Jack Reid Class of 1996

Following my graduation in 1996, I began working for a geotechnical, materials and environmental company named GME Consultants in Bridgeview, IL. I spent 5 years at the company working my way up from Lab/Field Technician to Field Services Manager. In 2002, I was presented with an opportunity to become a Quality Control Manager with the Heavy Civil Group of Chicago based Walsh Construction and have been with them for 17 years. My work ethic, knowledge and experience has allowed me to grow with the company and in 2017 I was promoted to the position of Mid-Atlantic Regional Quality Manager overseeing projects in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

I made a lot of good friends while attending Morrison Tech, most of which I still converse with thanks to social media. The classes that have undoubted able helped me most in my career were the ones that centered around Critical Thinking and Materials. The education I received gave me the skills to build a 20+ year career. The most important relationship I made was with my wife of 21 years, Morrison alum Sara Petersen Reid who was also a 1996 graduate. Sara and I have three daughters.

Some of my favorite projects I was directly involved with while in Illinois include: the reconstruction and expansion of O'Hare International Airport, The 606 Bloomingdale Trail, The Chicago River Walk and Adams Street Bascule Bridge.

The projects I now oversee in the Mid-Atlantic include: The Huntington Levee in Alexandria, VA; the new Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., Jones Branch Connector in Tysons Corner, VA and the Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant in Baltimore, Maryland.

As Regional Quality Manager I am a coach, cheerleader, educator and communicator providing support to Business Group Leaders, Program and Operations Managers, Project Quality leads and project teams throughout the region. I am directly involved in Project Start-Up/Close-Out Support, Training on Quality Initiatives, Work Planning and trouble shooting Quality Incidents to develop KPI's, evaluate trends and to implement improvement strategies. I work side by side with our Regional Safety Manger in supporting the "Quality Job is a Safe Job" ethos and with our Regional Technology Champion developing and advancing e-construction protocols. During the bidding process I will also assist with Quality Cost Estimates and Quality Value Engineering.