“Jacob has progressed in his career path faster than any engineer in my 39 years in the business. Starting with a short stint in the field performing surveying, Jake took to each and every task gaining skills and applying sound logic and common sense beyond his years. He has quickly become an integral player in the management of the engineering side of the business. His creativity in problem solving complex designs sets him apart from his peers.” - Joseph Peznola, P.E., VP, Associate & Director of Engineering at Hancock Associates.

What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? Becoming an associate at Hancock Associates is the professional milestone that I’m most proud of as it reflects years of dedication, commitment and continuous personal growth. From managing projects with clients to mentoring staff and improving operations, I’ve always aimed to deliver results and support our team. This role offers me a chance to shape the company’s future by supporting our employees, advocating for a positive company culture and contributing meaningfully to the communities we serve.

If you could give advice to someone just starting out in your field, what would it be? If I could give one piece of advice to someone starting out, it’s this: talk to as many professionals as you can – surveyors, architects, wetland scientists, and contractors. You’ll learn a lot from different perspectives. Early on, I focused only on my own tasks, but over time I saw the value in understanding how others work. A quick conversation with a wetland scientist might change your site layout, or a surveyor might flag issues you’d never catch on paper. These real- world insights build trust, improve your projects, and help you grow into a great engineer.