Five Questions With: Eric Prive

Eric Prive, a senior project manager at DiPrete Engineering, leads a team at the company and was recently promoted from the position of project engineer. He was chosen for the promotion because of exceptional skills in dealing with difficult designs, regulatory agencies, boards and the public, according to a company statement. He responded recently to questions posed by the Providence Business News.

PBN: You joined DiPrete when you were a student at the University of Rhode Island. Was this an internship that turned into a job? How did that happen?

PRIVE: Yes, I began designing septic systems during the summer between my junior and senior year. I remember it clearly, as I was in the basement of Bliss Hall at URI and a classmate who worked for DiPrete Engineering asked me if I was looking for a summer internship. Having no prior professional experience, I jumped at the opportunity to add to my resume and build more career-related knowledge. The internship gave me a great background into site grading, utility design, drainage concepts and most importantly, working with clients to tailor the design to their goals. I really enjoyed what I was doing and was offered a full-time position upon my graduation.

 

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PBN: What interested you in an engineering career?

PRIVE: I really enjoy problem-solving and developing creative solutions. Specifically, in civil engineering I recognized that land-development projects and new construction were inevitable, and I wanted to be a part of making sure they were designed in an environmentally responsible way. I really enjoy the creativity that land-development projects allow, as every project is different depending on the developer’s vision and the natural obstacles with the land. The creativity aspect of projects is what keeps me motivated and engaged daily.

PBN: Neighborhood opposition to a project can be a tricky problem. You represent a client but need to be responsive to neighbors. How do you handle that?

PRIVE: Prior to a meeting, I will typically try to prethink what my concerns would be to the development if I were the neighbor. By putting myself in their shoes, I’m able to have a better sense of what aspects of the project may be concerning. Communicating the potential concerns to the client in advance helps with being adaptable to neighbor requests at the meeting. It’s not uncommon that small adjustments to the design can make everyone happy. We’re fortunate to have great clients that care about being good neighbors and truly want a development that everyone can be proud of.

PBN: Tell us about some of the projects you’re working on. South County Commons in South Kingstown, what’s new there? And what is Forbes Crossing in Foxborough, Mass.?

PRIVE: South County Commons is a multiuse development consisting of residential units integrated into retail and restaurant sites. We’re currently working on the development of District 5, which includes a hotel and the future potential for complimentary restaurant uses. The project is exciting, as the compressed construction schedule requires quick responses and collaboration with neighbors and state and town regulators. The town was terrific to work with, as they provided timely valuable feedback, which improved the overall project. The project is a great example of how developers and towns can collaborate to make a development that everyone feels good about.

Forbes Crossing is a project that I’m proud to be associated with. It’s a commercial redevelopment project that includes a new hotel, restaurants and retail pad sites. Our client is a sophisticated developer that recognized the need to restore a previously tired strip mall with some new energy. I enjoy when we get an opportunity to restore existing properties and work with the town to create a new liveliness to the area.

PBN: What kinds of projects do you most enjoy working on?

PRIVE: I really enjoy working on a variety of projects, including both residential and commercial developments. The variety is what keeps the daily interactions fresh and keeps me engaged. I enjoy working with clients that have a great vision of what they want and recognize the value that our expertise can contribute. While my primary function is to ensure that the engineering is sound, I enjoy contributing to all aspects of the development that add value and enhance the finished product.

Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.