Doug Cole

How did you come to PRIME AE?
I worked for John M. McDonald Engineering P.C. during my entire career until that firm was acquired by PRIME AE in 2015.

Describe your role and what you do at PRIME AE?
I am the Senior Director, New York Water/Wastewater, and I work on a wide-variety of projects for our clients that have project budgets ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of millions of dollars.

What do you enjoy and find most rewarding about your job?
As primarily a wastewater engineer, I get to solve problems that help to increase the quality of life for a lot of people and design projects that improve the environment.

What was your proudest moment at PRIME AE?

Last year, when I designed a small project at the Town of Rotterdam Great Flats Nature Trail that included a porous pavement parking lot and rain garden. This tied in directly with my son Daniel’s Eagle Scout project to update the trail brochure, restore the trail markers, and repair five wooden bridges on the 1.5 mile nature trail.

What advice would you give to recent new hires?
Learn all you can from others around you and ask as many questions as necessary for you to understand the task at hand. Also, hone your writing skills as conveying your thoughts in an easy to read and understand manner is essential.

What are your hopes for the industry?
I see the Civil Engineering field continuing to grow in the future as our infrastructure ages and as more stringent Federal and State requirements continue to be issued.

How are you involved in your community?
Many ways… I have been a Boy Scout leader for the past 10 years. Additionally, I am a member of the Oldsmobile Club of America and Tri-City Muscle Car Club, vice-chairman of the Schenectady County Water Quality Coordinating Committee, past president and current director of the Capital District Chapter of the New York State Professional Engineering Society, and a voting member of the New York State Canal Recreationway Commission.

When you retire, what do you hope people will say about you at your retirement party?
Who says I am going to retire? I thought once you become an engineer, you are one for life!?

People would be surprised to know?
That this year is my 25th wedding anniversary with my high school sweetheart, Tina.

What do you do for fun?
Work on restoring my ’65, ’68 and ’86 Olds 442’s. I have a media blaster, a welder and compressor with painting equipment, among other specialty tools, so I hope that I can complete most of the work myself.