Builders at Heart: Don Ramsey

This article is part of our series Builders at Heart, where we highlight the passions and backgrounds of the Clark team – the things that shape us – that allow us to tackle challenges head-on, solve complex problems, and build what matters.

Don Ramsey is a senior field engineer II and constructibility reviewer with Clark Construction working on the Dominion Square project in Tysons, Virginia. Learn more about Don's 54-year career with Clark and his love for engineering.

Tell us about your background. 
I grew up in Washington, DC. During the summer months and in high school, I worked as a rodman for a land surveyor. After graduating, I briefly worked as a laborer with a friend's father. Through that connection, I met Dick Caruso, the lead superintendent on the West L'Enfant Plaza project with the George Hyman Construction Company (now Clark), who hired me. Since 1970, I’ve worked in many different roles on approximately 50 projects – some for a short time, others spanning several years.

What led you to pursue a career in the construction industry? Did any early experiences influence your career path?
My father told me, “If you can't draw it, you probably can't build it.” That advice, combined with my love for math, influenced my decision to join the industry. Early in my career, a colleague taught me to visualize what the drawings conveyed – an invaluable lesson I’ve carried throughout my career.

“I fell in love with the building industry on my first job, and I love what I do, so why stop?”

Don Ramsey, Senior Field Engineer II and Constructability Reviewer, Clark Construction 

What are you most proud of, either personally or professionally?
I'm incredibly proud of my 54 years with Clark, raising a family of four children, and my volunteer work. I currently serve as a volunteer project leader for the C&O Canal Trust and participate in the Prince George's County Christmas in April Program as a home previewer, house captain, and fundraiser. I was also involved with the DC Building Industry Association (DCBIA) for about 10 years.

What do you like most about working at Clark?
I enjoy the challenges, especially those that come with drawing reviews. I also enjoy working alongside talented Clark teammates and leaders. Some of my fondest memories are from company picnics, which grew from roughly 60 employees when I first started to more than 1,000 employees in later years.

What are your favorite projects you’ve worked on at Clark?
It’s hard to pick just one! My first job at West L'Enfant Plaza, where I fell in love with construction, will always be special. The James Madison Memorial Building of the Library of Congress, Robert Trent Jones Clubhouse, FBI Washington Metropolitan Field Office, National Institute of Standards and Technology Laboratory, US Institute of Peace, and ECB2 at Fort Meade all tie for first place, with a number of others coming in at a close second.

Image