Robert founded Pacific Northwest Consulting in 2005, after 26 years in the industry. Starting off as a heavy equipment operator in 1979, Robert worked his way up and eventually decided to branch off on his own as a consultant to help others run projects smoothly.

Being the owner and senior project manager for a small firm means he gets to work with clients and employees on many levels, which keeps things interesting. Both roles have him forecasting and maintaining project work loads, budgets and cash flow, and scheduling, and also offering guidance.

He is there to deal with the paperwork—reviewing RFIs (requests for information), PRs (proposal requests), and change orders—and also to schedule projects, evaluate estimates, and advise the client on what to expect in the process, including planning for contingencies.

The most common problem he sees when clients come to him with projects? Budgeting. He says that many clients create a budget with the best case scenario in mind, so he works with owners and developers to build unknowns into the project cost.

“There are changes to every project, and (clients) need to have the proper amount of contingency to cover adds, upgrades, and the unknowns of the site or existing structures,” he says.

The most inspirational work moments for Robert are seeing the grand opening of a project just completed.

Tracy joined Pacific Northwest Consulting in 2010, and has been handling all accounting duties for the company ever since. In addition to managing payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial statements, Tracy is always sure to lend a helping hand when office needs arise.

She knows that well-managed finances allow the company to succeed and serve clients well.

“Producing and maintaining accurate and reliable accounting records so that the company can thrive and continue to grow” is what Tracy says she finds most inspiring about her job.

Lindsay joined Pacific Northwest Consulting in 2014 because it’s work that runs in her blood. She followed her dad’s footsteps into the industry, having watched him manage complex projects and seeing his satisfaction looking at a completed building or remodel for years.

Today, she gets involved in the detail work, overseeing day-to-day activities at job sites as well as the office. She works with the team to manage schedules, ensure proper record keeping, review budgets, and handle change orders, and makes sure everything is coordinated in and out of the office. Lindsay also wears a marketing hat at times, doing market research and managing the website.

Her favorite part of the job is seeing it all come together.

“It takes a lot of people, start to finish, to get a project done,” she says. “Seeing the ending stages where you can see the cumulative effort of everyone involved is so rewarding.”