They are impatient CEOs and ambitious company problem-solvers, but also generous mentors, deep-thinking visionaries and committed social activists-with just the right mix of talent, experience, foresight, drive and empathy to tackle construction's persistent challenges and help lead it into a new era of technology transformation and growth. The individuals selected as ENR's National Top 20 Under 40 for 2019 have enough industry experience to know what works and what doesn't, as well as lots of idealism and energy to create change and make it stick. Some are changemakers by being pioneers in complex new roles with uncertain reward. Myesha McClendon was the first black female engineering manager at Milhouse Engineering & Construction, then launched its aviation practice, which has now completed more than 30 projects at Chicago's three airports. Starting as an intern at St. Louis contractor S.M. Wilson, Mark Cochran became its first chief operating officer-increasing profit by $5 million since 2016 and becoming a regionwide labor negotiator. Some have also worked to insure a pipeline, inspiring others on the job or through pro bono work. Parsons' California manager, Robert Davis, mentors San Francisco teens in a summer program showcasing environmental infrastructure careers. Thornton Tomasetti exec John Barry has designed off-Broadway building sets, including a rain-making pump system for one production. Susan Stabler used her role as a Brasfield & Gorrie VP in Alabama to create and then lead for five years its women's networking group and other new diversity vehicles. In recognizing the Top 20, chosen by industry judges (see p. 24), ENR this year also tasked them to become a think tank, offering ideas in four critical industry challenge areas: workforce growth and diversity, project delivery and productivity, sustainability and resilience, and infrastructure investment advocacy. Read more about all 20 rising leaders and their insights on the pages that follow.
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