UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State's Alumni Society of Architectural Engineers (ASAE) named Jason McFadden, 2006 bachelor of architectural engineering/master of architectural engineering, as the recipient of the 2016 Early Career Impact Award. McFadden was presented with the award at the Department of Architectural Engineering banquet held in April.
McFadden began his career in construction as a laborer. He joined Barton Malow Company in 2005 as a LEAPS (LEArning Practicum for Students) intern, working on the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park job site at the University Park campus. The project was the first ballpark in the world to earn LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Upon graduation, he became a project engineer with Barton Malow, managing sports, higher education and health care projects throughout the United States. Since then, McFadden has continued with the company and been named a project director.
“The industry that we are in is constantly evolving and it is one of the few professions that will never go static. I find it fascinating to see how a client’s vision is created – first virtually and then constructed physically,” he said. “The architectural engineering program was the perfect discipline for me as it took my desire to understand design and engineering components to help shape my career most efficiently while understanding the cost effective methods of building.”
In 2008, McFadden was the recipient of a Top 40 Under 40 Award by Consulting-Specifying Engineer. In 2011, he was honored with a Top 20 Under 40 by Engineering News-Record Southeast. In 2014, he received the Barton Malow IMPACT Award. He was selected out of a group of his 1,200 peers to receive this honor highlighting an individual that influences lives, improves the workplace and strengthens the community through passion and social impact. For McFadden, these recognitions are humbling experiences.
“CSE and ENR are two prestigious publications in our industry. It is an honor to be recognized by both, as well as to be acknowledged by my peers at Barton Malow, especially for doing something that I enjoy and that I am passionate about,” he said.
Recently, McFadden oversaw the redevelopment of the Daytona International Speedway, serving as director of project management for the project. At peak construction times, he oversaw upwards of 1,050 trade workers at the job site.
Valued at $400 million, the facility covers 2.5 million square feet and is more than one-mile long. The project broke ground in July 2013 and was completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 2016 Daytona 500.
The updated speedway includes five expanded and redesigned entrances with escalators and elevators that lead fans to three different concourse levels and approximately 101,500 permanent and wider seats. The redevelopment resulted in twice as many restrooms, three times as many concession stands as the previous speedway and more than 60 luxury suites.
McFadden described leading the design-build team on the historic revitalization of the Daytona International Speedway as a once in a lifetime experience. Though he had been involved in large and complex projects throughout his career, none compared to the magnitude of the speedway. He described it as both exciting and challenging.
“People management, the technical expertise needed to execute the scope and the overall project risk profile were just some of the factors that played a role,” he said. “With more than 750,000 fans visiting the job site during construction, planning was and had to be key from design through closeout.”
McFadden attributes the project’s success to this extensive planning coupled with what he describes as an “unmatchable and extraordinary team of individuals that were fully invested in creating the first and only motorsports stadium in the world.”
“Nothing was more thrilling than seeing it all come together,” he said. “Getting to hear the fans, staff and owners as they walked into the stadium for the first time is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
In addition to overseeing large projects such as the speedway renovation and winning multiple awards for projects, McFadden has taken on an active leadership role in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. He has served as a speaker at many national and international conferences, including as the keynote speaker at the 2014 Tekla UK Affect BIM Seminar in Kensington, London.
Jonathan Dougherty, ’99 B.A.E and ’06 Ph.D. and president of ASAE, said McFadden’s experience, community service, involvement with the architectural engineering department and potential for continued success made him an ideal candidate for the alumni society’s award.
“With so many worthy and deserving candidates, it was wonderful to see the impact that young AE alumni are having in our industry,” he said. “Jason’s work experiences, industry leadership, and outreach activities set him apart, and ASAE is so pleased to honor his work,” Dougherty said.
In a recommendation letter, Ryan Maibach, president at Barton Malow, provided McFadden with a ringing endorsement.
“Jason has demonstrated leadership to his project teams, clients, and peer professionals by striving to build better each day,” he said.
McFadden credits the Department of Architectural Engineering with delivering the relevant coursework, team building opportunities and beginnings of a professional network needed to succeed in the built environment. He said receiving the ASAE Early Career Impact Award is a reflection of those who have helped to shape his career. He is honored to be recognized as a positive influence on the industry and will continue to represent architectural engineering, ASAE and Penn State in the highest manner.
“I am thankful for the education and life lessons that Penn State taught me,” he said. “I will continue to use those fundamental tools in striving for both my career and personal goals while mentoring and inspiring future leaders in our industry.”
For more information on the ASAE and its Early Career Impact Award, including nomination information, visit www.asae.psu.edu.