In this eNews edition, we are getting to better know Veronica Garcia-McGrew with R.E.Y. Engineers!
Originally from Los Angeles, Veronica's family moved to Placerville when she was 9 years old. She moved to Sacramento for college and for the first few years of her professional career. After she got married, she and her husband moved to Folsom and and have been in Folsom ever since.
Veronica went to Sac State (CSUS) and graduated with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. She started her career with internships. She was a student intern at DWR while in college. She then interned at Morton & Pitalo working on land development projects. She later got hired on there after college. Now she is an Associate Engineer at R.E.Y. Engineers working on various public works infrastructure projects. Such projects include underground utility replacements (sewer, water, storm drain) as well as topside, roadway, road rehab and bike/ped projects. To be more specific, some of these topside projects include road widenings, pavement rehabilitation, ADA improvements, sidewalk gap closures, and bike lane design.
Veronica became interested in the transportation field because every project is a unique opportunity to problem-solve. Also, she appreciates that the projects she work on are designed to improve the quality of life for people of all abilities in our surrounding communities. It’s so rewarding to work on projects that are well received by the public and to see these facilities be used every day.
Thanks to a fellow co-worker, Carlye Buchholz, Veronica became engaged in WTS. She started attending the lunch programs and the various networking events. Now she is one of our newest board members serving as co-chair for the Scholarships Committee. Veronica says she is continually impressed with how well the organization is run and the great job of our chapter leaders, so she's excited to join them on the Board. WTS Sacramento is a great chapter and puts on informative, engaging and entertaining events to bring the transportation community in Sacramento together (shout out to the WTS Fashion Show!). These events are not only a great opportunity for networking, but also an opportunity to come together and exchange ideas across the different disciplines in transportation. She also loves that WTS Sacramento and International have helped so many young women advance their studies and careers in transportation by means of the various scholarships awarded over the years.
Veronica is married and has a 6 year old daughter and 2 dogs. When not working, she enjoys cooking and is particularly excited that grilling season is here. She also likes crime dramas on Netflix, reading, working out and hanging out with friends and family. She has a big family that she can’t wait to hang out with after the pandemic is over! She also had to cancel a previously planned trip to Disneyland last May, so she's looking forward to making it up to her daughter this year, but she says, "who am I kidding, I’m itching to go too!"
Thank you Veronica for your dedication to WTS Sacramento!