Cleary Zimmermann is making an impact in Houston with new leadership and relocating its office to the Houston Energy Corridor, a renowned hub for innovation and collaboration in the energy sector.
In light of these exciting developments, we spoke with Miles Nommensen, recently promoted to Director of Building MEP in Houston. We discussed his background, journey with CZ, and vision for the upcoming year in this new role.
Miles brings over 20 years of experience in designing mechanical and plumbing systems, with additional expertise in electrical design for seamless project management. As a leader, he promotes collaboration and innovation across teams, working towards common goals.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Miles to discuss these recent developments at Cleary Zimmermann Engineers.
Hi Miles, first off, congratulations on your promotion. Could you share more about your background at Cleary Zimmermann?
“I started in April 2023 looking to start playing in the Houston sandbox again. I was born and raised in Houston, and this is the market I knew, [having] done tons of work in Houston. I knew somebody who had just started at CZ, and they sang their praises, especially regarding the culture and the type of work we were doing. It was what people in this industry aspire to do- complex work, interesting work, and higher education institutional sectors. I came on as a project manager, senior mechanical engineer, and was leading the technical floor for our Houston office. Another individual was leading the business and management side, and I was interfaced in all our projects, especially the large capital projects.”
Can you tell us about your new role and responsibilities?
“Currently [I’m] leading all of our large capital technical projects from PM and Mechanical side, but also picking up the business side, working with leadership on goals, and financial management.”
Has there been a specific skill you focused on improving throughout your career at CZ? How will you use this skill in your new role?
“I’ve always been a ‘jack of all trades’, identifying any time there’s a void and being the person to fill it. So, whether that’s mechanical design or management, all my promotions have been a result of already doing what was required. My mechanical background allows me to excel in plumbing design and understand electrical work, allowing me to contribute to all project aspects.”
What advice would you give other people aspiring to advance their careers and secure a promotion?
“I think the number one thing is taking ownership of your work. Many people just clock in and do their jobs, telling themselves, ‘I’m a mechanical engineer, so I’ll stick to mechanical design.’ Although some aim to improve by putting in more hours and effort, they often don’t go beyond that. But we are collaborating as part of a team, so we should check each other’s work. It’s about going above and beyond to make sure we are delivering a seamless product as one.”
Looking forward, what do you hope to accomplish in your new role? What are your goals for the first year?
“We recently relocated and expanded our seating capacity from 14 to 26. We outgrew our previous space over the past two years and are excited to continue our growth in Houston. We aim to take on more complex and interesting projects while attracting talented individuals to a force to be reckoned with here in Houston.”
With strong leadership in Miles Nommensen and a strategic relocation to the Houston Energy Corridor, Cleary Zimmermann is ready for continued success and growth in the vibrant Houston market!
