We’re spotlighting another one of our employee-owners—Tirrell Day, P.E., Senior Project Manager in our Florida office.
Tirrell has experience across industrial, federal, and commercial projects, including new construction, renovations, and remediation. He has provided construction inspection and structural assessments using both destructive and non-destructive methods, working with steel, aluminum, concrete, wood, and masonry for buildings such as warehouses, office buildings, and federal facilities.
Question 1: What inspired you to join Providence, and what has kept you here?
Knowing the company is employee-owned checked one of my boxes for joining. Ultimately, it is the ongoing encouragement of a healthy work-life balance, which is supported from the top down, that has kept me. That, combined with the genuine feeling of being part of a team working toward the same goal of being the engineer of choice, makes this experience truly rewarding.
Question 2: What does being an employee-owner mean to you?
Being an employee-owner means contributing to the success of an organization and seeing the benefits in a meaningful way.
Question 3: What’s a project or accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?
A few years ago, I had the honor of working on a project for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP): the Fort Mose Reconstruction, a historic fort restoration. The project was unique from the design down to the aesthetic features which needed collaboration between the client, contractor and the A/E team. However, it was the impact on the community which left the greatest impression.
Question 4: Describe Providence in 3 words.
It would be easy to pick integrity, quality and efficiency, which are part of the company vision statement. Three others would be dedication, community, and teamwork.
Question 5: If you weren’t an engineer, what profession would you be in?
If I wasn’t an engineer, I would likely be an appliance repair man. I’ve worked on almost every device in the house, and sometimes with success!
Question 6: What’s the most unusual job or task you’ve ever had?
My most unusual job is likely not a surprise given my profession. I once operated a track-mounted excavator and front-end loader for a summer job.
Question 7: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
You must give to receive. Or, as it’s often said, “giving with a generous heart leads to receiving.”
Question 8: What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
Trust your gut feeling. You’ll always regret it when you don’t listen.
Question 9: Who is/was your biggest role model?
My father is my biggest role model. However, that answer would have been different twenty years ago.
Question 10: What’s one movie, book, or TV show you never get tired of?
Star Wars never gets old. Preference towards episodes 4, 5 and 6.
Question 11: What’s your hidden talent or hobby most people don’t know about?
I enjoy scuba diving when my schedule permits. I also enjoy backpacking.
Question 12: What’s a fun fact about you that always surprises people?
I speak pretty decent German, which I learned while living in Austria. However, I’m losing that ability by the day.
Question 13: If your life were a movie, who would play you?
Michael B. Jordan, just because everyone thinks this guy is the coolest.
Question 14: What’s your all-time favorite guilty pleasure snack or treat?
Salted caramel anything.
Question 15: What’s the first concert you ever attended?
As a child, it must have been the Minnesota Orchestra. My father was a huge fan of classical music. In college, I can recall an Incubus concert in Atlanta. Maybe that was my first.
Question 16: What’s something on your bucket list you’re hoping to check off soon?
Diving the Great Barrier Reef. If that doesn’t work out, I’d be happy with a visit to Australia.
Question 17: What’s your go-to karaoke song or pump-up anthem?
I’m no good at karaoke, tried it again recently and butchered the song. Recently I’ve been getting pumped-up to Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony.
Question 18: If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it at work?
For me, that’s a no-brainer: flying like Superman! I would get to and from home and work much quicker. I have a 45-minute commute so this would be very valuable. Beyond that, the possibilities are endless.
Stay tuned each month as we continue to highlight more of our employee-owners and share their unique stories. We’re excited to showcase the people who make Providence a great place to work!
