January 2010
Interview with Mike Looney
Q: Michael, tell us a bit about your background; where did you grow up, go to school?
A: I grew up on Long Island in New York. I am the youngest of six from a fairly typical New York Irish-Catholic family. I spent most of my teenage years working in various delicatessens around Long Island. I earned my A.S. degree at Nassau Community College in Engineering Science, and my B.S.degree at Syracuse University in Civil Engineering. I lived in Brooklyn and worked for Gannett Fleming Engineers in Manhattan for three years before moving to Kansas in 1995 and joining Taliaferro & Browne. My fiancé and I moved to Kansas so she could earn her PhD at the University of Kansas. We are now happily married Midwesterners with two boys, a cat, a dog, and no plans on going back to New York anytime soon.
Q: What turned you on to engineering?
A: I was originally a journalism major. However, being a journalism major in New York is like trying to be an actor in L.A., so I decided I needed a backup plan. I remember sitting in my career counselor's office in high school, and I saw a poster on the wall about engineering. On a whim, I mentioned engineering as a possible career, and my Mom got very excited. So engineering was my backup, and I am very happy that I decided to stick with it. I never expected to have a career in math and science, but I very much enjoy what I am doing today. Once I committed myself, engineering just felt right for me.
Q: What does your career mean to you?
A: I am proud to be an engineer. I mostly enjoy the problem-solving aspect of the work. Working your way through a convoluted, snarly mess of a problem towards a clean, straightforward solution can be very fulfilling. Civil engineering work can sometimes be underappreciated, and goes mostly unnoticed by the general public. If they do notice your work, it's usually because something went wrong. It may not be very glamorous or get a lot of media attention, but civil engineering is the basic foundation upon which those other more-visible projects depend. You can't have one without the other.
Q: What are your personal career goals?
A: From day one, I have always wanted to gain a thorough understanding of the many different aspects of my engineering field. Civil engineering encompasses a large spectrum of fields, such as environmental, structural, transportation, site development, and planning. At the beginning of my career, I just wanted to know enough not to sound stupid in meetings, but now I want to be able to discuss virtually any subject related to my field with understanding and confidence. And...to not sound stupid in meetings.
Q: What projects do you enjoy working on the most, and why?
A: I read once that civil engineering is the foundation of all engineering, from the early Roman Empire constructing forts, aqueducts, and roads. Civil engineering is about clean air and water, sanitary living conditions, shelter, and transportation. All of which are essential to survival. My favorite project to work on is what I’ve never done before. I enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to learn something new. With the diversity of projects we work on, Taliaferro & Browne offers me the chance to try something new from time to time. That keeps me challenged and makes me a better engineer.
Michael Looney has been with Taliaferro & Browne for 14 years, providing civil engineering for a number of key projects, including Troost MAX and the Sprint Center. Michael Looney holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University.
