Our Spotlight series continues as we pay tribute to the veterans and active servicemembers who enrich our team with their skills and experience. Today, we highlight Josh Stice, a Survey Project Manager and valuable Dawood team member for over two and a half years. Read on to learn how the four years he spent in the United States Coast Guard influences the discipline, adaptability, and teamwork he demonstrates in the civilian workforce.
What military skills do you bring to our team?
The Coast Guard instilled in me a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. My service taught me that you have to be organized and adaptable to navigate challenges with precision. The ability to swiftly shift gears and respond to situations is crucial in our fast-paced environment.
What do you wish more people understood about veterans?
Veterans have lived through a spectrum of experiences. I wish people would look beyond political narratives and give veterans a chance, recognizing that we served for diverse reasons and fulfilled what was required of us.
How does your military experience influence your Dawood roles and responsibilities?
Military service fuels my strong commitment to each task, regardless of personal preferences. This dedication to “accomplishing the mission” is integral to my role as a survey manager for Dawood, where I explore new opportunities and provide comprehensive support in both field and office settings. This principle helps me effectively manage projects and ensures that our survey group receives the support they need to succeed.
Can you share a Dawood project that you found particularly rewarding?
Working with a large natural gas utility in Delaware and Eastern Maryland has been gratifying to see Dawood evolve from a subconsultant, to working directly with the utility as a prime consultant. Elevating our relationship marks significant growth and recognition of our expertise with this client, whom we assist on the construction side by providing field surveying during the as-built process delivered using GIS. In my role as trusted advisor, I work with Tim Woodfield, GISP, to create as-builts of projects for this utility client’s GIS. Thanks to our team effort, we’re a trusted partner for future growth with them.
How have your leadership skills from the military influenced your current role?
Developing leadership skills is an ongoing journey for me. The military laid the foundation for this, but I’m continuously applying and refining what I’ve learned in my Dawood role—focused on effective team management and project success. For example, I work weekly with Joab (Jody) Carter, our director of survey, and Michael Gray, our subsurface utility engineering (SUE) manager, since helping to bring Mike and our SUE team onboard with Dawood. I’m proud to have a hand in starting our SUE department and integrating Mike’s crew into our turnkey engineering and surveying operations.