Growth & People
RESPEC Welcomes Mike Rabe and Tracy McKeon to Infrastructure Team
We recently welcomed two key additions to our Infrastructure team in our Anchorage office. Mike Rabe, PE, joins as our new Director of Transportation, and Tracy McKeon joins us as a Principal Mechanical Engineer.
Mike brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having spent 30 years serving Alaska’s infrastructure needs in various projects and leadership roles. His journey in Alaska started at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Throughout his career, Mike has also been an active member and leader in several organizations, such as the American Council of Engineering Consultants—Alaska Chapter, the Alaska Professional Design Council, and Anchorage Tomorrow, all of which he has served as President.
As Director of Transportation, Mike works out of our Anchorage office, directing and managing our Transportation group on air- and land-based transportation projects.
“I am eager to build positive relationships with my team and clients,” says Mike. “I look forward to upholding RESPEC’s core values of Passion, Accountability, Caring, and Teamwork and working collaboratively to achieve all our shared goals.”
Mike’s proven track record in managing large-scale projects, delivering results, and creating an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation, and accountability made him the perfect choice for the Director of Transportation position.
Tracy brings more than 25 years of experience in construction management, project management, mechanical design, and the construction industry. With a LEED AP Building Design & Construction certification, she has an extensive understanding of mechanical systems design in arctic and cold climates, and her expertise has been sought after in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Tracy has a passion for building strong relationships that extend beyond the organization and into the community. At RESPEC, she is eager to join forces with local and rural communities, providing them with the tools and support they need to overcome challenges and reach their goals.
“I am looking forward to expanding local and rural community partnerships and helping tackle their complex projects in arctic and cold climates,” Tracy says.
"We are thrilled to welcome Mike and Tracy to RESPEC and the INF team,” says Matt Emerson, Senior Vice President of INF. “We look forward to working with them to continue serving our clients and growing our transportation and facilities markets.”
As Mike likes to say: “Let’s get to work and solve the problem.”
RESPEC's Tuition Program helps Employee-Owners reach career milestones
It’s no small feat to work toward a higher-level degree or certification, and doing so while maintaining a full-time job is something no one would consider easy. But with the right support, striking a balance between career and academic growth is not just possible—it’s advantageous.
Take mechanical engineer Colin Fay, who works in our Palmer, Alaska, office. In addition to his role as the Business Development Lead for our Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Region, Colin helps oversee the operations of the Palmer office and leads projects, proposals, and office culture. Despite his busy schedule, Colin recently earned a master’s degree in engineering management from Oregon State University.
Colin started his master’s program in 2020, amid RESPEC’s acquisition of PDC Engineers, now our Infrastructure unit. At the time, he wanted more formal project and personnel management training.
“RESPEC’s tuition reimbursement program had a role in helping me get started,” says Colin. “It was fantastic knowing that RESPEC supports pursuing higher education for its employee-owners.”
Colin spent 2 years expanding RESPEC’s reach in Alaska’s Mat-Su region. During this time, he balanced his work with full online classes, which enabled him to experience significant professional and personal growth. Although adjusting to an academic environment took some time, Colin was confident in his desire to further his education, knowing that his managers and fellow employee-owners were always ready to provide him with the necessary support.
Just go for it! RESPEC supports pursuing higher education for its employee-owners.
Many other successes have happened within RESPEC, like Colin’s. Since 1993, RESPEC has assisted more than 40 employee-owners in achieving a higher education. From engineering to human resources, the reimbursement program is here to help everyone at RESPEC.
“I decided, what better time to just go for it,” Colin says. “I had a great support system in place, and I knew that getting my degree would only benefit me in the long run.”
With a culture that values education and career advancement, RESPEC has a tuition reimbursement program that helps its employee-owners who are seeking to further their education. Many other successes have happened within RESPEC, like Colin’s. Since 1993, RESPEC has assisted more than 40 employee-owners in achieving a higher education. From engineering to human resources, the reimbursement program is here to help everyone at RESPEC.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” says Colin. “Thanks to the program, I learned skills that have made me a better project and personnel management manager, and I’m already seeing a positive difference.”
At RESPEC, we prioritize investing in our employee-owners’ potential by providing them opportunities to achieve their professional goals. We understand that having employee-owners who strive to achieve a higher education not only benefits them but also allows RESPEC to create leaders who can drive the company forward.
RESPEC is hiring
RESPEC is 100% employee-owned through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and we call each person who works for us an “employee-owner."
In 2022, RESPEC was honored to be recognized as a Great Place to Work. Everything that RESPEC does seeks to better people and places. Whether we live in, develop, or partner with a community, we act in ways that preserve and enhance quality. Our ACROSS approach ensures that RESPEC brings the skillsets and perspectives that clients need to the places they are. Clients’ outcomes will be safe, compliant, trackable, and transparent. RESPEC improves every community that our people and projects touch.