2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Michael Hudner, Avail Project Management

“Mike has been a huge part of our company’s success. His dedication and work ethic set the tone for project teams. Mike does a great job communicating and keeping everyone aligned to meet our clients’ goals and objectives. He leads with confidence, delivers on his promises, and consistently drives value across every project he’s involved in.”

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of? In 2024, we completed the new facility for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank in Lowell. The MVFB was in a much smaller space, and we worked with AHP Architects and Avid Engineers to help design their new home. MVFB is one of four food banks in Massachusetts, and they provide food for pantries and shelters that ultimately serve thousands of people in need. I am proud to have been part of this project, knowing that we served as a valuable asset to the MVFB in creating a home that made them much more efficient in serving people in need.

Who has been a mentor or influential figure in your career, and what is the most valuable advice they have shared with you? Mike Bogdan, president & CEO of Avail, has been a great mentor for me in my career. From my first day, Mike emphasized the importance of being a “sponge” in the office. He had me sit in on every meeting possible to allow exposure to various projects, challenges, and solutions so I could take in that information and learn from it. I have taken this advice to other project meetings and job sites where I learn something new every day in this fast-paced, ever-evolving industry. Mike’s open-door office environment has created a collaborative setting where we all enjoy coming to work every day.