5 Questions with Brenda Morales, PE

We sat down with  Civil Project Engineer Brenda Morales to learn what drives her work in HVJ’s Civil Department, where she specializes in traffic control and work zone safety.

1. How did you get  started in this field, and what inspires you most in your work? 
After graduating from high school, I first studied computer science. While programming seemed exciting, I quickly grew bored and realized it was not a good fit for me. My first job was at the EPA, where I worked alongside civil engineers in the NPDES enforcement program. I monitored water violations reported by facilities and analyzed regional data in Excel. Observing engineers inspecting wastewater treatment plants and lagoons sparked my interest in how civil engineering affects the environment and the public. I decided to change my career focus and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado. After graduation, I worked as a civil engineer, inspecting wastewater treatment plants and lagoons. It was an interesting experience, but I decided it wasn't a long-term career option for me after some quite memorable encounters with ticks while inspecting lagoons in South Dakota!
 
I then worked for 11 years at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) as a construction engineer. I appreciated the variety of work, from design to project oversight to community meetings and presentations.  I continued my transportation career for 6 years with the Texas Department of Transportation ( TxDOT). Through these experiences, I have discovered that transportation engineering is my true passion. Although no design is ever “perfect,” it is inspiring to help people stay safe while traveling on today’s roadways. 

2.   What is your role at HVJ, and what do you consider essential for success in this role?    
My current role at HVJ is Project Engineer in the Civil Department, with a primary focus on traffic control. My goal is always to keep motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians as safe as possible as they travel through construction and work zones.

My supervisor has been very supportive, providing materials and guidance for projects as needed. Her mentorship has had a significant impact on how I approach every traffic control plan and project.

3.    Could you briefly describe one of your recent projects and what you found to be the most interesting or rewarding? 
 When I was assigned the task of reviewing the South Lamar Corridor traffic control project, I first found the complexity overwhelming.  However, our team put tremendous effort into detailed planning. Step by step, we brought the project through each phase of construction. The project is now near completion, and it has been rewarding to see it come to life. 

4.    HVJ places a high priority on continuous learning, personal growth, and mentorship. How have these values contributed to your development of leadership skills necessary for your daily work or complex projects?
The management and administration of HVJ are individuals I truly admire and respect. The mentorship my supervisor provides has allowed me to take pride in every task I perform. In every project I have been assigned, I learn something new. Whether it is the initial layout of a traffic control plan or the final review of a project, every task has helped improve my leadership skills for subsequent projects assigned.

5.    Which other disciplines do you frequently collaborate with on projects? What do you consider most essential for successful collaboration? 
I have most often collaborated with the geotechnical team. Understanding the areas where geotechnical bore work will be conducted and the equipment they will use is crucial for developing the traffic control plan and sequencing.

Meeting with the staff 1:1 to plan before starting the design process has been extremely beneficial. Sometimes traffic control plans seem to work in theory, but by reviewing all the pieces and talking with each team involved, you can identify gaps or barriers to the plan.  That's why I would say that preliminary communication is one of the most essential requirements of success.