Meet Patrick Finigan, environmental project manager at Burns & McDonnell (burnsmcd.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Burns & McDonnell is a multifaceted organization that delivers client solutions in a timely and efficient manner. Burns & McDonnell professionals work collaboratively to make our clients successful. Our Omaha office has professionals that work in all market sectors, from Aviation to Wastewater. We have 12,000+ employee owners willing to assist clients.
How did you get started in the business? – In my sophomore year of high school, I read an article about the current state of the environment. It was my call to action to take steps to help protect and rehabilitate the environment for generations in the future.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge in my professional career is the everchanging regulations and the effects politicians and advocates have on regulations.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – The most important achievement in my career is to see the effects of my work on the environments.
Tell us a little about your family. – I am a father of three, one freshman in high school, one seventh grader, and one fourth grader. I am married to my beautiful wife who works for the State of Nebraska. We live in Bennington. Our daily routine consists of taking our kids to different extracurricular activities.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The biggest turning point in my life was the day my children were born.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Being around my family watching my children play sport or hunting with my children.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I have done some type of environmental work in 44 of the 50 states.
Who inspires you? – My family inspires me. They push me to improve myself every day.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Passionate.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – My ability to communicate in a manner that my team and my client understand. I would also add that I have a questioning thought process that helps look at project in a way to ensure that everything is accounted for and is in complete compliance.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Keep Nebraska Beautiful and Keep Omaha Beautiful. These organizations align with my drive and beliefs to help the environment through education and action.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Origin by Dan Brown.
What is your favorite movie? – Smokey and the Bandit.
What is your favorite TV show? – Yellowstone.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Drover.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Abraham Lincoln or Teddy Roosevelt.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 281-3022; pjfinigan@burnsmcd.com; burnsmcd.com.