Mangiagli of Kaestle Boos Associates discusses her strongest influence

Name: Jennifer Mangiagli, RA, LEED AP BD+C Title: Project Architect Company: Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc. Years with Company: 15 Years in Field: 15 Address: 416 Slater Road, New Britain, CT 06050-2590 Telephone: 860.229.0361 Email: sschuck@kba-architects.com URL: www.kba-architects.com During the last 10 years of your career, which professional accomplishment, honor or achievement has meant the most to you and why? My firm has always focused on school design and I am so happy to know that I can play a role in a child's experience growing up by providing a school that they are proud of. The renovation of Lincoln Elementary School in New Britain is an accomplishment for me because it was my first as a project architect, and I saw it through from beginning to end. Hearing the client's excitement about utilizing the new school and how it will benefit future students gave me a great sense of pride in being able to help make that happen. How do you contribute to your company and/or the industry? My specialty and passion is in code consulting. Because we work with a variety of building types and each project is unique, including location, each project is affected differently by local, state, and federal codes. I assist project teams with code analyses and I enjoy finding appropriate, cost efficient solutions to benefit the project and ultimately the client. How do you manage the work/life balance? Being surrounded by others who support you makes all the difference. I am so appreciative to have a boss who recognizes the importance of family, in-laws who help out with my children when needed, and a husband who understands the benefit for each of us to have some personal time. In addition, working in the same field as my husband means that he knows what is expected at work, what is needed to get the job done, and we can easily alter schedules on the fly. Who or what has been the strongest influence, especially about family? Chuck Boos, principal and CEO of Kaestle Boos. Since my start as an intern, he has been my greatest mentor and allowed me to gain experience on all types of projects with different clients. Even now, 15 years later, I continue to learn so much from his drive, enthusiasm, and commitment to clients. He never lets a training opportunity pass by and provides me with work that fosters my growth. Equally important now, Chuck recognizes the importance of family and being a mom, and he supports my need to balance my career and be there for my two young children. Where would you like to be in 10 years from today? I hope to be more experienced, just as passionate about my work, and even better at the things I find most challenging.