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Interview with Charlotte A. Maddox, P.E., D.WRE

August 2009

Ms. Charlotte Maddox is the current Vice President at Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jernigan (PBS&J) in Tampa, Florida, where she began her career in civil engineering as a Project Manager. As Project Manager, Ms. Maddox worked on various top water resources projects with clients such as Southwest Florida Water Management District, Tampa Bay Water, West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority, Clearwater Florida, Florida Department of Transportation, and the City of Phoenix.

During her engineering career, Charlotte has been an active member with the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the Florida Engineering Society (FES), and also has been an active member of ASCE since being a student member. Most notably, Charlotte serves as the State Director for the Florida Engineering Society since 2002 and served as a Board of Director for NSPE from 2005-2006. Ms. Maddox also served in other various roles for the FES Boards and NSPE's committees.

Among some of Ms. Maddox's achievements include being the recipient of the NSPE PEPP (Professional Engineers in Private Practice) Merit Award in 2004; NSPE Outstanding Service Award in 2002; recognized as 'A Trendsetter for Engineering' for the Florida Trend Magazine (2002); and being named 2001 Young Engineer of the Year for State of Florida. In 2004, Charlotte was awarded the Technical Paper Award for South Tampa Area Reuse Project- Setting New Trends and she received Project Excellence Awards for her work on Frog Creek Stormwater Diversion and Storage (1997) and the Clearwater Harbor Monitoring Program in 1997.

Ms. Maddox has been a Diplomate since March 2006 and she answered some questions we had for her recently in an online interview:

Please share with us on where you grew up. What was it like for you growing up there?

CM: I grew up in the State of Florida; born in Miami and moving to Tampa at a relatively young age. I have always enjoyed being a Florida native and watching the state grow. I am very passionate about the work that I do here and the impact that it has on my community.

How early on did you know that you wanted to study civil engineering? What were the key factors in your decision to be a civil engineer?

CM: I actually choose this profession while I was in high school and at that time, I still didn't even know what an engineer did. I loved math and science and had a good friend who was going to be an engineer. I knew they used math and science and figured it was a good start to doing a job with the things that I loved. I absolutely fell in love with the profession during college and have been very happy with my decision ever since.

How did you enjoy being a Gator at University of Florida and then attending University of South Florida?

CM: Both schools were fantastic and I enjoyed the opportunities I had at both institutions. However, my heart is always with the Gators and I consider that my "true" allegiance. I was heavily involved in the football program, assisting with recruiting football players for the University as part of the Gator Getter program, and nothing has come close to matching that experience or creating those loyalties. Also, being a student was my full-time job at UF, at USF I attended night classes to complete my Masters while working full-time. So, the two experiences are not comparable and UF comes out on top for me for those reasons.

We read that you when you were an ASCE student member- your team earned 1st Place in Team Geotechnical Design at the ASCE Annual Student Conference in Georgia. Can you tell us more about that design and project? And how did you enjoy being awarded first prize?

CM: It was really a cool experience. We had to design a vertical wall using passive restraints and then construct that wall as high as we could during the allotted time period. All the teams were constructing at the same time, using the same materials so there was no time to really change a design to match what was and was not working. The final wall had to support a 500-pound load in order to be eligible for the prize so the tallest wall to support that won. We had an excellent design using a geotechnical fabric and our construction time was just incredible. So, our wall came in the tallest by far and the structure not only supported the required weight, but our entire team was able to get on top of the wall after we were graded and pose for our winning shot. Good memories.

You have worked on some vital projects in the state of Florida and elsewhere- is there a particular project that truly standout or is memorable to you personally?

CM: Everything I did for Tama Bay Water under the Master Water Plan really stands out for me as most notable. It was an incredible opportunity to work with a fabulous organization that spans multiple regions and geographies. Working with all those entities on the various water supply projects, which is something that is truly once in a lifetime.

You have worked in the private sector with PBS&J for your entire career- is this correct? What would be the best advice that you would give to a young engineer that is looking to start a career in the private sector?

CM: If you don't know exactly what discipline you want to practice, I would suggest picking a firm that is multi-disciplined whose culture most closely matches your personal and professional goals. I was very fortunate to select the firm that I did. I have been able to spend time in several different disciplines without having to learn a new organizational structure. Definitely a good match for me and one of the many reasons I have been able to stay at this firm as long as I have.

You are one of the founding Diplomates of AAWRE- what were the main factors in your decision to pursue the D.WRE?

CM: The prestige associated with the parent organization and my desire to show my strong commitment to my profession. I really like the entry requirements and the continuing education requirements being such a large part of the designation.

What types of services or initiatives would you like to see AAWRE pursue?

CM: I think AAWRE does a fairly good job of representing the water resources niche, so I like that. However, I think people are misguided when they look to belong to a professional organization for the services they can get provided to them rather than for what that organization stands for and what you can contribute. The draw for me is not what I can get, but it I believe it what it stands for and can positively contribute back.

You have been actively involved with both the Boards and Committees of both the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Florida Engineering Society- Are you still actively serving in any capacities and if so, in what capacity(s)? Would you be interested in serving on a future AAWRE committee?

CM: I am in coming Vice President of Finance for the State Board of FES and have also agreed to serve as the Regional Representative for the PEPP Branch of NSPE. So, yes I guess you can say I am still very active. I don't believe in passive membership within any professional societies so at some point I might pursue some heighten involvement within AAWRE, but right now my plate is rather full and my focus for my AAWRE involvement centers around the continuing education required to support my designation.

We understand that you are a dedicated Mom with kids at home also- is this correct? How do you juggle the tasks of being a Mom and a highly working professional?

CM: Once I figure that out I will let you know. Seriously, it is an extremely challenging issue that faces all working parents. I am committed to a balanced approach with life in general. My work life can't always fit around 9 to 5 so I don't expect my personal life to fit neatly outside of those working hours either. If my kids have something that is occurring during the day, I am going to participate just as I would engage in a work activity that falls into what was historically called "family time". It takes a lot out of you as a parent, but I would not change the role I play in my family's lives for anything.

What would be your advice to a female student coming out of college that is looking to excel in her career as a professional engineer but also have a family?

CM: Do not sacrifice your family for fear that you cannot juggle both. I see many women who choose not to have families not for lack of wanting them, but for fear that they cannot sustain that and still be an active professional. There is nothing wrong with choosing not to have a family....that is a personal decision. I would just encourage anyone, man or women, not to be mislead into believing that you have to choose either or. You can do both, even though it is a struggle, it can be done and firms are becoming more and more accommodating to the challenges of family, so look for that when choosing where you work.

We understand also that you have been actively involved in your community- such as the Guardian Ad Litem (Hillsborough County Thirteenth Judicial Circuit), Junior League of Tampa, Westshore Alliance and the Tampa Connection. Are you still actively involved with these organizations?

CM: Some of them yes, but I have other new focus ones as well, particularly my church where my two sons also attend school. I have been very involved in their community programs and that gives me a good opportunity to show interest in my sons' educations as well.

Can you share with us on your personal hobbies and interests?

CM: Boating is a big one...my husband particularly loves to get us out on the water. I also love to read, and do puzzles....anything to disconnect and engage in something mind-distracting is a good thing.

What would you like to see yourself doing, 5 years from now?

CM: I really don't have any preconceived notions about where I will be five years from now. I simply like to take on new challenges and keep growing and to get out of my comfort zone as much as possible so that could led me to just about anywhere I guess. Regardless of where I go, I do know that the experiences I have had as an engineer will shape me going forward and will give me something to look back on and be proud of.

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