News

Cillisha Knights is making waves in the #AECIndustry! As Procon’s Technology Specialist, she was featured in Kahua’s Women in Construction spotlight during Women in Construction Week  AND she recently obtained her PMP certification. Let’s get to know Cillisha.

What did you study in school? How did you end up working in Construction
Management and Construction Tech?

CK: I studied Civil Engineering at the University of Maryland College Park, which sparked my interest in how projects are built and managed. While working for a general contractor using various systems to manage projects, such as e-Builder and Kahua, I became more drawn to streamlining construction processes through technology, which led me into Construction Tech.

Tell us about the projects you support at Procon and how you work with our software partners like ProjectTeam, e-Builder, and Kahua.

CK: While at Procon, I’ve conducted company ISO 9001 and 14001 audits and training in 2020 and 2021 and support project management information system (PMIS) implementation and training for some of the following groups: Washington County, OR, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Department of General Services (DGS), the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), and the General Services Administration (GSA).

What is your favorite part about working at the intersection of construction and technology?

CK: I enjoy leveraging technology to tackle real operational challenges like improving data flow, enhancing collaboration, and increasing project transparency. It’s rewarding to introduce tools that actually help projects run more efficiently and help project managers make informed decisions.

In addition to an MBA, you also earned your Project Management Professional Certification. What inspired you to take this step? Any advice for others who are interested in earning a PMP?

CK: While my MBA gave me a strong foundation in business and leadership, the PMP offered a more practical hands-on framework for managing projects. I wanted to build on what I’d learned and apply standardized tools and techniques to real projects. If you’re thinking about it, pick a date, stay consistent with your study plan, and go for it. It’s a challenge but definitely worth it!

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not working?

CK: I enjoy hiking, playing soccer, and home improvement projects to keep me learning. My next project is installing wood floors– wish me luck!

Procon welcomes four talented undergrads from VT’s College of Engineering and the Myers-Lawson School of Construction to Team Procon for the summer.

After a jam-packed orientation day full of PPE fittings, an office tour, and a tasty team lunch, Sofia, Morgan, Jonathan, and Deeya, got geared up and ready to hit the field. Each intern will be stationed at an iconic DC project site—from DC Courts and St. Elizabeths to the Lincoln Memorial and Architect of the Capitol. Not too shabby for a summer gig!

We can’t wait to watch them dive into real-world construction management challenges and solutions. Ready to get to know them? We broke the ice with a game of Overrated vs. Underrated to learn more about these future AEC leaders and get their hot takes on industry topics. Click here to meet our summer interns.

Last week, Procon opened the doors of our HQ office in Tysons, VA to welcome valued partners, clients, and team leaders for our annual Spring Open House — made even more special as we kicked off celebrations for our 25th anniversary.

Guests enjoyed delicious bites (thanks to Victoria Cortes), caught up with colleagues and friends, and took advantage of complimentary headshots in our podcast studio. Some of the evening’s highlights included:

— Cocktails and mocktails inspired by Procon projects — like the Basin Blossom, a taste of spring and tribute to our Tidal Basin seawall rehabilitation work with the National Park Service.
— A champagne toast from our co-founders, Mark and Kyu, celebrating 25 years of partnerships, progress, and people.
— A slideshow highlighting favorite memories and milestone projects from the past quarter-century.
— And of course, cupcakes — because turning 25 deserves something sweet!

Thank you to all of our friends, clients, and partners who joined us for a memorable evening. We look forward to continuing the celebration throughout the year at some of our locations across the country! Cheers to 25 more years of innovation and lots of new opportunities to drive the AEC industry forward.

Procon is proud to announce a new IDIQ contract providing construction management services for the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) in Washington, DC.

GPO plays a vital role in publishing official government information—from Congressional records and Federal agency reports to something we all carry to travel abroad: U.S. passports. We’re excited to be part of the modernization of this historic institution, starting with our first construction project (valued at $51M) consisting of office renovations and HVAC improvements.

We’re honored to support GPO’s mission of an informed America, and help improve the spaces where trusted government information is produced and preserved.

The first photo is from the DC building’s original construction in 1902 via GPO’s historic photo collection – https://lnkd.in/emFAw2TQ.

Procon’s Florida Office invited local kindergarten class for a day of learning and play in an effort to promote excitement about construction and exposure to STEM at an early age.

As part of “Get to Know Your Neighborhood” day, the kindergarten class from St. Mark’s Episcopal School in Cocoa, FL took a short field trip to visit their neighbors two blocks away—the team at Procon’s FL office.

The kids got a hands-on intro to construction management, learned about our work with NASA at Kennedy Space Center, and impressed us with their knowledge of tools and materials. After a crash course in PPE, each student geared up with their own helmet, flashlight, and measuring tape, then followed blueprints to build Magnatile structures and even a tiny house! The day wrapped with ice cream, of course, because learning should always be fun.

Early exposure to STEM and construction helps children understand how things are built and how they work—planting the seeds for the next generation of innovators, builders, and engineers.