Title: Department Manager for Construction Management
Company: Michael Baker International
Location: McDonald, Pennsylvania, United States
Adam R. Walkowiak, Department Manager for Construction Management at Michael Baker International, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.
Mr. Walkowiak has established an esteemed career in civil engineering and construction management, marked by a series of progressive roles and significant contributions to the industry. For over five years, he has excelled as the construction management department manager at Michael Baker International, overseeing projects from inception to completion. In this capacity, Mr. Walkowiak collaborates closely with proprietors and contractors to execute complex plans, drawing on his extensive rail and transit experience as the deputy program manager for a $4.5 billion initiative in Northern Virginia.
A diversified expert in his field, Mr. Walkowiak has achieved notable success in the water and wastewater sector, where he currently partners with client teams to replace lead piping to ensure safer drinking water and to develop acid mine drainage treatment strategies. Notably, over the last five years, he has focused on design and refurbishment alternatives that extend plant operational life by up to 50 years with minimal maintenance, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable infrastructure solutions.
Employed by Michael Baker International since 2008, Mr. Walkowiak was promoted to his present position after serving as an assistant construction manager from 2014 to 2017. His responsibilities included recruiting and mentoring recent graduates, integrating them into project teams and fostering their professional growth. The legacy of building a thriving department and witnessing team members flourish remains one of Mr. Walkowiak’s most rewarding achievements.
Between 2014 and 2015, Mr. Walkowiak advanced to project manager and construction manager at Michael Baker International, overseeing critical assignments that further honed his leadership abilities. Earlier, he served as a technical construction inspection supervisor, beginning in 2010, following his initial role as a TCI-3 from 2008 to 2010, where he gained foundational experience in technical construction inspection that would underpin his later successes.
A pivotal milestone in Mr. Walkowiak’s career was when he accepted his appointment as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh in 2019, teaching “CEE 2203 – Construction Methods and Equipment.” This role has fulfilled a longstanding aspiration, allowing him to impart knowledge and mentor emerging professionals within his field.
Mr. Walkowiak’s professional journey commenced as a civil engineering co-op with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in 2007, providing him with early exposure to public infrastructure projects. From May through August, he prepared and reviewed technical and price proposals, assisted with utility and railroad coordination, and performed other tasks.
Highly educated, Mr. Walkowiak earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 2007 and a Master of Science in civil and environmental engineering with a specialization in construction management in 2010 from the University of Pittsburgh. His initial interest in chemical engineering shifted after a conversation on a university tour with a friend pursuing civil engineering. This dialogue inspired Mr. Walkowiak’s transition to civil engineering, given its hands-on nature and collaborative focus on societal betterment through infrastructure development.
Mr. Walkowiak holds several certifications that reflect his commitment to excellence. He has been a certified construction manager through the Construction Management Association of America since 2015 and a professional engineer through the State of Pennsylvania since 2017. Each of these credentials has enhanced Mr. Walkowiak’s ability to deliver innovative solutions while maintaining high standards of safety and sustainability.
As part of the National Board for the Construction Management Association of America, Mr. Walkowiak contributes to standards of practice and diversity initiatives aimed at broadening industry participation. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is actively engaged in civic organizations and community service initiatives. Mr. Walkowiak has served as an LDI XXIX steering committee member for Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., mentored numerous students during the University of Pittsburgh’s annual conference, volunteered for FC Bridges and The Pittsburgh Promise, supported the Rukmini Foundation, coached at Academy programs and participated in Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.’s ODI Program.
Throughout his career, Mr. Walkowiak has demonstrated expertise in commercial and private buildings and facilities, as well as highways and bridges, underscoring his versatility and depth of knowledge in the field. Among his notable accomplishments was his collaboration with a select group to present a proposal to Michael Baker International’s executive leadership, which led to the creation of an early-career professionals’ program. Mr. Walkowiak also played a pivotal role in piloting a mentorship program that evolved into a lasting corporate initiative spanning three years. Launching with 100 mentors and mentees in 2018, its subsequent corporate-wide implementation propelled participation beyond 1,000 individuals within two years. These transformative programs attracted top talent, deepened camaraderie among staff and enabled substantial community contributions through volunteer efforts, such as soup kitchens and fundraising events.
Mr. Walkowiak’s exemplary work has been recognized through prestigious honors, including the Dr. William W. Hay Award from the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association and a Project of the Year Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies. He has also received multiple Project Achievement Awards.
Seeking to leave a legacy as a thoughtful leader by mentoring students and early-career professionals, Mr. Walkowiak also strives to shift construction culture toward open dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving to produce stronger solutions that benefit society at large. Among other goals, he continues to actively seek opportunities for advancement within Michael Baker International or other enterprises, including potentially founding his own organization, where he can leverage his expertise to drive organizational growth.
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