Engineer Your Success

Join host Dr. James Bryant as he interviews Aaron Shavel, a seasoned civil engineer with a decade of experience in New York City's transit construction sector. Discover how Aaron navigated his path from field engineer to managing multimillion-dollar MTA projects, and explore his insights on leadership transitions, preventing burnout, and finding work-life balance in the demanding construction industry. Aaron shares valuable wisdom on team building and his "train your replacement" philosophy while discussing his current pivot toward infrastructure policy work.

00:00 - Introduction and Aaron's background

03:00 - Career transition to infrastructure policy work

05:36 - The realities of working in general contracting

07:00 - Managing burnout and work-life balance

08:10 - Leadership transition challenges 

10:46 - Effective leadership strategies and team building

13:26 - The "train your replacement" mentality

15:06 - Future career planning and reflection

18:28 - Role reversal Q&A with Dr. Bryant

21:09 - Final thoughts and closing remarks

Aaron Shavel is a New York City-based civil engineer specializing in rail and transit construction. With extensive experience managing complex projects for the MTA and Long Island Railroad, Aaron has recently joined the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure to help shape nationwide infrastructure policy.

Engineer Your Success is the podcast for technical professionals who want to grow as leaders, build meaningful careers, and live fulfilled—at work and at home. Hosted by Dr. James Bryant, the show blends practical strategies and real-life stories to help you lead with intention, whether you're advancing in your role, managing a team, or growing a business. With insights drawn from industry, government, and national organizations, each episode equips you with tools to thrive professionally without losing sight of what matters most.

Grab Your Copy of the Engineer's Blueprint for Success Here: https://www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/engineers-blueprint/

In this episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, host Dr. James Bryant welcomes Johnathan Meade, the CEO of Meade Engineering. Johnathan shares his intriguing journey from working as an electrical drafter in his family business, to venturing into the financial world with Charles Schwab, and eventually returning to helm Meade Engineering. He discusses key decisions in his career, the motivation behind those decisions, and the challenges of navigating growth within the engineering space. Jonathan candidly opens up about the responsibility and accountability that come with leadership roles and shares a valuable lesson learned from a major mistake. He also emphasizes the importance of strategic foresight and empowering teams to manage challenges effectively. For those interested in how personal growth, family legacy, and business strategies intertwine in the engineering industry, this episode is a must-listen!

00:00 Introduction to Engineer Your Success

01:14 Early Career and Education 04:05 Journey at Charles Schwab

11:58 Return to Meade Engineering

15:51 Strategic Growth and Leadership

19:04 Navigating Challenges and Future Planning

24:29 Lessons from Mistakes

27:16 Preparing for the Next Level

31:06 Vision for the Future

38:19 Personal Journey and Motivation

43:14 Insights on Success

Arizona native Johnathan Meade, MBA, CEO of Phoenix-based Meade Engineering, carries extensive corporate finance, strategy development, digital product management and early set, hands-on industry experience under his father, Meade Engineering's original owner. Initially drawn to economics at Arizona State University, he redirected his educational path to business and finance. Johnathan then achieved his MBA at Pepperdine and began his journey through the corporate realm. Johnathan honed his financial expertise during a tenure at Charles Schwab, where he played a pivotal role in an internal team of consultants advising on Charles Schwab's strategic initiatives. His leadership and strategic prowess earned him recognition as an innovator within the company. In 2022, Johnathan Meade decided to return to his roots at Meade Engineering. Since then, he has assembled a team of highly-experienced professionals dedicated to crafting cutting-edge designs for electrical infrastructure. These innovations provide critical electricity solutions to mission-critical facilities nationwide, solidifying Johnathan's position as a leader in the field.

Guest Links: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnathanmeade/

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Grab Your Copy of the Engineer's Blueprint for Success Here: https://www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/engineers-blueprint/

 You have the strength of a hero within you. Check out my website, www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com, and learn how to unlock your potential and achieve success both in business and in life.