The growth and success of a company is usually measured by the number of employees, amount of revenue, and number of offices. Although SCJ Alliance is trending upward in all of these areas, ‘employee opportunity’ is also a key success indicator at SCJ.
“Encouraging opportunities for personal growth is a core value for our firm,” shares SCJ President Perry Shea. “That’s why it’s especially gratifying to announce that Brandon Johnson and Scott Sawyer have joined our leadership team as associate principals. Both men have helped build our firm’s base and done an extraordinary job building their teams and the company.”
Brandon and Scott, both engineers, are division managers for Civil Engineering and Transportation Engineering, respectively. “Brandon and Scott have earned this opportunity,” said Perry. “Their strong work ethic, commitment to excellence and exceptional leadership skills have served our clients well.”
In 2008 when Brandon joined the firm, then called Shea Carr Jewell, he wanted to work for a company that could offer leadership opportunities.
“SCJ said they’d work with me to lay out the path to being a principal, and they certainly have,” reflects Brandon, who was only 25 years old at the time. He especially loves the creation part of his job, saying, “Taking bare or developed land and creating economic growth and jobs is very rewarding.”
Scott, who joined the firm in 2009, brought nearly two decades of experience in project management and delivery, team leadership, and design. SCJ was looking for a senior person to leverage and advance the transportation division.
“We needed someone to run the team and build the practice,” said Perry.
Scott brought experience from many of the region’s most significant and complex public transportation projects.
“Scott has a unique talent to understand and adapt the scalability of project elements to small and mid-sized communities,” said Perry.
The communities of Bonney Lake, Port Townsend, Wilkeson and Woodland have all benefited from Scott’s skills and leadership while at SCJ.
“Scott’s hard work expanded our footprint in the public sector and has cemented transportation as one of SCJ’s signature practice areas,” said Perry.
Scott, with a natural strength for strategic leadership, thrives with simultaneous tasks all needing attention at the same time.
“I love the problem solving, responsibility, working with clients, and mentoring,” he said. “I love working at SCJ because of the people. It is a very positive, supportive, fun atmosphere with tons of creative energy and passion.”
Perry provides insight to the company’s culture by saying, “Everyone at SCJ is encouraged to find interesting projects and clients that present growth opportunities.”
Brandon remembers recognizing the potential in 2008. “SCJ had a strong base, but not in land development. I saw a huge opportunity to mold and grow that division and a team,” said Brandon.
“I thrive on responsibility,” he added.
“The personal characteristics Brandon brought to his position, as well as his skill at mentoring others, has propelled him to managing one of the most successful divisions at SCJ,”Perry said.
A significant client for Brandon is WinCo Foods, which is quickly approaching 100 stores across the western United States. SCJ provides WinCo with a wide variety of civil engineering services including site design and permitting, transportation design and construction administration.
Outside of work, many of the same activities keep Brandon and Scott busy….attending and coaching their kids’ activities, bowling, golfing and being a passionate Seahawks fan. Scott also finds time for bicycling and rowing, while Brandon’s trying out his leadership skills on the family’s four-month-old golden retriever.
