RS&H Voices: Ana Lopez
Ana Lopez is an Aviation Engineer in the San Antonio, Texas office. She’s worked for RS&H since she graduated college nine years ago, starting work in the aviation field.
She enjoys the complex yet rewarding process of watching a project turn from a concept into a reality. Hear straight from Ana in this month’s RS&H Voices.
Why do you like working with RS&H?
I’ve been working with RS&H for nine years, right since I graduated college. I started working in the aviation group out of coincidence, and I really ended up enjoying being outdoors. I’ve enjoyed my time with RS&H, and the aviation sector, and I’ve never even thought about leaving.
What is your biggest accomplishment while at RS&H?
My biggest accomplishment has been working for my hometown, El Paso. We just finished the rehabilitation of the runway at the airport, and I really enjoyed working there because it’s just given me a sense of pride being able to do meaningful work in my hometown.
What drew you to the AEC industry?
Both of my parents are civil engineers, so I always liked the idea of building something. Seeing it go from a concept to an actual building seemed interesting to me. So that’s what brought me to civil engineering, because I love the building process.
How have you grown professionally?
I’ve enjoyed all the different roles I’ve had with RS&H. At the time, they seemed like a big change, a big challenge, but they’ve helped me evolve.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, we’ve been working with another great airport in the area doing a lot of work for them. We were just re-selected for another GEC term, so we’ll be with them for another five years. We’ve done a lot of taxiway projects there that I’m really proud of and we’ve really enjoyed working with that client.
Who are your mentors or inspirations at the company?
My first supervisor, John Hippchen, was great. He was a great mentor to have early on in my career. He would always get me involved in the meetings and design conversation. Also, Amanda O’Krongley has been another great mentor. She’s always been supportive of the projects and work that we do. Most recently, Clayton Singleton has become a wonderful mentor. He’s taught me how to grow as a young PM. Elliot Neph has been a big help, too!
What is the most exciting part of your role?
I think it’s a little bit of everything. I like the collaboration with our clients, getting the project started and figuring out how a project is going to be built. I really like going through that puzzle and trying to figure out how we’re going to plan out a design.
What are you hoping to achieve in the future?
I want to keep learning. Keep finding opportunities to take on new projects and do more airfield work. Just lean more so that I can keep taking on bigger and more challenging projects.
What parts of our company mission, vision, or values do you resonate with the most?
I really align with the Driven to Care essence, but I think that all of RS&H’s other values fall under that, too. Everyone at RS&H are good, caring people who want to do good work for their communities. They all excel in what they do. By doing that, you need to have integrity, you need to have creativity, because you do care. I think I align with all of it.
What’s your go-to break to relax after a long day?
I like going to dinner and talking to my husband about my day, that’s how I unwind after a long day.