Employee Exclusive: Get to Know Ned Rector
1. You’ve had an impressive 39-year career in building engineering, with nine years at CMTA. How did you get to the engineering field?
I clearly recall taking an aptitude test in the 8th grade that suggested engineering as a possible career choice, and that stuck with me. However, I was not sure what branch of engineering, so I started my education in mechanical engineering and never looked back. My mechanical engineering major coupled with a family background in construction led me to spend most of my career working in the Design-Build mechanical construction business.
2. Since joining CMTA in 2015, what are some of the biggest changes you have seen in the building engineering industry?
I joined the company originally concentrating on retro-commissioning trying to save energy in existing buildings, but procuring work was inconsistent. Consequently, I moved into mechanical engineering production work. The last couple of years, especially since moving from the Fargo office to the Minneapolis office, my work has changed dramatically often including decarbonization studies, energy modeling, energy conservation efforts and renewable energy projects.
3. Reflecting on your time at North Dakota State University (NDSU) as Associate Director of Planning and Construction Services, what were some key takeaways from working in operations for an academic institution, especially given the recent push for sustainability in higher education?
Nine years ago, North Dakota State University (NDSU) was not overly concerned with sustainability as we know it today. However, there was an effort to promote stewardship, whether that be energy, capital, or human resources, in maintaining buildings. Building design has lasting implications long after project completion. My NDSU role taught me to consider the entire building life cycle, carefully exploring and balancing competing factors with the owner to achieve project objectives.
4. What do you like best about working for our company?
I have recent insight into answering this question having just participated in the first Legence Leadership Council meeting. I believe this question can be answered in a single word: Culture. We have a culture of doing things right and putting employees first. Just imagine how enabling it is to know not only your business unit but the entire Legence collection of companies, including senior leadership, operate in a like-minded cadence. That is powerful.
5. Finally, you mentioned that family, faith, and work are central to who you are. What activities do you enjoy outside of work to connect with what matters to you most?
My wife Shelley and I are privileged to share our life with three married children and six grandchildren (and hopefully still counting). Becoming a grandparent has been such a thrill and we try and spend as much time as we can with them. We are also in the process of figuring out what our life might look like in a few years as we are exploring opportunities to support families and children in less fortunate places in the world.
