2022 40 Under Forty Awards
Jean-Paul Vandeputte, 36
Director of engineering, RISE Engineering
How has COVID-19 changed your industry? It’s taught us all to be flexible and adaptable. We’ve applied engineering principles and theories utilized for saving energy to ensuring safety.
What is the best advice you have ever received? Live each day like it’s the first day of your life.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I’m a true Rhode Islander. I’ll still be supporting my fellow engineers and staff at RISE.
What was your first job? Camp counselor for a town recreation department. I’ve always enjoyed working with people and teaching them new things.
What advice would you give your 22-year-old self? Don’t stop learning or pushing yourself. Life continues to teach and provide new opportunities for us every day. Capitalize on those lessons and grow.
What moment changed your life more than any other? The birth of my daughter. She keeps me on my toes!
What is your favorite Rhode Island food or drink? Saugy hot dogs and stuffies!
Fox or MSNBC? BBC.
What led you to pursuing a career in your current industry? Coming from a family of engineers, I have always known that I would pursue a career in that field. I enjoy solving problems, helping people and building resilience for the future. nthe prop Jean-Paul Vandeputte holds a 1970 Ferrari 512 M Lego toy car. “I’m a kid at heart, love to use my hands and passionate about racing,” he says.
