E & A Consulting Group, Inc. is a full-service engineering firm with ten elements to their core competency: Planning, Land Development, Civil Site, Transportation, Structural, Surveying, Environmental Services, Construction Management, Landscape Design, and SID Management.  Jeffrey Kopocis, P.E. is a Civil Engineering & Renewable Energy Project Manager for E & A Consulting Group, Inc.

Tell us a little about your business. – E & A Consulting Group, Inc. began in 1966 as an Omaha-based Civil Engineering and Land Surveying firm.  We currently have 80 employees between our Omaha location and branch offices in Lincoln and Phoenix. The majority of our business is land planning and related development engineering services for residential, commercial and mixed use.  E&A also provides surveying, environmental, sewer, water, roadway, and bridge design for cities, counties and state clients. Our employees work in teams to carry a project from concept to concrete!

How did you get started in the business? – As a child I was intrigued by construction and what went into building things, so when deciding to attend college, civil engineering was at the top of the list. Ever since, I’ve been a part of a variety of projects including new commercial and residential developments, roadways, airports, neighborhood rehabilitations, and renewable energy projects for wind and solar throughout the country.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Obtaining my professional engineering license in 2003.  I’m currently licensed in Nebraska and Iowa, and am also currently working on obtaining licensure in other states as required by our client’s projects.

Tell me a little about your family. – I’ve known my wife Kim for 20 years and we have been married for 14.  We have four children; a 10 year boy, 8 and 6 year old girls, and a 4 year old boy.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Meeting my wife while working with her mom.  My wife would come by the store with her mom and we would talk.  It turned out we had a lot in common.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Spending time with family going to area attractions, working around the house, completing home improvement projects, and attending classic car shows.

What are you the most proud of? – My wife and children.  Kim is always putting others before herself.  I enjoy watching my children develop and grow every day.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – From my grandpa: “If you are going to do something, do it right the first time.”

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Helpful.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – X-Ray vision.  This would provide the ability to see what is below or behind things, helping in design to avoid conflicts during construction…a great resource for my job!

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Working with my hands to build or fix things. Over the years I’ve completed numerous home improvement projects at home as well as for family and friends.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Restoration of classic vehicles.

What is your favorite TV show? – Overhaulin’.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – The Greek Islands.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Warren Buffett.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – At (402) 895-4700, via email at jkopocis@eacg.com, or visit www.eacg.com.