VERTEX is a strong believer in continuous learning. In fact, it’s part of our core values and is practiced by many of VERTEX’s team. Take, for example, Bill McConnell, CEO, who has been working towards his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Civil Engineering. One of Bill’s professors, Dr. Ibrahim Odeh, is also the founder of the Global Leaders in Construction Management (GLCM), a Strategic Management Research Initiative founded at Columbia University in 2011.
Every academic year the initiative nominates top eight to ten talented students from the Civil Engineering Department to join the GLCM strategic group. To be able to qualify as a GLCM candidate, each student needs to show a combination of the following attributes: (i) outstanding academic achievements in their studies; (ii) exceptional soft skills in presenting and writing; and (iii) promising entrepreneurial and innovative problem-solving skills. This highly selective criteria of the GLCM members is by nomination, not by application. The faculty engaged in this initiative observe and nominate at the beginning of the academic year; approximately after 2 months, all potential rising leaders at the program. Each candidate is then interviewed. VERTEX’s CEO, Bill McConnell, PE, JD, MSCE, CDT, is part of GLCM’s Industry Network.
Learn more about GLCM and VERTEX’s services to the Construction industry.