Ray Strandberg was born on the Fort Carson Army Base where he spent most of his time skiing, fishing and hiking the Colorado terrain.
To this day, it’s clear that the outdoors remain important to him, Ray’s co-workers say.
“Ray is a country boy and rancher at heart. He still helps with the family cattle operation,” said vice president Fred Holderness.
But the Denver-based project manager is known just as much for his mentorship of associates inside the office as he is for his skills outside of it.
A University of Southern Colorado graduate, Ray received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology in 1990. After years of working in the construction industry, he joined TSH (now part of RS&H) in 2013 as a senior inspector.
Since beginning at TSH, he has taken on many roles, including assistant project engineer and project engineer. Ray is currently an RS&H project manager.
He’s working now on the West Bound I-70 Peak Period Shoulder Lanes in Clear Creek County project, which will begin construction in the spring of 2019. He’s also managing the non-project specific contracts for SH-170 concrete box culvert replacement, SH-119 2013 flood recovery, and SH-119 re-construction overlay.
Through his many years in the engineering sector, Ray has found that leading by example and offering guidance to younger associates is the key to success.
“I am always available to younger engineers to discuss details, constructability and general questions,” Ray said. “I believe if you work hard and lead by example that the people around you make you better. If you surround yourself with good people, then the team is successful”
Ray’s fellow associates say he puts his beliefs into action every day.
“He treats both his peers and subordinates with a high level of respect and demands the same,” Fred explained. “He is a great mentor to the younger engineers and technicians.”
Senior project engineer Josh Barrett, who has been working with Ray for six years, agrees.
“Ray will do whatever it takes to help a project succeed and can always be trusted to do the right thing, regardless of how challenging the task,” Josh explained. “Ray operates with the highest level of integrity and always has the best interest of the travelling public, project, client, and company in mind.”
Ray is dedicated to his work, but he remains a family man first and foremost. Over the years, he has melded together his love for his family and his passion for the outdoors.
Before his children began high school, he served as the Adams County Fair swine superintendent. His son and daughter raised animals and showed them during the fair at county, state and national levels.
Whether it’s through the animals he and his family raised, his cattle farm, or his road projects, Ray takes pride in his work, knowing he’s providing for the next generation of Coloradoans.