U.S. General Services Administration
Tammy Quinn helps construction industry take new form
Tammy Quinn
Senior Project Manager
Design and Construction Capital Program
16 years working at GSA
Senior Project Manager Tammy Quinn has managed large construction projects for the General Services Administration for 16 years and we’re learning how things have changed during this time and the impact her career and profession has had on both her professional and personal life.
“I kind of fell into the role, but at the same time I wouldn’t change it for anything,” reflects Quinn. After studying landscape design and construction at Colorado State University and working at a commercial landscape company and civil engineering company, Quinn moved to Canada to raise a family. Just a year later, she returned to the United States and joined the federal workforce.
She’s part of this leadership trend, currently serving a four-month detail as the GSA Region 8 Capital Program Supervisor, a position Quinn attributes to strong leadership support.” Over time Quinn’s projects have become far more complex. “I just get bigger, better and harder projects,” jokes Quinn. Her tip for managing complex projects is simplicity. “I try to keep in mind the big picture, yet don’t let it overwhelm me. It’s about breaking things down. What’s a priority and what’s not a priority. There are certain things that have to be done right away and some that can wait. That is the key to project management,” adds Quinn. Quinn’s current and favorite project is the DFC Building 53 renovation project which happens to be her most complex project yet.
Like most projects this one wasn’t without obstacles. At the beginning of the project the architect’s design came back $20M over budget. Quinn responded quickly and changed the delivery method to design-build and hired the architect and contractor at the same time in order to avoid the project from being behind schedule.
“This is a great story about taking a big risk and it working out. I feel good about this project because of everything we’ve gone through,” stated Quinn. “We have an amazing GSA team, contractor and architect and we’ve all worked so well together. It’s been fun!”
Quinn says the most rewarding part of her job is not only completing long capital projects, which can take seven years, but also getting a tenant agency to change their opinion about the project and GSA. “I remember this one tenant agency I worked with; they didn’t want to do the project and even hated the idea of talking about it. I worked hard to get them engaged and at the end they praised the project and the work I had done, it makes it so much fun and rewarding,” recalls Quinn.
Quinn’s lasting impression stretches beyond professional parameters. After seeing her mom manage construction projects, Quinn’s daughter is now studying architecture at Colorado University. “I brought her to Bring Your Child to Work Day for 10 years and she has a passion for historic buildings now and wants to focus on historic architecture,” said Quinn.
She’s excited that more women, like her daughter, are considering a career in construction and encourages women who are interested in the construction industry. “Women bring a different perspective. If there’s a different perspective, it usually makes projects better,” claims Quinn. “Just do it! There are more and more people joining the industry. Don’t be nervous, there are a lot of people available to help you.”