If the adage "success breeds success" holds true, the next generation of leaders is on the rise at design and construction firms. This year, ENR MidAtlantic's Top Young Professionals list includes men and women under 40 years of age who have already recorded impressive accomplishments during their careers. Some are changing how their firms' local offices do business, while others are having an impact on a global scale. Many are expanding business opportunities and boosting their firms' bottom lines.
Although those on the list come from a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds, this year's Top Young Professionals share a common commitment to mentoring younger colleagues. Paul Bracken, senior environmental engineer at ARCADIS US, encourages junior colleagues to get out into the field and put their knowledge into practice. Thomas Farrell, regional sales manager at Victaulic, helps recruit younger professionals to the industry by guest-teaching classes at Purdue University. Jihane Fazio, project manager at AECOM, co-founded a grass-roots organization whose mission is to advance women to leadership positions. Craig Kotarski, project manager at Timmons Group, has helped establish the ACE Mentor program at several schools in the Charlottesville, Va., area.