Experience Matters: Q&A with Sr. Project Engineer Laura Moore

At Gray, experience counts. Whether on the jobsite or in the office, nothing can replace years of seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges. That’s why Gray gives experienced professionals the autonomy to chart their own course and the authority to execute their vision. For the past 27 years, Senior Project Engineer Laura Moore has pioneered her path at Willett Engineering, a Gray company. We spoke with her about her journey at the company, why she enjoys her role, and even her passion for quilting.

Describe your normal workday–your “day in the life.”

“I start most days by rising at 5:30 a.m. and joining my exercise buddies for either a run or an hour of weight-bearing exercises. Then, I head home, interact with my family, and get ready for the work day. If my work schedule allows, I will savor an hour of creative time working on my quilting endeavors and then go to the office.

Once at work, I am responding to questions from contractors, via phone and email, interacting with my team of four engineers to create contract documents for our clients, or analyzing, designing, and modeling a building. During an average month, I also prepare proposals for new stores and review a stack of invoices for the previous month’s work.”

What do you enjoy most about your work?

“I very much enjoy being on a first-name basis with many of the contractors and subcontractors who are building the stores we design. These relationships make the work more personal to me.”

What has been your most memorable experience since being a part of the Gray Family?

“The most memorable experience I’ve had is sharing meals with some of the Gray executive leadership team.”

What’s the most valuable advice you’ve ever been given?

“The advice given to me was provided by example, not through words, by my sister from another mother and co-worker, Lelia. She says to start every email with the words “Thank you…”. Starting your communication with those words immediately creates an experience of collaboration, instead of blame or frustration.”

What do you think sets Gray apart from other service providers in the industry?

“I believe it’s our commitment safety.”

In one word or phrase, how would you describe Gray?

“Leaders.”

What unique capabilities does Willett provide, and how do they complement Gray’s overall service offering?

“We are imaginative engineers who all participate in our projects from their inception to their completion. Each one of us has the ability to provide structural engineering services for any building Gray constructs or outfits.”

If someone was visiting the Atlanta area, what would you recommend to them as a “must-do?”

“Atlanta has quite a few human rights-related activities, including the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the African-American Panoramic Experience Museum, the King Center and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, as well as the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. I live in the small community of Decatur, about six miles east of downtown Atlanta, and we have a fabulous selection of restaurants, bars, shops, and parks that could keep someone busy for days.”

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