Honoring Our Veterans

Raymond Washington, East region quality control manager, reflects on leading a team during live combat in the U.S. Army and his transition to the civilian workforce.

Matt Cook, federal water market sector director, shares how his U.S. Navy service aboard a nuclear submarine shapes his attention to detail and leading teams.

Brian Taylor served in the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 1988. During this time, he worked on a ship that supplied the fleet during deployments in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. He was  tasked with the operation, preventive maintenance and repair of large hydraulic wenches, elevators, conveyors and forklifts that were utilized during supply transfer of goods from one ship to another. He was honorably discharged as a machinist mate third class and attended college while working the night shift, before eventually going full time.  Brian graduated with a civil engineering degree in 1996 and started his first engineering job with a company that designed structures and foundations for roller coasters and park rides for major companies around the U.S.  In 2001, he was hired by HDR and now serves as an area quality manager for our building engineering services practice in San Antonio, Texas. 

Paul Derr served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, working on jet engines for B-52s, F-15s, and F-16s. After retiring, he went to Boise State University and earned his degree in civil engineering. He then spent 3-1/2 years as a civilian employee for the Air Force in the 366 Civil Engineer Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Continuing to support the military and its missions is important to Paul, and he continues to do that working as a project manager who supports numerous federal clients, including the Air Force, Navy and National Guard Bureau. 

Pete Fanno served in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submarine officer. When he got out of the Navy, he wanted to move to the Sacramento area and work in a field that allows him to apply his engineering experience. Today, Pete manages federal projects design projects for HDR, and his clients have included the U.S. Air Force, National Park Service and Air National Guard. One of his favorite things about the job is that he gets to work with experts in various engineering disciplines to create something that benefits the nation and communities.