My name is Molly C. Stewart, and I am a firm administrator with a Virginia-based MEP firm. I have been with my firm for 20 years, working my way through various areas of the firm’s administration. I now serve as a firm principal and CFO. While finance is my primary focus, I continue to be involved in many aspects of the firm. I lead a small team that helps me manage and support human resources, marketing, firm administration, contracts, and project management.

This year, I had the opportunity to participate in the SDA’s EDSymposium in Colorado Springs. I was eager for this experience because most of my continuing education is done virtually, and there is something unique about in-person learning—the engagement and camaraderie. And let me tell you, the content of this event was amazing. It covered a wide array of operational support topics.

For example, we heard from Gregory Hart with PSMJ about the AEC market and current trends. It was reassuring to hear that wage inflation is easing off. While 6% increases in our industry were great, maintaining such increases year after year would have been challenging. It was also insightful to learn which markets are thriving and which ones are cooling down. This information helps companies like mine refocus their marketing efforts to diversify their workload. Gregory also touched on AI in our industry. Although we've seen AI starting to make an impact, the question remains: are we embracing it yet? Our firm should probably invest more energy to stay ahead of the competition as AI becomes more integral to our industry.

We also heard from Frank Musica with Victor Insurance. Frank discussed employment practice concerns in the workplace, highlighting issues that hadn't fully made it onto my radar yet. Who would have thought about dementia in the workplace? Even though this may be a current concern for many firms, I hadn't considered the impact of the aging population in relation to my firm and the impacts to quality and safety. One key takeaway from Frank was that “being consistent is the best risk management advice.” This piece of advice reminded me that my firm needs to review our company manual to ensure we cover workforce changes, such as our aging employees.

Finally, I want to note one additional benefit from this great experience that has nothing to do with the speakers but everything to do with personal growth. I am very much an introvert. While I may seem like a social butterfly to those who know me well, I am a wallflower at big events and usually accompany other more seasoned professionals to networking events. Attending this symposium was a big step for me, requiring personal pep talks and motivational notes! Participating in this event allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and grow both professionally and personally. I am thrilled to say that I ventured beyond my little world and now feel stronger and better prepared to support my company.

Hear Molly talk about her EDS24 experience in her own words. Click Here to Listen. 

Molly Stewart is the Vice President/Treasurer of the Administrative Department

with Vansant & Gusler, Inc. in Norfolk, VA.

She was one of the PPC Grant First Time Attendee Recipients for EDS24.