Betsy Turner

RMF Engineering
Electrical Project Manager

20 Years
in the Industry

How did you get started in the AEC Industry?

My interest in the industry began when I was in 10th grade. I did a history project on Frank Lloyd Wright inspired by a box of artifacts from his career handed down from a friend of my grandparents who had worked with him as a general contractor. Within, there were numerous construction images and photo boards of some of his most iconic projects, like the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Based on my research project, I was initially interested in becoming an architect. When it came time to research schools, I came across an architectural engineering degree program. That’s how I discovered the MEP and structural engineering world.

I ended up getting my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architectural Engineering at Kansas State University, and I’ve been in the engineering field ever since. Though I focus on electrical engineering, I have a broad background in all disciplines from my 20 years in the MEP space.

What inspires you to design? Do you incorporate any unique perspectives or values into your designs, and how do you think your experiences as a woman influence your work?

I've always had an engineer's mind; I like figuring out how things work, how things go together, how to do things. I draw a lot of inspiration from the people and project typologies I get to work with, trying to piece things together to accomplish a common goal. I really value collaboration at every level of a job, and find that working with others has had a major influence on my work. I like being behind the scenes and figuring things out, and in the MEP world, that’s key: if you can make a building function in a way that people don’t notice, you’ve done the job right!

Who have your role models been? Have you had any mentors throughout your career, and how have they shaped your journey in engineering?

Throughout my career, I’ve felt inspired by observing many of the women around me, but one particular instance really sticks out in my mind. Early on in my professional development, I worked with a woman who had a large bandwidth and spent many hours at the office. Though many looked up to her as an example for her work ethic, she made it very clear that we were to set our own boundaries when it came to our work. She would regularly say she chose to do this, but that it doesn’t have to be exactly what you choose. As a young person coming up in the industry, it really resonated with me, and it’s a sentiment I’ve tried to emulate to other young people throughout my career––it’s a powerful thing to encourage others to set different boundaries for themselves, as work styles are not a one-size-fits-all situation.

How do you see the conversation on sustainability going in our industry?

I’ve spent most of my career on the West Coast in markets like California and Washington where sustainability has typically been at the forefront of projects, as it tends to be more code enforced. Moving to the Southeast, while code requirements are not as stringent, there is still a strong desire in the industry to do what's right for the environment.

To what degree people are pushing for it tends to vary per market, but in any instance, there’s an economic drive to save energy, which has become the baseline for most projects. There are plenty of clients and owners that aim to run their facilities in the most efficient way possible.

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far, and how did it shape your professional journey?

Around 2008, I worked on a new construction office campus in Seattle; a big project while I was still early on in my career. I would regularly meet with the veteran team of electrical contractors, who would turn to me for insight and recommendations. Only three or four years into my career, it meant a lot to me to be spoken to with respect and truly be treated as part of the team. This was a pivotal moment in empowering me as a design equal to the other project partners. Even after the project, the rapport we had built encouraged us to stay connected, and they remained people I reached out to with design questions. Sometimes it’s not the flashiest project that marks a turning point in your career, but an experience that makes you feel confident and capable.

Tell us about some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on.

My very first project right out of college was the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Broad Contemporary Art Museum building, which will always stick out to me as a really challenging and fun project. I also worked on the Seattle Convention Center Summit building, which was the largest construction project in the city of Seattle in the last 30 years, as well as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation campus headquarters. My first project as the sole MEP project manager was the University of Washington Foster School of Business, so that will always stick with me. In South Carolina, I’m really excited to dive deeper into healthcare projects with RMF, as they merge the backgrounds of my mother, who is a retired ICU nurse, and my father, who spent many years as a contractor.

What advice would you give women just entering the industry?

I would tell women entering the industry to take advantage of the existing opportunities that others have paved the way to create. Work hard and put yourself out there, find teams that offer the support and opportunities to help you thrive for years to come.