by Kathryn Milhorn
Buildings are more than just a company’s physical location. They become landmarks—vital to their community for years to come—and a thing of beauty in their own right. But deciding to build can feel overwhelming. Design, cost, materials and regulations shouldn’t be tackled alone. Your project will exceed expectations from start to finish thanks to OAC’s team of building scientists and design and construction management experts.
OAC boasts award-winning Forensic Architecture and Engineering specialists, structural engineers, program and project managers and industry professionals ready to get started on your next project with offices up and down the West Coast. “It boils down to three things: care, collaboration, and fun,” says Mitch Romero, Senior Director of their Olympia location. “OAC not only boasts some of the most skilled and celebrated experts in their fields in the U.S., but we also infuse a dynamic client experience into every project we take on.”
Add this to their renowned expertise, cutting-edge technology and more than 60 years of experience, and it makes for a powerful ally.
“At the end of the day,” says Romero, “it is one thing to manage a project or identify risk; it is another to help a client with every step of the build process. We deliver buildings that make a community proud and bring peace of mind to those responsible for outcomes. We do this through a hunger to learn the best methods and apply them to our firm’s overall expectations.”
The motto that better is always possible isn’t just a catchphrase. “This philosophy reflects everything at OAC—it’s our culture, it’s our genes and it’s the reason we love what we do in the service to those who love what they do,” says Romero. “We care, we deliver and we want to be better. We pursue the best option, not just once, but every time for every outcome.”
OAC’s Olympia office opened in 2017, but they have been a presence in and around Thurston County for decades. Most notably, they acted as construction managers of the Olympia City Hall project. And having strong local ties is essential.
“We have a dedicated team here that brings a full scope of services within our design and construction management services, with direct access to our building sciences team in Seattle, bringing a unique offering to all of Thurston County,” Romero explains. “The beauty of having smaller offices throughout the region is that we are close by for our clients, and our staff lives in the communities that we serve.”
Since the arrival of COVID-19, Romero admits many new projects were put on hold. But for existing clients, the switch to a close-to-home model meant “productivity increased on contracts we had in place due to the limitations on travel and our company supporting our staff in adjusting to remote work. Right now, we see a tremendous increase in projects starting up again as optimism improves and the horizon for folks getting the vaccine shortens.”
Romero grew up in Spokane and has been in the construction industry for thirty years, six with OAC. A licensed Architect and Certified Construction Manager, he has studied industrial design and architectural studies, eventually finishing with a Master of Architecture program, coupled with a Master of Science in Construction Management program. After working in and around Western Washington, he joined the U.S. Department of State, working on Embassy projects in Brazil, Afghanistan, Belgium and the Africa Bureau.
“My role at OAC has been to lead projects for agencies and owners,” he explains. “I enjoy it as I get to have a hand in all phases of a project and participate in their success within the wider context of the community. I’ve been fortunate enough to be given a leadership role here in Olympia and have firsthand experience of why this community is where OAC put down roots.
“I am excited about future projects, especially in the education, healthcare and public sectors, that will allow our team to positively impact the community we all appreciate and care about. Overall, I am fully confident that this community and the regional community is going to come roaring back, and we’re excited to be here to help.”
When your business is ready to become a landmark in the community, reach out to OAC. “Make better” happen for your employees, customers, friends and neighbors. Visit www.oacsvcs.com for more about their approach and information about noteworthy buildings in our area.
