Building on Newfound Knowledge

Bill Potempa (EMDC '19) was 10 years into his career when he decided he wanted an educational boost. He learned a lot about the built environment sector during that first decade of working — first as a project engineer and estimator and later as a project manager — but he wanted to know more. He felt going back to school was the best way to do that.

He was right.

"I knew there was a lot more I had to learn about our industry and wanted to accelerate the gaining of that knowledge as best I could," Potempa said. "With that increased knowledge, I knew I could be more impactful to colleagues, teams, and communities. My impact could be greater than on an individual project scale, but on an entire company or industry."

To create that impact, Potempa turned to Northwestern Engineering’s Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction (EMDC) program. Potempa was drawn to the program because of the faculty, who all have extensive industry experience and are often actively working in the field.

He also liked that his classmates would each possess at least as much professional experience as he did and would represent a diverse cross-section of the built environment sector. 

"Having spent my entire career on the contractor's side of the industry, it was eye opening to see from both the instructors' and other students' perspectives," Potempa said. "The instructors were great, but I learned just as much from the other students who had backgrounds in real estate, design, architecture, or were construction managers or business owners. I better understood the importance of all these roles to a successful project."

Potempa took that knowledge and applied it to a new job at Terra Site Constructors, where he began working in 2020. The company provides innovative solutions for government, commercial, and industrial infrastructure, as well as construction projects throughout the United States.

Potempa spent two years as the company's lead estimator and senior project manager before becoming vice president of estimating.

One of Potempa’s career highlights was his work on an Interstate 395 express lanes project in Northern Virginia that spanned eight miles from Alexandria to the Potomac River. The three-plus-year project featured an array of components, including: 

• Converting two high occupancy vehicle lanes into three-lane express lanes 
• Reconfiguring and improving interchanges 
• Working on the Pentagon Reservation 
• Rehabilitating more than 20 bridges 
• Installing new traffic signals 
• Widening roadways 
• Installing sound walls 

Potempa was involved in almost all aspects of the project, including design, scheduling, work planning, field coordinating, owner relations, change orders, monthly progress meetings, project engineering, and project management. Many nights and weekends were required, but thanks to Potempa’s leadership, the project was completed on time. 

He credits EMDC with preparing him to succeed on that project — and for helping him get where he is today.

"I learned concepts and business practices in EMDC that I may not have gotten on the job for another 10-20 years, if at all," Potempa said. "The program gave me more tools in the toolbox that I can use to help teams be more successful. EMDC also helped me feel more confident at executive-level meetings because I know I earned my spot at the table." 

In September, Potempa left Terra Site Constructors to become director of construction at WG Construction Co., a heavy civil construction contractor. The new opportunity allows him to take on a direct leadership role in project operations.  

He's excited to bring his EMDC knowledge to his new employer. He's also passing it on to others considering a career in the built environment sector. Potempa recently completed teaching an 11-week evening course on construction project management this fall at a local community college. 

"I am excited to share some of the lessons I learned through the EMDC program with individuals from my community," he said. "EMDC was a great choice for me, and I reflect very highly on my time in the program."