This blog series will introduce our audience to some of the brightest and most dedicated young professionals in the PCI Mid-Atlantic chapter. These individuals contribute to the exciting future of our dynamic industry every day. Get a behind-the-scenes look into their lives and innovative career path.
About Pete!
I am a South Jersey native, where I studied civil engineering, earned my PE license, and have built my career at Northeast Precast. I started at NEP in high school, first working in Production, then Drafting, then Project Engineering, and most recently as Engineering Manager. When I’m not thinking about concrete, I love reading books, studying foreign languages, and trying to make people laugh – especially my kids.
PCI-MA: How do you have fun at work?
Pete: To me, work is fun if you can get a lot done, with a high standard of quality, and enjoy being around the people you work with. Being in an atmosphere where there is a strong work ethic, but an equally strong sense of humor, has made working at NEP fun all along. I also try to break up my day by using my lunch time to read, learn something new, or just go for a walk.
PCI-MA: Tell us about one of your proudest work accomplishments.
Pete: It’s hard to beat the feeling of seeing a project that you worked on drawing for months actually being constructed in the field, and seeing everything fit together. However, I feel like my proudest accomplishment in recent years is to have been a part of growing our engineering department from one person to a team of seven or eight, and learning a whole new set of management skills along the way.
PCI-MA: What is one thing you like most about your career in the precast industry?
Pete: I like that there is always a lot more to learn. The precast industry, like concrete itself, is a fascinating mixture. Concrete construction is both ancient and cutting-edge. It has well-defined parameters in some ways, yet is infinitely customizable. We are constructing buildings and bridges at the job site, but also view everything through a manufacturing lens back at the plant. We make products that are literally set in stone, yet we need to be flexible, adaptable, and creative. Since early in my career, I've felt like a big part of my job is to keep learning, and help the company keep learning. I am very thankful to work at a company, and in an industry, that allows me to do that.
PCI-MA: What advice would you give someone just entering the workforce and the construction industry?
Pete: You don't have to feel defined by your position - everybody is allowed to share ideas, lend a hand, or make things better. There is more than enough opportunity here, and it's open to anyone who wants to take initiative, accept responsibility, and put out their best effort. Be willing to learn, and then be willing to teach - but don't stop being willing to learn. Above all that, or at least at the same time: be kind to others.
About Northeast Precast
Northeast Precast is a state-of-the-art precast concrete manufacturer located in Vineland, New Jersey that offers commercial products and residential foundation wall systems. In 2001, John Ruga started selling Superior Walls® in New Jersey and started precast manufacturing in 2004. Starting as only a Superior Walls franchise, the company diversified and became known as Northeast Precast, a leader in custom precast products. Today, Northeast Precast continues to expand to meet the demands of the residential, commercial building, highway infrastructure and heavy marine construction markets.
Want to learn more about a career in precast? Check out our workforce Career Center for job descriptions, career paths, job listings, and other helpful resources.
