Spotlight on Micah
Congratulations to Micah Burdick, virtual construction piping modeler, for earning the March 2021 Employee Spotlight!
Justin Tucker, virtual construction division manager, says, “Micah has taken on a few different roles during his 5 years here at Mark III, but for the last 2 ½ years he has shined in his current role as a virtual construction piping modeler. Although his main focus is plumbing/piping, Micah isn’t afraid to venture out of his comfort zone and take on projects that include anything from electrical and framing to structural steel. Micah has grown into a leader on the virtual team and is continually looking for better and faster ways to improve productivity and accuracy. It has been an honor working with Micah these last few years and I am proud to have him on the virtual construction team.”
Thank you for your commitment to Mark III, Micah!
Interview
What is your favorite Mark III core value (teamwork, innovation, integrity, work-hard-play-hard, transparency) and how does it play a part in your everyday role & responsibilities?
My favorite core value is innovation. The culture of innovation at Mark III allows me to push the boundaries of what we design. I’ve never been told a design or plan wouldn’t work, I have only received insight and ideas to make them better.
How do our core values play into your everyday role & responsibilities?
Virtual construction to me is the perfect blend of teamwork and innovation. I am always working to find a better way of serving the teams in the shop and field. The best part of my job is when I get a call from someone asking me a question, and can have the answer back to them in minutes. I can take Trimble points or tape measured dimensions and put them into my model to help find solutions on the spot, and spot problems in my model well before it becomes an issue in the field.
I work to listen to the field to make sure my models match their expectations and needs, and ensure my spool and install sheets are clear for the shop. I know the job in the field is a hard one. If the fab shop and field have an easier time getting their work done, then I have done my work.
Our team is also excellent at sharing ideas. Every time I sit at my desk I think: “How can I make this faster and easier?” When we come up with a better way of doing something the rest of the team usually knows within minutes.
How has Mark III helped you in your career development?
I started in the fab shop in 2015 as a welding trainee. Under Joe Snyder I learned more about construction and Mark III, and I knew I wanted to be further ahead in the stream of work. I was given the opportunity to lead the dry side and specialty metals shop, and later moved up to the office as a purchaser and coordinator for the pre-fabrication shop.
Once I saw the powerful technology that was being used to create the models I had worked off of in the shop and purchased from in the office, I knew I wanted to be a modeler to bring together my knowledge of the fab shop, constructability, and purchasing, to the very outset of planning the work. I have now been in virtual construction for almost 3 years.
What is your proudest moment at Mark III?
Currently we are knees deep in the most exciting project I have come across while working at Mark III.
The UCD conversion project combines mechanical piping and structural steel to design and fabricate 31 heat exchanger skids to be installed in difficult, cramped conditions.
This project brings together all of the skills I have learned at Mark III. I am proud to be working with Justin Tozzi, Tullio Sarra, Jack McKnight, and the fab shop on a team that I believe is perfect to meet this challenge.
Sound like a team you want to be apart of? Check out our open positions and apply today!