Eric Kukieza, AKF Group
Senior Project Manager
Years with company/firm: 5
Years in field: 15
What is your most notable project, deal or transaction?
Early in my career, working on a project during my co-op at Drexel for a university on designs for nine new buildings with 300 dorm rooms helped set the stage for understanding large-scale projects and complex mechanical systems.
At this stage of my career, most of my projects have been focused on healthcare and life sciences, which demand attention to detail and the overall experience of people who will be in the environment that we’re creating and designing for them.
How do you contribute to your company and/or the industry?
Mentorship for new graduates entering the workforce is a key area of importance at AKF Group that my colleagues and I focus on. While our day to day is hectic, we all take time to make sure they have exposure to leadership opportunities and industry events. Encouraging our junior staff members to get involved with programs like ACE Mentor or other volunteer/charity work helps to provide additional opportunities to grow.
What impact has social media/networking had on your career?
Going to college in Philadelphia helped create a built-in network not only with other engineers but also across all industries.
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position and why you choose the field/profession you are in today?
I’m lucky that I always knew engineering would be my primary focus, but an internship helped me to figure out that I wanted to focus on mechanical engineering because of the unique challenges that can occur. Having a variety of problems to solve with each new project and a need to communicate and work out solutions with clients motivates me.
What unique qualities and or personality trait do you feel makes you most successful in your profession?
A sense of humor – not just for me but for anyone in this industry – is a quality that will help any team get through long days to meet deadlines. Strong project management skills come with time but remaining open to learning from my colleagues has helped me to understand my blind spots.
Who do you feel was most influential in your life when choosing this profession?
My parents – they are hard-working and no BS people. If I chose a profession for the wrong reasons, they would call me out on it so that helped me stick to engineering. I was also fortunate that one of my early mentors combined professionalism and a straight-forward approach to help communicate effectively in the industry.
What is the funniest, most unique situation you have faced/conquered during your career? Or in your life?
2008 and 2020 were unique years that changed not only the industry as a whole but the entire labor market. Learning to be flexible and resilient, as cliche as it sounds, really does make a difference in conquering challenges. As for the funniest situation, that’s a story that can get told at Lloyd Whiskey Bar.
What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time?
Philly Kicking Cancer is a philanthropic organization that I’ve been involved with since 2008. We organize events and coordinate an annual kickball tournament to fundraise for cancer research and palliative care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. We’re always looking for people to help out and participate.