After completing an internship with PCL during his undergraduate studies at Colorado State University, De’Ohndre Jackson began working full-time with the company in 2019. Throughout his tenure at PCL, he has contributed to diverse projects, markets, and scopes, such as commercial renovations, self-perform concrete operations and the notable 16th Street Mall project. Driven by a deep fascination with construction, Jackson thrives on addressing complex challenges, supported by PCL's collaborative culture and opportunities for growth.

My journey at PCL began with an internship in our Denver office in the summer of 2018. After receiving a full-time offer during my senior year of college, I started as a field engineer in 2019, working on an elementary school project. This project was an excellent introduction to tight, fast-paced summer schedules. I then gained valuable experience working in our self-perform concrete operations, learning how to manage large scopes of work.

From there, I moved to an office renovation project with our Special Projects Division. On this project, I was promoted to project engineer, and under the mentorship of an influential project manager, I decided to pursue a project management career route.

In 2021, I joined the 16th Street Mall project, reconstructing downtown Denver's iconic pedestrian and shuttle bus mall. Following the advice of a trusted PCL mentor, I requested to lead one of the most complex scopes of the project to expedite personal and professional growth. We faced daily challenges with unforeseen utilities, historic artifacts and complex phasing. This role provided significant growth opportunities, and I was eventually promoted to project manager.

I pursued a career in construction due to my fascination with building and my curiosity about how things are constructed and deconstructed. Initially, I enrolled in the Civil Engineering program at Colorado State University (CSU) but quickly realized it wasn't the right fit for me. After speaking with a fellow student in the construction management program, I switched majors and never looked back. The program perfectly blended my interests in engineering and business.

I also enjoy the tangible aspect of construction, where I can see and touch the results of my work. I've always wanted to leave a lasting impact on the landscape of my hometown, Denver, and other places I might work. A great example of this is the 16th Street Mall project, which will serve the people of Denver for decades to come.

One of my favorite projects has been the 16th Street Mall project. It’s the most challenging project I've been a part of, but our team really became a family, and we continue to build a strong relationship with the client. Despite the logistical challenges, one of the most rewarding aspects is seeing the public enjoy the finished product. With a phased turnover approach, we got to witness the public enjoying sections of the new space while we worked on completing other areas. This project is transforming downtown Denver and revitalizing the heart of my hometown.

PCL feels like a family, and I love the culture here, especially our focus on learning and teaching. We invest significantly in our employees, providing them with opportunities to develop the skills needed to advance their careers.

Another aspect I appreciate is the diverse range of projects we undertake. This variety was one of the main reasons I chose to work at PCL. I love learning new things and facing new challenges. I'm passionate about all markets and aim to become well-rounded across different projects. My long-term goal is to grow into a leadership position and mentor future generations of leaders in the construction industry.

I serve on the Professional Advisory Development Board for CSU’s Construction Management program. We work to support and promote the Construction Management program by advocating for careers in construction through education, supporting high-quality faculty and programs, and providing guidance through industry participation. I also participate in some of PCL's internal initiatives, such as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the NextGen group. The NextGen group consists of young professionals working to build an internal network among peers, strengthening PCL's culture, sharing lessons learned and resources, fostering innovation and adding value to the company.