Staff Spotlight: David Song, PE

David Song, PE is a Principal and Senior Project Manager at Civiltec Engineering, whose 20+ years of expertise (18+ with Civiltec) and dedication have driven the successful completion of over 689 projects since 2013. Beyond his professional achievements, David is a community-focused leader, actively volunteering with local organizations and nurturing the next generation of engineers through mentorship and development initiatives.

Can you share a memorable moment or a challenging project from your 20+ years at Civiltec that had a significant impact on your career?

I recall one of the first groundwater well projects that I managed had a significant impact on my career.  It was for San Gabriel County Water District’s Well 16.  I was responsible for the project from start to finish and was involved in the design, permitting, bidding, and construction.  I learned a lot about managing my time while also being available to coordinate with multiple stakeholders including my team, sub-consultants, our client, the contractor, and the community. The well was situated on District property and surrounded by residential properties, so we had to ensure construction activities did not disturb residents also when construction was complete and the well was running, the sound generated from the well motor did not exceed city noise ordinances. We designed a special enclosure that would reduce noise.

As a mentor to young engineers, what advice do you find yourself giving most frequently?

Never stop asking questions. Civiltec has numerous individuals who have been in the industry for decades. There are numerous projects we have completed since our inception. I encourage our young engineers to seek out everyone in the company because there’s so much to learn from their experiences.

With over 689 projects managed since 2013, what strategies do you use to maintain high standards and efficiency in your work?

Time management and organization are crucial to working effectively and meeting deadlines. Planning for the day or even a week is not enough. Project managers need to effectively plan for projects that are in production and projects that are backlogged months in advance. Resource management is also key to ensuring projects are completed. We rely on our talented engineers, designers, drafters, and admin staff to assist in executing our projects. Planning their workload is a balancing act that is done on a weekly basis in our project manager’s meetings.

Given your extensive experience in water infrastructure projects, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities in this field in the coming years?

Water systems across the nation have issues with aging infrastructure. Cyclical improvements have not kept up with this aging and are compounded by population increases, new developments and redevelopments. The challenge for water purveyors is being able to fund these projects to ensure their systems are reliable and sustainable. The opportunities for consultants are to be available to our clients to partner in tackling these challenges and ensuring the most important projects are executed on time and budget but also assisting in identifying and prioritizing future projects.

How do you envision the future of Civiltec, and what goals do you have for the company and its impact on the community?

I envision Civiltec to broaden its presence as the premier engineering firm to tackle civil-related issues throughout our service regions and beyond. I want to continue to develop strong relationships with clients and communities that we serve while ensuring sustainability, public health and safety, and regulatory compliance. I want to equip our leaders to reach organizations to assist in improvements and change and develop our younger generation into leaders in this industry. I envision that Civiltec will attract quality clients and talent because of our continuous commitment to customer service and positive company culture.

What role do you believe office activities and social events play in fostering a positive work environment and strengthening team cohesion?

These activities and events are extremely important because they build relationships, enhance morale, and reduce stress. I believe these activities help foster personal connections and improve collaboration and communication with the team. One activity I particularly look forward to is playing Mario Tennis with our staff. We also periodically provide lunch to the office and set up a table where we all can sit together to enjoy the meal and chat. This gives us a chance to unwind and engage in non-work conversations. Annual company events like Day at the Races and the company-wide Christmas party are a great way to get out of the office and connect with people in other offices that we don’t get to see very often.

How have you built and maintained strong relationships with clients over your extensive career, and what do you believe is the key to long-term client satisfaction?

The key is to be responsive and attentive. Our approach to all our clients is that we are an extension of their staff. We want our clients to have the confidence that we are available when they reach out but also have the expertise to tackle the issue or project that is a priority for them.