William “Bill” Atkins, CCM
VIRGINIA CEI LEADER
LOCATION: FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
William “Bill” Atkins, CCM
VIRGINIA CEI LEADER
LOCATION: FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
“Gannett Fleming is a great place to build a meaningful, long-term career. As an employee, you are fully supported in your professional growth and development.”
For William “Bill” Atkins, CCM, a deep-rooted love for the outdoors isn’t just a hobby — it’s a way of life. As a construction manager at Gannett Fleming, Bill thrives in the rugged terrain of project sites as he ensures successful project delivery.
In the heart of Virginia, Bill’s collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) isn’t simply about meeting defined budget and schedule parameters; it’s about driving continuous performance improvement to advance the future quality of VDOT’s roads and bridges. Spearheading a dynamic, statewide team of construction managers and inspectors, Bill navigates construction project sites with the precision of an experienced angler casting his line, ensuring his teams consistently deliver excellence for VDOT.
How long have you worked in your field? Tell us about your experience in your industry.
I started my career path with VDOT in 2000 as an inspector trainee. After several years of hard work and continued training, I secured a construction manager position. I truly enjoy my job and my heart will always be in the field, working on construction sites. I don’t have the opportunity to visit the field as much as I would like, but I try to visit the inspectors every chance I get. I keep all my certifications up-to-date so I can fill in and do inspection work if needed.
What brought you to Gannett Fleming, how long have you worked here, and what is it about the firm that makes you want to stay?
I joined Gannett Fleming in January 2021. A former colleague, Andrew Li, and I had worked together at my prior company. When I needed a career change, I decided to join someone I could trust and had goals like I did. We have grown the construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services in Virginia to become a true value-added partner that other firms want on their team.
Tell us about your day-to-day responsibilities at Gannett Fleming. What solutions do you provide to your clients?
I am a certified construction manager with nearly 25 years of experience in construction and project management, construction inspection and coordination, and record-keeping. Throughout Virginia, I work on many roadway and bridge design-bid-build and design-build projects, where I am responsible for coordinating all inspection tasks, assignments, and performance.
I manage the Virginia-based CEI team for VDOT and local agency project contracts. We have a highly successful statewide construction management and inspection team. I provide VDOT with qualified inspectors from my team of more than 20 construction professionals. We’re working as a prime contractor and subconsultant on various VDOT contracts in Staunton, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Culpeper. Additionally, we have locally administered contracts with Fauquier County, Arlington County, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County, just to name a few.
How does Gannett Fleming support your professional development and career growth?
Gannett Fleming is a great place to build a meaningful, long-term career. As an employee, you are fully supported in your professional growth and development, with opportunities to attend relevant training sessions aligned with your career objectives and the organization’s needs.
What impactful and innovative projects are you working on or have you worked on recently?
Currently, I am working with VDOT on the Construction Quality Improvement Program, which the department describes as “a check and balance to the field inspection and engineering oversight of VDOT’s construction projects to improve the future quality of VDOT’s roads and bridges.” This program is shaping how VDOT measures project management reporting.
How does your work contribute to Gannett Fleming’s vision of creating a better future, together?
When we are involved with construction projects, we become team players with the client, other consultants, the community, and the traveling public. Our work meaningfully impacts many lives and I make it my personal goal to always leave each site better than we found it.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To always be true to myself and to continue to remind myself that not all things are within my control.
Why is it important to have diversity around the table and what can architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms do internally to celebrate diversity and create a stronger sense of belonging across diverse groups?
Diverse perspectives lead to more innovative solutions and successful projects. When individuals from various backgrounds, experiences, and cultures collaborate, they bring unique insights and approaches to problem-solving, enriching the creative process and fostering innovation.
Additionally, diversity fosters greater empathy and understanding among team members, leading to improved communication and collaboration. AEC firms can celebrate diversity by fostering an inclusive environment, providing training and mentoring, and employing diverse hiring practices.
What are your favorite hobbies?
My favorite hobbies are hunting, fishing, and taking one of our Jeeps out for a drive. I also enjoy ATV riding on the weekends and spending time around a bonfire.
Tell us about your family and your favorite family tradition.
My wife, Missy, and I have been married almost 23 years, and we have two children. Wyatt is 21 and a senior at Longwood University, and our daughter, Chloe, is 18 and a second-year student at Laurel Ridge Community College. One cherished tradition for us is our annual family beach trip. We enjoy quality time together in one of our most beloved places. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and spend uninterrupted time as a family.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
Most people wouldn’t know my love of finding older boats, ATVs, and trucks to tinker with and restore.
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