Hometown/home base: My hometown is Houston, TX, and my home base is San Antonio, TX.
Years at Weston: 30
Education: Trinity University in San Antonio where I studied Geology.
Current role and experience: I am currently a Client Program Director and serve as Program Manager for multiple federal contracts, including an Environmental and Engineering A-E MATOC with the U.S. Coast Guard; an Environmental A-E SATOC with the FAA; and a SATOC where Weston manages the Sandia National Lab’s Low-Level Radioactive and Mixed Waste Facility.
Throughout my career at Weston, I have managed similar environmental contracts for the Air Force and have also held roles as an Operations Manager and Project Manager. My focus has always been on serving federal clients, primarily supporting environmental investigation, natural/cultural resource management, and compliance services.
Why geology: I initially intended to earn a degree in business at my small liberal arts university, but as part of my core curriculum, I had to take a certain number of science classes. I chose an Introduction to Geology class, and to my surprise, most of my classmates were female. This was the case for many of my geology classes until graduation. Being surrounded by many other women in a traditionally male-dominated field was both intriguing and inspiring. Additionally, I found my geology classes far more interesting than my accounting classes. This combination of inspiration and interest led me to pursue a career in geology.
Career highlights: Some of my career highlights include moving from Texas to Hawaii in 2000 to help establish the Honolulu office, which has since become a thriving location. In 2007, I successfully led the rebid of our AETC Environmental A-E contract with the Air Force. More recently, I played a key role in helping Weston secure its first-ever Environmental A-E Contract with the U.S. Coast Guard, where I now serve as the Program Manager.
Throughout my career, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have many wonderful mentors, and I continue to benefit from their guidance and support. Inspired by these positive experiences, I now give back by serving as a mentor under the Weston Women’s Network.
On employee ownership: To me, employee ownership means practicing accountability for the well-being and success of your teams and being willing to assist and contribute even when it’s outside your usual duties. What I appreciate most about working at Weston is the culture of support and collaboration. Regardless of whether I’ve met or worked with someone before, whenever I’ve asked for help, the answer has always been yes. I strive to embody this same spirit of cooperation and readiness to assist whenever I’m called upon.
Proudest achievement: My proudest achievement this past year has been successfully assuming the role of Program Manager for the FAA program. This involved inheriting a complex program with a long history and ensuring a smooth transition for both the client and team.
I’ve been collaborating closely with the new Weston Project Manager to understand the program, the client, and the history of our work. We’ve brought organization, profitability, and structure to the program by adhering to Weston’s policies and procedures. We’ve also prioritized fostering team member growth, enhancing client interaction through increased team involvement, and developing a more holistic approach to planning and decision-making across all task orders. We are truly fostering a collaborative and inclusive team environment where all perspectives are valued and actively considered. Recently, the client provided feedback that they were impressed with the actions we’ve taken to address their concerns.
Leadership: I consider myself a servant leader, dedicated to helping those around me succeed, whether they are Project Managers, supervisors, and mid-level Environmental Scientists. I regularly check in with my Project Managers and teams outside of project-specific calls or meetings, asking how I can assist, especially during busy or stressful times.
I’m also focused on engaging with more junior-level resources working under my programs, as I don’t usually interact with them. I introduce myself and offer my support to help expand their networks and aid in their growth.
Diversity and inclusion: Diversity has always been an integral part of my life and identity. My parents are bi-racial (Caucasian and Japanese), and I was adopted at birth by parents of Thai and Caucasian descent. Growing up, this diversity felt normal to me. When I got older, I recognized the uniqueness and value of my background. I later learned that my parents couldn’t marry in my mom’s home state due to laws against interracial marriage, so they were forced to cross state lines to wed. Despite facing prejudice, they never let others’ opinions deter them.
My multicultural upbringing naturally led me to form friendships with people from various cultures and backgrounds. At Weston, I see a strong commitment to celebrating and embracing employee diversity. It’s encouraging to see the organization focusing on growing its diversity, which enriches our community and workplace.