“These have been the best years of my life,” says Sharyn Fox, municipal program manager at Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP (WRA) an engineering consulting firm involved in construction management and environmental issues. Fox has been with the company for 13 years. A Virginian, she has been employed in marketing and business development for 25 years. Fox targets potential markets, identifies key hires and serves as liaison to WRA’s clients. The firm has doubled in size during her tenure.
Fox has been heavily involved in civic work. “The company supports and sponsors these endeavors,” she says. She is currently vice chair of the Newport News Planning Commission. She is on the board of the Peninsula SPCA, president of the Newport News Green Foundation, past president of the Rotary Club of Newport News and the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). She has received many distinguished service awards.
“We are proud of the honors and awards received by our employees,” says Fox. Many have received awards from such organizations as the Virginia Water Environment Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Water for People.
WRA is involved in transportation, building design and water/waste water; it is a top firm in the nation. Its aim is to deliver high quality service on time and on budget. A global company on five continents, it was founded in 1915. Headquarters are in Baltimore, Maryland. There are seven offices in Virginia. Privately owned and locally managed, the company is committed to high ethical standards and innovative thinking. The local office employs 20 associates.
Current projects include widening Denbigh Boulevard and building the Atkinson Boulevard overpass. There are a number of ongoing projects for Hampton Roads Sanitation District.
Associate Jay Allen is a professional engineer. He has been with WRA for two years. Prior to joining the company, he spent 23 years in consulting/engineering. “I was recruited,” he says. A graduate of the University of Virginia (Engineering) he earned a masters degree at Virginia Tech. “I am a project manager. I enjoy being ‘out in the field,’ he adds. “I enjoy working with clients and making sure the job is done correctly. We are aiming for repeat business.”
“We do a lot of public utilities work,” says Allen. “Sea level rise, storm water issues, crumbling infrastructure — these all contribute to a lot of repeat business. Water tanks need replacing and there is continuing maintenance, of course.” Allen adds that the public utilities in Hampton Roads are well run.
Allen manages both the Newport News and Virginia Beach offices. He is also very active in the community. He is president of the American Society of Civil Engineers/Virginia and president of the MidAtlantic Chapter of APWA. He has received distinguished service and community involvement awards from APWA. Currently he is serving on the Newport News Watershed Protection Board.
Allen is a strong advocate of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program.”There is a great need for qualified engineers,” he says. “Plenty of jobs are available. This will be true well into the future. This kind of work is very rewarding; it impacts everyone.”
Fox is married with two children and four grandchildren. She has four rescue cats and feeds cats in the local feral colony. Any spare time is spent reading. Allen plays a guitar and keyboards. He is currently in a band called “Brother Lucy.” “We are all Menchville High graduates. And we are paid to play at events,” he says with a smile.
Fox and Allen expect their office to double in size. They look forward to hiring younger employees to mentor.
Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP
TO THE POINT:
Address: 11870 Merchants Walk, Ste. 100, Newport News VA 23606
Phone: 757-599-5101
Website: www.wrallp.com
Contacts: Sharyn Fox, municipal program manager
Jay Allen, associate, professional engineer
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