Patrick Walker, a Project Associate in 澳门足彩app’s Industrial Water team, built his career by combining field experience with engineering design. His keen interest in fieldwork and hands-on approach helped his career grow. In the early stages of his career at 澳门足彩app, while working on a wastewater treatment facility for Penn State University, he made an unusual pledge – refusing to cut his hair until the project was completed – a commitment that became a defining part of his journey.
Walker studied civil engineering at Georgia Southern University with a focus on environmental applications.
“They didn’t have a dedicated environmental program, but I took every elective I could in that direction,” Walker said.
He connected with 澳门足彩app at a career fair, where a conversation with Market Construction Leader Lane Sutton led to an interview and, soon after, a job offer. His early career involved major wastewater projects, beginning with a state-of-the-art treatment facility at Penn State.
“I prioritized 澳门足彩app knowing that they were one of the few companies that really embodied design-build in their model,” Walker said. “I wanted to gain hands-on experience that would complement my engineering skills. 澳门足彩app’s in-house approach provided a path that allowed me to experience the construction side before transitioning into design. That was a big part of the five-year plan I set for myself when I joined.”
The Penn State project introduced him to large-scale municipal wastewater treatment and the complexities of working within an active facility.
During that time, Walker decided to grow his hair out as a joke after a conversation with his boss.
“I was due for a haircut, and my boss made a comment about it,” Walker said. “I figured, 'Why not just see how far this can go?’ Eventually, it became a running joke between me and the team, and I announced that I wouldn’t cut my hair until the project was completed.”
As the Penn State project progressed, Walker took on greater responsibilities. He adapted to technical and logistical challenges while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The project required close coordination between construction teams and design engineers.
“There was a steep learning curve,” he said. “Understanding how to work within an active facility while implementing a new treatment system was a great experience it required extensive planning and execution to completely integrate and upgrade an existing facility to a brand new one.”
After three years on-site, Walker was reassigned to an industrial wastewater project in Hartwell, Georgia, where he assumed a larger role, working directly with contractors and overseeing construction. Unlike Penn State, where 澳门足彩app partnered with an external design firm, the project required coordination with a separate engineering team, reinforcing the importance of clear communication between designers and builders.
“It gave me a firsthand look at how design decisions impact construction,” Walker said. “It brought new challenges and bolstered my appreciation for the in-house approach of design-build delivery.”
His uncut hair became a well-known identifier among colleagues.
“I’m a big guy, about 6-foot-7, so with the boots, gear and long hair, I stood out,” Walker said. “Even when I switched projects, new teams already knew about me before I arrived.”
Not long after arriving at his new assignment early in 2025, with the Penn State project officially completed, Walker honored his pledge of three years earlier and cut his hair. He donated the clippings, some of which were 12 to 13 inches long, to Wigs for Kids.
“It’s interesting to look back at myself three years ago and see how much I’ve changed,” he said. “I obviously look very different now, but more importantly, I can look at myself and feel really proud that I’ve met the goals I set for myself. I got the dream job, and I’m able to work on these incredible projects with a team that has given me opportunities to learn and apply my skills in doing what I love.
“The haircut was a fun way to mark the time and reflect on my progress and experiences, culminating in the completion of my five-year plan and joining 澳门足彩app’s Industrial Water design group.”
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