeremy: In 2007, I enlisted in the Army Reserves. I’d been married for seven years and had two young kids. With two wars happening, I felt compelled to contribute. After doing some research, I chose surveying and drafting in civil engineering. I was looking for something I could apply in civilian life as well, and it turned out to be a great decision.

Q: How did your military service shape who you are today?

Allen: In the military, you learn to command troops, handle field operations, and make decisions quickly. This training shapes you; it becomes second nature to act decisively and adjust as needed. Even in my family, I find myself stepping up when plans need to be made or executed. It’s about taking responsibility and getting the mission done.

Anthony: As a 20-year-old on the front lines with the engineers, I grew up fast. Being an engineer meant being out in front of the infantry, seeing things, and going through experiences that forced me to mature quickly. I went through combat injuries and ended up medically retired. It’s taken me years to process it all, but the resilience it built made me a better father, husband, and coworker.

Jeremy: I joined the Reserves thinking I’d be home with my family more, but ended up with two deployments and a medical retirement. The experience taught my family and me a resilience that’s hard to explain to civilians. The military became my identity, and it changed me fundamentally. But the bonds I built with fellow soldiers became like family, too.

Q: How has military life impacted your family, personal, and professional relationships?

Allen: I enlisted at 17, with my parents’ permission, thinking it’d be a safe choice. After 9/11, though, my National Guard contract shifted to active duty. I spent years deployed, which took a toll on my family. The experience aged me quickly, but it also helped me build a career and skills I still rely on.

Anthony: Military life is tough on relationships. Divorce rates are high, and I’ve had friends who’ve taken their own lives. It’s a struggle, but my wife’s support has been incredible. She’s been there through everything. For those of us in combat roles, it’s essential to have that solid family and friend support because it takes a toll.

Jeremy: I had two kids and a wife when I joined, thinking the Reserve status would mean I’d be home. But I ended up spending more time on active duty. The military taught all of us resilience, though, and I’m grateful for the family and the bonds we built with fellow soldiers.

Q: How does your military experience impact your daily work?

Allen: It’s almost the same as being in the military. I’m in early, setting up the day’s tasks and coordinating the crew. The military taught me responsibility and how to guide others, and that’s shaped my entire career.

Anthony: Like Allen said, military service ingrains responsibility and routine. You learn accountability, and that’s something I carry into my work every day.

Jeremy: The work ethic, the leadership skills—all of it translates. It’s about approaching work like a mission. When things get stressful, I know how to adapt, adjust, and make sure the job gets done.

Q: What does Veterans Day mean to you personally?

Allen: It’s a day to respect those who volunteered to serve. We have a volunteer military, and it’s important to recognize the sacrifices people make in that choice. Serving is about contributing to something bigger than yourself.

Anthony: Honestly, I’m not big on holidays. I live the experience daily, and I don’t expect civilians to fully understand. I think it’s a day for everyone who served, regardless of their role or deployment status.

Jeremy: Veterans Day is a bit uncomfortable for me. I’m not looking for free meals or special treatment. I think the day has lost some significance over time, and I’d prefer if people took time to understand the real sacrifices veterans go through rather than just offering platitudes.

Q: What message would you share with younger generations about service and sacrifice?

Allen: Everyone should serve in some way—whether it’s in the military, emergency services, or even picking up trash in your community. It’s about contributing to something greater than yourself and building a stronger nation.

Anthony: Come in with an open mind. The military will teach you discipline, responsibility, and brotherhood. Leave your ego and preconceived notions behind, and be ready to grow.

Jeremy: The camaraderie and structure in the military give you lifelong skills. Yes, it’s challenging, but what you gain from it is invaluable.

This Veterans Day, let’s honor not just the sacrifices Veterans made but also the profound impact military service has on their lives and those of their families. We can all take a moment to better understand their experiences and the resilience they carry into civilian life, making every day an opportunity to express respect and gratitude for their service.

 

Rodney Williams is the Director of Talent Management at Atwell. His relationship with the company spans more than 20 years, and in that time, he has been a champion of mentorship, career development, and culture within Atwell. We asked Rodney to share insights about his career, the importance of a strong company culture, and what sets Atwell apart from others in the AEC industry.

Can you describe what you do at Atwell?

I champion the people strategy and cultural integration for all new hires at The Atwell Family of Companies. That starts with my team and me developing a customized onboarding experience, leading new hire orientation, providing licensing support, training and development programs, supporting performance reviews, goal setting, and executive coaching. I am also heavily involved with integration activities for our newly acquired companies.

What led you to Atwell?

I owned an executive recruitment firm and one of my clients was also a client of Atwell’s. An employee from that company introduced me to Brian Wenzel on a flight to an industry event in 2002, and from there, Atwell became one of my clients. After forming great relationships with many execs at Atwell and making several key hires, I eventually joined the firm in 2006 as a Group Leader of Corporate Services. In 2013, I decided to pursue other career options but returned in 2019 to lead the Talent Management team. Our team is responsible for coaching, mentoring, and educating every employee so that they are knowledgeable, well-equipped, supported, and set up for success.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?

I love the variety; no two days are ever the same. I get to solve problems and develop solutions for employees, from career development, training, and professional goals, to retention and team building. It feels good to play a role in the growth of our employees. I also get to travel to most of the offices around the country to engage with employees and leaders in-person, and it is an opportunity for me to learn and grow as well.

What does company culture mean to you?

To me, culture drives the success of the company. It is something that everyone is a part of and everyone can contribute to, but I do believe it starts with great leadership. Culture is a set of values, attitudes, and practices that help define and drive the company. If leaders embody these principles and values, their staff will see it and begin to follow their example.

We have an overall Atwell culture, but our individual offices have their own unique cultures too. Some offices have quarterly team functions for relationship-building; some offices have food truck lunches each month; and some wear certain attire on Fridays. It is up to the leaders and staff of those offices to set the tone, and it creates a feeling of authentic connection. Everyone wins when staff enjoys coming to work every day.

What are the benefits of a company having an authentic, defined culture?

When employees understand the culture of their organization, they have a better understanding of how they fit in and why they matter. It creates a sense of belonging, which is important for retention but also for collaboration and mental health. It also helps leaders reach individuals on their teams in diverse ways. For example, Atwell’s employees span across several generations. Some things that resonate with a Gen-Xer may not resonate with a Millennial, and vice versa. Our culture and our values serve as common ground to foster understanding and effective communication, which makes everyone feel valued.

How can a company’s culture affect its business goals?

Your culture will have an impact on how well employees collaborate with each other, approach solutions for clients, and share a powerful sense of teamwork. When you have a culture that values doing work you’re proud of, taking care of employees, and supporting clients, you’re encouraging passion, integrity, the freedom to grow and evolve. This spurs innovation and ignites passion into your role, which leads to high quality work, which leads to profitable projects.

Atwell imparts our culture into our solutions, and our clients notice. It makes a positive impression and assures them that what we are building for them fits their goals and is attractive for their end users. This leads to trust, better business relationships, and greater business opportunities.

What makes Atwell’s culture unique?

I would say there are four things that set us apart:

1. We have a culture of entrepreneurship. Our company is young enough where ideas are embraced and openly shared but established enough to have processes in place that help us do our best work and show up as our best selves.
2. A culture of innovation. We are always looking for new ways to do things, from pursuing new markets and services to finding better solutions for our clients.
3. A culture of collaboration. Most companies in our industry have profit centers, but Atwell does not. This means our resources are available to everyone across the organization. This prevents internal friction and internal competition. It also gives our employees the chance to collaborate across the country and allows our clients access to the best technical talent and resources nationwide.
4. We are client focused. We function as advisors to our clients and provide solutions that earn our clients’ trust with our expertise and deliverables. This leads to repeat business and strong client relationships.

What are some accomplishments you’re proud of achieving at Atwell?

We’ve launched Clifton StrengthsFinder initiative to help leaders and teams understand their strengths and how they relate to each other. Teams can better collaborate when they understand each other’s strengths and make sure the right people are on the right seat on the bus.

Atwell’s onboarding program has been revamped; we have been able to utilize technology to streamline the process, making it easier for new hires to navigate information and stay engaged during their onboarding journey. We have heard from several new hires that the Atwell onboarding program is much more comprehensive than anything they have ever experienced at other firms. The goal is to make sure every new hire feels part of the family within their first six months and that they understand their role, our processes, what we do, and how they can contribute to our success.

Finally, I am proud to serve as the Executive Sponsor for the Cultural Connect ERG (employee resource group) and as a part of the Executive DEIB committee. In both of these roles, I get to work on initiatives that help Atwell grow and embrace the importance of diversity and the positive effects it has on the company. Overall, I am proud to be in a position where I can have influence and make a difference each day.

Speed round:

Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate for sure!

Listening to music or watching TV? Listening to music—I love going to concerts.

Vacation or staycation? Vacation.

Cooking at home or going out to eat? Cooking at home.

Summer or winter? Summer.

 

 

Michael Rossi is an Associate Project Manager in Marietta, Georgia who has been with Atwell since 2021 when he was hired as an intern. What started as a conversation at a campus career fair blossomed into a fulfilling experience that set a solid foundation for his professional relationships and progression in civil engineering. We sat down with Michael to learn more about his intern experience and transition into full-time work, as well as his goals and advice for future interns.

Where did you go to school and how did you hear about the Atwell internship?

I attended Kennesaw State University and learned about Atwell from the Marietta office near our campus. It was only 10 minutes away and I noticed it nearly every day on my walk home from campus.

During a career fair, I was able to connect with the Atwell team and learn about the impressive internship they offered. It was particularly exciting to learn that they offered an internship extending beyond the summer months. I had also heard great things from friends who had interned with Atwell in the past, from the flexibility in hours to the firm’s willingness to establish mentorships for interns.

Why did you decide to accept an internship at Atwell?

It was important to find an internship that was more than a single summer experience; not many companies offer that. The close location to my campus was also very appealing because it meant I could optimize my time by learning and gaining experience, rather than commuting a great distance. The direct contact we had with leadership from as early as the career fair was unique. Atwell did not seem to exist within a strictly hierarchical culture. Most importantly, the work I would be exposed to during the internship was not limited to just one department. Every intern was encouraged to build relationships across departments and get involved with commercial and residential projects. It was clear I would learn the most to help my overall career through an internship with Atwell.

What was it about your internship experience that motivated you to come on full time?

The decision to come on full time was easy to make. The people at Atwell were the biggest reason I wanted to stick around. I’d developed many friendships, benefitted from numerous mentorships, and could see my career continuing to evolve through the endless possibilities provided to me. Atwell does an excellent job of connecting people at all levels–despite being an intern, I was still able to have lunch with executive leadership! I was also included in corporate events and team building experiences, and I appreciate that I was considered and invited.

The teams at Atwell are diverse in knowledge and work styles, so people had the capacity to answer my questions, help me develop my technical skills, and assist with big projects. For example, I was able to design a utility system, study a hydrology report, work on the permitting process, and develop client relationships.

After a two-year internship with Atwell, the transition to a full-time position was seamless thanks to the opportunities I’d had to integrate myself within the company. Whether it was the full-time work over the summer, or the part-time continuance during the school year, I was supported by my supervisor, knowing there would always be work waiting for me and new opportunities to seize. Atwell is not shy about giving interns a shot, and they want to set us up for success and help us along the way. That made the experience extremely rewarding. Now, as a civil engineer, I have a career path that I’m confident in pursuing and I’m excited to discover what else is possible for me at Atwell.

What are your goals for your time at Atwell?

My first goal is to become a project manager. After that, I would like to move into senior leadership within the company. There are tremendous opportunities to gain experience here, and I fully intend to stay with Atwell for as long as I can.

What advice would you give students looking at internships with Atwell?

Don’t be shy and ask questions! By getting curious and asking questions, you can really put yourself in control of your professional development. There was a lot of training available to me during my internships, but the technical skills I developed were because I asked questions and intentionally connected myself with the most skilled person in the office. This was helpful in differentiating myself during my internship and as I transitioned into a full-time position. Ask questions, make connections, and stay curious!

 

Martee Grainger is an Associate Director on the Talent Management team. This month, we sat down with Martee to learn about her mindset at work, her passion for career development, and what’s next for the Talent Management team.

You were promoted to Associate Director at the end of 2023–congratulations! What path did you follow to reach this goal and what advice do you have for others hoping to achieve a similar goal?

My journey into the construction and engineering industry began with my first internship. At the time, my brother was stationed in Hawaii in the United States Army, and I wanted to spend time with him while he was on the islands. I went to a career fair and secured an internship with an engineering and construction company in Hawaii, though my internship was within human resources. It was there that I discovered my passion for developing people and careers–a passion that I wanted to use as fuel for a career within talent management.

The network I gained through that internship ultimately led me to Atwell and a job I’m truly passionate about. The promotion to associate director was a result of curiosity and a willingness to take risks by suggesting new ideas. Putting yourself out there by suggesting a new idea can be a risk itself, but it also positions you as a thought leader and voice of innovation. Rejection is a possibility, but so too is an opportunity to learn and even create change. Innovation is a core value at Atwell, and innovation requires risks.

What would you like people to know about our Talent Management team?

We want people to know we’re here to support their continuous growth and development at Atwell, whether they’re in their first internship or 20 years into their career. As a nation, we’re seeing a 13-year low of employee engagement. We’ve made it our mission in Talent Management to offset that low. Our team is here to improve company culture, support individual development, and activate employee engagement.

We know that our internship program provides valuable hands-on experience and education to our interns. What are other benefits of the program?

Our priorities for the internship program are two-fold. First, we seek to introduce interns to the vast and various departments and opportunities available at Atwell. This company is rapidly growing, and so, too, is the pool of subject matter experts. We want our interns to meet as many people as possible.

Second, we want to see our interns fully engaged and making the most out of the opportunity. We do this through weekly talks from different departments, a book club, mentorships, photo challenges, and supplying Atwell gear.

My network has greatly benefitted me in my career development and job search, so it’s important to me that our interns start building their networks while working with our team. We love giving them an all-encompassing look at the company while learning what it is that drew our interns to the Atwell internship itself. We view their time with us as a “try-out” rather than a chance to delegate undesirable tasks. We believe this internship experience has the potential to impact their entire lives, and we take that very seriously. As a company, we benefit from the fresh perspective of new grads or soon-to-be grads and know that it’s very possible that this summer’s interns will be full-time staff next year.

You’ve shown your passion for volunteering through leading the internship program and the Young Professionals ERG. Why are philanthropy and volunteerism important to you?

I grew up in a great community that always supported me in my goals and helped wherever they could. It was that community that made me passionate about taking any opportunity to give back and extend that good fortune. I sincerely wish everyone could feel as supported as I have felt throughout my life. I love being able to work every day in a role that is entirely geared towards supporting individuals be their best. As I was hunting for a place to begin my career, I saw that same passion for philanthropy and community in the company values of Atwell. Working with initiatives that help maintain Atwell’s culture while enabling talent to perpetually develop makes coming to work easy.

You spent almost three years living and working in Honolulu, Hawaii. What do you miss about life in the Aloha state?

The weather and the culture. The internship had us working alongside locals, so we were invited into the community in a way many visitors aren’t. That made it a special experience and gave me an even greater appreciation for native Hawaiians. I loved learning about the history of the islands, the history of the United States on the islands, and of course, going straight to the beach after work.

You’ve lived in multiple states across the United States. Do you have any plans for travel in the coming months? 

I recently moved back to Iowa to spend the summer with family. I am planning on traveling a lot in the fall and moving sometime next year, though I’m not yet sure where. Some of the top contenders are Charlotte, North Carolina; Kansas City, Kansas; and Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Speed round:

Hawaii or Colorado?

Hawaii

TikTok or Instagram?

TikTok

Books or Podcasts?

Books

Glasses or contacts?

Glasses

Vh1 or MTV?

MTV