How has Eckardt helped you in your career development? I started working for Eckardt as an intern when I was an 18-year-old dual-enrollment high school student in my first year of college. The company worked with my schedule so that I could attend my classes, provided me with competitive pay so I could afford my tuition, answered all my questions, and provided me with on-the-job learning opportunities that I could not get through college classes alone. The company was with me throughout my entire college career, supporting me at local events as well as national events, so much so that I decorated my cap at graduation with the company logo. I started as a full-time Assistant Project Manager right after I graduated from college at 21 years old, and a few years later when the Lanier Technical College Project finished, I decided to change positions to become an Estimator. Shortly thereafter when I wanted to get married and move to be with my newlywed husband, the company worked with me and found a way that I could continue being a part of the company by working remote. Now the company is helping me develop as an Estimator towards what has been my goal since I started with Eckardt – being an owner of the company one day.
 

What are 3 words to describe Eckardt Group? Enterprising, motivating, family.

 

What do you like most about Eckardt Group? The company culture. The company makes everyone feel welcomed, respected, and supported which empowers everyone to become whatever they want to be.

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What have you gained from working here at Eckardt Group? A company that has quickly become my family that has supported, respected, and nurtured me throughout the beginning stages of my career. I hope to return the favor one day by doing the same for others, while helping to lead the company towards its lofty goals as the next Vice President of Procurement.  

 

What was your proudest moment on the job? While it is hard to choose just one of my proud moments with the company, I think my proudest moment is when I was the Assistant Project Manager on the Lanier Technical College project from start to finish. That project provided me with so much in-the-field experience while also providing me with the opportunity to give back and help the community that I grew up in.

 

Do you have an office nick name? What is it? CLW, but most people just call me Cara Lea.

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What School did you attend? Kennesaw State University for a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.  

 

Tell us about yourself and your family. My family consists of myself, my newlywed husband Chase (who is an Electrical Construction Project Manager), and my cats. I care for a total of 9 cats (4 live with me, 2 live with my parents and little sister, and 3 are strays/neighborhood cats we have adopted). The 4 that live with us are Sora, Oakley, Ember, and Auto, and we care for two strays named Tigger (who’s really our elderly neighbor’s cat) and Barley. My parents and little sister have Bandit & Kira, and they care for a stray they have adopted named Buggy.

 

What are three words that best describe you? Dedicated, organized, passionate.

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What do you like to do on your days off? Spend time with Chase my husband and our cats. We like to take our cars to car shows, ride our motorcycles, or cruise around town when we are not playing video games together or watching movies and anime. When I am not doing that I am reading, balancing our budget, helping my little sister Peyton with college, or planning our next home project. We also enjoy traveling to visit my family and support Peyton at her Peach State Mounted Shooter events. I am also the leader of the Neighborhood Watch for our country club, and I share my accomplishments with Women in STEM groups to help bring more women into the field.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? At 29 years old, I will be halfway to my goal of being the next “Rachel of Eckardt” by training for my future position of Vice President of Preconstruction, and hopefully helping to train the next generation of estimators as well.