Engineers have lots of strengths, but usually, project management is not one of them. If you let them manage their own project, it can quickly turn into a runaway train careening off the tracks. Work will creep out of scope, the budget will balloon, and deadlines will go by the wayside. 

That’s why we have Drew, our project manager. From managing timelines to ensuring clear client communication, he helps keep the train on the tracks. Read on to learn more about Drew’s journey in innovation.

How did you get into innovation?

A proud product of child labor, I grew up on a ranch raising livestock and running tractors. With a ready supply of duct tape and baling wire, along with grit and determination, we solved a lot of problems there on the ranch. After that, I went on to hold leadership roles in both restaurant and property management, addressing and resolving problems of all kinds, from technical and operational problems to interpersonal ones. And at its core, that’s what innovation is all about: problem-solving.

What drew you to PCDworks?

We have a great team and supportive leadership. We get to work with a diverse group of clients across multiple industries and scales, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. The location is beautiful, and it being within driving distance to mine and my wife’s family is a huge plus as well. 

What are your greatest strengths?

Adaptability, with dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity, as well as active listening and communication. I seek to understand clients’ concerns and needs and help them reach not just a solution, but the right solution for them, no matter what obstacles may arise.

What areas are you looking to improve on?

Though I’ve done the work of project management for a long time, I’m currently studying it formally, with the goal of gaining certifications in that field. Right now I’m taking a Google AI Essentials course to best leverage the productivity gains the technology offers when applied effectively. 

I also constantly seek out research articles and news publications to better my scientific understanding, engineering knowledge, and business acumen as it relates to client projects as well as personal interests.

What are you most fascinated by right now?

Applications for flexible composites and any projects or products that require a multi-disciplinary approach or integration of novel systems into a strong value proposition and solid product-market fit.    

What’s your favorite project you worked on and why?

My favorite project is also the first one I worked on at PCD: the WASP boat project. WASP, or Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program, is one of the best ways to understand and manage water composition and quality. It all starts with baseline data. However, real-time measurement of various chemicals in bodies of water is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. 

Our solution was to build an autonomous, motorized boat that tracks inside of the body of water (on a pre-programmed route that can be changed by downloading new directions from the cloud) and collects chemical data in real time, displaying it on a cloud-based dashboard.

Teaching a boat to boat involved many challenges—figuring out the navigation so the watercraft could move autonomously, integrating and testing electronics, and designing control systems so that the sensor data could be collected remotely and the boat course could be adjusted as needed without having to take a swim. 

Working with the team, we were able to overcome all the challenges. Plus being lakeside for testing was enjoyable. As much as I love the lab, field trips are always a lot of fun.

What do you think is most important to innovation?

Finding a problem that is worth solving and seeing it through to the end, whether that means a profit or pivot. I like to say that an idea is only as good as its execution, meaning if it is not realized, then it is of little value other than for thought’s sake or as a mental exercise.

What is your favorite quote related to innovation? 

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” 

—Mike Tyson

While not directly related to innovation, this quote highlights the idea that even the most well-thought-out plans can be disrupted by unexpected events or adversities, which are all too common when developing new technology.