Tag Archive for: New Team Member

1. Tell me an interesting fact about yourself.
   • One interesting fact about me would be my first long term job. When I was 16, I took dual enrollment classes at Macomb Community College. I got to know my professor fairly well, she later recommended me to work as a teacher at a homeschool partnership ran by her sister. From the age of 16-20 I worked as a Robotics teacher at a small homeschool partnership in Centerline MI.
2. Why did you go into your profession?
   • I’ve always enjoyed the creative aspect of Engineering. I went into Electrical specifically because the topic of signals and power was what interested me most in engineering.
3. What is your greatest strength?
   • One of my greatest strengths would be assertiveness. I was homeschooled from elementary through high school and what that really taught me was how to evaluate problems and figure out how to solve them on my own. It taught me how to critically analyze material.
4. What is your greatest personal achievement (not related to work)
   • One of my greatest personal achievements was when I was a teacher. I had a student who didn’t have anywhere he felt that he fit. Over the years he spent in my class I helped him develop an interest in creativity and design. His mother told me that taking that class with me is what gave him an interest to pursue in the future.
5. What is your greatest professional achievement? (related to IDS)
   • My greatest personal achievement related to IDS would be my personal gain in experience. Before coming to IDS, I had no idea how the drafting world operated. Now I have a good understanding in electrical drafting and the order of operations. I also understand how collaboration works in combining multiple fields to one project.
6. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
   • Outside of work I enjoy staying active going to parks or the gym. Cooking and baking are also an interest of mine. Additionally, I like to spend time at my family cabin up north doing kayaking and fishing.
7. What motivates you?
   • One of my biggest motivations is to strive to be better than I previously was at the task at hand.
8. What is your number one professional goal?
   • My number one professional goal is to develop experience to every aspect of my job and be able to handle larger responsibilities.

“You are only as free as you think you are, and freedom will always be as real as you believe it to be.” – Robert M. Drake

1. Tell me an interesting fact about yourself.
   • Around the age of 8 I started driving forklifts at my dad’s shop. It began a life long love of driving, mechanics, and exploring.
2. Why did you go into your profession?
   • I always liked trying to figure out how things worked. From a young age I would take things apart and put them back together again to understand them better. That never stopped. When I was in high school I worked co-op in the field and it lead me to where I am today.
3. What is your greatest strength?
   • I like to pride myself on being able to see the big picture when it comes to things. That can be a job at work, a household project or the simplest task.
4. What is your greatest personal achievement (not related to work)
   • My family has always been my #1 achievement. My wife Carolyn and I could not be prouder of our daughters Rosalie (10), Cecilia (7), and son Dominic (4). Knowing they are there at the end of day makes everything worthwhile.
5. What is your greatest professional achievement? (related to IDS)
   • Being apart of the turnaround of Detroit will always hold a special place in my heart. There are two projects on two very different ends of the spectrum but both had the same end result. Namely the Detroit Achievement Academy and Shinola Hotel. Seeing those projects from concepts on paper to their ribbon cutting ceremony was truly the definition of regrowth. It was rewarding to know that I helped breathe life back into the city on a community and national scale.
6. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
   • Most people hate doing work around the house, but I actually love it. Renovation jobs and side projects are fun for me and I find it relaxing.
7. What motivates you?
   • IDS has a very respected reputation in the industry. My motivation is to continue to live up to the gold standard we have set.
8. What is your #1 professional goal?
   • When I first entered the industry, I was mentored by some fantastic leaders that I looked up to, and still do. The ability to learn from your mistakes and passing on what has been successful has immeasurable value. My goal is to do that for the younger staff at IDS.

“I never make a mistake in my life. I thought I did once, but I was wrong.”  – Charles Schulz 

Jack Potterack added his degree in Architecture from Lawrence Tech University after earning a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at MSU. That is not the most remarkable thing about him, though; Jack once was on an airplane with Juliette Lewis. Wonder if he could get us all an autograph?

Seeing design issues and details from all angles and considering every impact that can result from a decision helps Jack become a better architect. He believes the coordination required between the disciplines makes projects successful and appreciates how his colleagues do this as a team. An architect provides advice and designs on built objects, both public and private landscapes. Jack knew he wanted to be creative, but he has grown to enjoy problem-solving; being able to do both of these things helps him grow as an architect.

Not only is Jack a talented architect, but he is a remarkable husband to his beautiful wife; he says marrying her was his highest personal triumph. Being an MSU football fan, Jack was elated to be part of the MSU Skandalaris Center and Player’s Lounge Renovation. It was early in his career and continues to still one of his highlights. Motivated by the rewarding feeling you get when you witness users function in and show appreciation for a space you’ve worked on, is why his passion for architecture grows every day.

When not helping to create and design impressive buildings and landscapes, Jack enjoys going to the movie theaters and watching Jeopardy with his wife. Spending time with family and friends on a deck, by a lake, near a campfire, or even standing around a kitchen late at night, is something he also takes pleasure in.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” – Socrates

Judging from the fact that she jumped out of an airplane, you might think of Randi as a bit of a thrill-seeker. But these days, her passion is helping people with her work. Randi gets the most satisfaction when a client is pleased with the level of care that she puts into her electrical engineering projects. A recent highlight for her was designing the electrical systems for the MSU STEM Teaching Facility and working with its unique mass timber structure. She enjoyed designing the electrical systems but said the challenging part was when construction started while the designs were still being developed. This made her and the design team prioritize and be flexible.

Randi entered the engineering field hoping to help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. She started out by studying renewable energy sources before deciding she might have a greater impact by focusing on improving energy efficiency. One of Randi’s top achievements was passing her Professional Engineering license exam two weeks before her first child was born.

Randi’s professional goal is to ensure that clients know they can always trust IDS with their projects. This holds true whether she is the lead designer or is helping her teammates. In her personal time, Randi loves to take vacations with her family, preferring to use airplanes as transportation instead of jumping out of them.