In this article (and video above), I talk with Steven Hollabaugh, P.E., CFM, the CEO/President at Native Strategies, LLC, about the importance of a PE License and how it empowers individuals to pursue their career goals independently.
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Steven:
- How did you decide to pursue your PE license in the context of founding a firm to help tribal nations with infrastructure needs?
- Do you think having a professional license enables individuals to pursue their career goals independently, rather than relying on others who are licensed to assist them?
- As your company continues to expand, are you now able to pursue licensing in other states to further grow your firm’s reach and operations?
- What special items do you have on your desk?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode:
- Steven pursued his Professional Engineering license to ensure high-quality engineering services for tribal infrastructure projects through his firm. This decision was motivated by a commitment to use technical expertise responsibly for the benefit of tribal communities.
- Having a PE license empowers individuals to pursue their career goals independently, eliminating the need to rely on others who are licensed to assist them. This credential opens doors for personal growth and autonomy in one’s professional pursuits.
- As Native Strategies, LLC expands, they have obtained licenses in over a dozen states and have employees licensed in over 30 states, allowing them to grow their operations into new regions and pursue diverse projects effectively.
- On Steven’s desk, he keeps his professional engineering seal and a Navajo tomahawk gifted by the Navajo Nation, blending his professional expertise with personal passions to inspire pursuing diverse career opportunities aligned with individual aspirations.
About: Steven Hollabaugh, P.E., CFM
Steven is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and has 16+ years of experience in designing and managing a wide variety of civil infrastructure projects. Spending 12 years in the industry, Steven recognized a critical need for engineering and design professionals to complete and deliver in tribal communities for both the federal and private sectors.
Steven started Native Strategies in April 2020. In just under four years, Steven has procured contracts nationwide and grown Native Strategies from himself and a laptop to over 27 industry professionals. Native Strategies is a fully virtual firm with team members all across the United States. As a fully virtual firm, Native Strategies can recruit, mobilize, and perform on projects and contracts all across the country.
Headquartered in Broken Arrow, Native Strategies is already working with 12+ tribal nations local to Oklahoma and 300+ tribal nations from the east to west coast across the United States providing infrastructure & environmental improvements, master planning, construction management, and tribal liaison services.
Steven started Native Strategies to increase the standard of living nationally and internationally, by managing, designing, and constructing with humility, skill, and perseverance.
Sources:
Native Strategies, LLC
Navajo Nation
Connect with Steven Hollabaugh, P.E., CFM, on LinkedIn
This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI
PPI
has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI’s wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, and digital study tools to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam here.
I hope you found this article helpful. In upcoming articles, I will solve some more PE exam practice problems and answer other questions from our subscribers. Pass the PE Exam videos will publish weekly, so be sure to click the subscribe button so you don’t miss something that could make a substantial difference in your exam result.
Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of this video, or on this page and I’ll read and respond to them in future videos. So, if there’s a specific topic you want me to cover or answer, we have you covered.
I’ll see you next week… on Pass the PE Exam
Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
