Name: Deborah Marai

Title: Project Director

Company: Pinck & Co., Inc.

Years in the A/E/C Industry: 26 years

What associations or organizations are you a member of? Worcester Chamber of Commerce  

Why the A/E/C Industry? I wanted to pursue a career in which I could use both my creative and practical skills. After working as an architect for 18 years, I started learning more about the role of OPMs and about architects who were combining their experience with project management.  I realized the role would be a natural fit for my practical side, while still rooted in an industry that relies on many forms of creativity. I connected with someone from my college alma mater several years ago who was working for Pinck & Co., and she referred me for a project manager position. It was a great career move.   

Advice/Keys to Success: Honesty, hard work, and collaboration.

What was your most notable project in 2017? Breaking ground on the expansion and renovation of Antiquarian Hall for the American Antiquarian Society, which houses the largest and most accessible collection of books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, periodicals, music, and graphic arts material printed in the Americas through 1876.  The renovation and addition will result in a beautiful, state-of-the-art conservation studio to service the more than four million items in the collection. What’s especially challenging about this project is completely overhauling their HVAC system in a building that’s more than 100 years old.