Double Eagle Group Blog

Office Managers for Engineering/Construction Firms Requests are Up!

Skip Black CPC — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:41:19 +0000

Office Managers for Engineering/Construction Firms Requests are Up! Go Figure.

You know things must be getting better when our clients ask us for help in selecting qualified office managers to work in a fast paced setting. In the last couple months, Double Eagle Group has received requests by active clients to recruit senior level Administrative Staff because of internal work load and re-organizational demands due to the financial crater of the last three years. Sifting through admin resumes is not my cup of tea, but knowing it will directly impact the internal business culture for our respected clients makes that task enjoyable. Lay-offs are now a thing of the past, and selected hiring is taking place. Our executive assistant-Susan is indispensable to our operation. We now are searching for that indispensable talent for our clients. As the world turns; with a new spring blooming and admins to hire.

Professionalism & High Standards Breeds Teamwork

Brad Burke, PE — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:11:26 +0000

As Professional Engineers, we are mandated by statute to maintain certain professional standards and ethics to protect the integrity of our profession and the common welfare. The same can be said for Registered Geologists, Land Surveyors, Certified Hazardous Material Managers, or whatever professional registration you have. That same sense of professional integrity and ethics is what drove me to work as a search and placement professional at the Double Eagle Group in Minneapolis. In addition, our internal processes hold us to a higher standard than others in the search & placement industry. So, although the type of work I do now is different, it still involves being able to utilize my knowledge of the industry and my contacts to help client’s solve problems. That’s really what it comes down to – helping companies solve problems.

What I have experienced in 23 years as a Consulting Engineer, is the same thing that I am experiencing now as a search & placement professional. That companies (or clients) with a high degree of professionalism are much easier to work with, they’re easier to help. Why? Very simply stated – when you operate in an environment of high standards and ethics, that type of environment breeds trust. Trust then breeds teamwork, and teamwork leads to joint collaboration towards a common goal. Without this basis of professionalism, ethics, and high standards – being able to truly help your client becomes difficult.

“May we join you as the world is flat”

Skip Black CPC — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:59:46 +0000

R. Skip Black Founder/CEO

Last week we received two in-bound requests to have industry talent add to our growing company blog. In addition, we have been solicited to host advertising links and mutual website co-sponsor links to our Double Eagle Group website. The advertising solicitation came from the UK. We are a global search and placement firm. Development for our new website is in production now, and we are seriously considering new options to share our professional commitment to a better built environment. “The World is Flat” wrote Thomas Friedman, of the New York Times, the title of his bestselling book. As multiple forms of communication continue evolving the human connection between each other is still our most important element. We conduct search and placement for our clients, sourcing and enlightening top talent of new opportunities. We do this one on one. The world is flat and others wish to participate in our growing one on one community. Best of the New Year –

2012-A view from my desk

Skip Black CPC — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:15:10 +0000

January 2012

As we welcome in a new year, the prevailing mood is cautiously optimistic. Double Eagle Group will continue to grow internally as we are to add two more professionals to our staff in the 1^st Q. Energy, water resources, heavy civil construction and mission critical all reflect a strong base. Architecture and construction management for general office/retail remains soft, as does multifamily housing. Hospitality developments have some legs again as inquires are picking up. My friends in the construction industry tell me that many projects are on the boards awaiting final financial packages. Many “underwater loans” are being regrouped or written off, while banks are still wary as a soft bottom is prevalent. The “taking heads” predict 2012 to mirror 2011, with 2013 as the strong year of recovery. Election years are unpredictable. Life is unpredictable as well. What is predictable is that optimism toward your daily tasks gives birth to positive thinking. At Double Eagle Group we reflect optimism about America and a positive view to supporting our clients and talent base. As the song plays “smile…and be happy.”

R. Skip Black Founder/CEO

Hesitation Kills Opportunity / Careers – by Brad Burke, PE

Brad Burke, PE — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:13:58 +0000

Hesitation kills opportunity. Some say patience is a virtue, but only if you know exactly what you are waiting for. Do not confuse the virtue of patience with the bad trait of hesitation. If you don’t know what you are waiting for, or are stuck in a rut, and you are presented with a new opportunity – a new idea that can significantly and positively impact your career – simple hesitation will kill that opportunity. Taken even further, hesitation as a habit can literally kill your career. This happens all too often to engineers and scientists. In fact our over- analysis is so well documented it has a common term – “Analysis-Paralysis” – this is not a positive trait. If you want to take advantage of new opportunities, you need to first “temporarily” disengage your left brain and engage your right brain – allow yourself to dream a little bit. Allow yourself to feel – not analyze. If you can do this, you will not fall into the trap of hesitation – and you just might surprise yourself to see how successful and fulfilling the opportunities within your career can become. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite sayings:

On the Plains of Hesitation, Lie the bones of countless millions, Who in the face of VICTORY sat down and waited, and while waiting – they died.

2011 a year to remember or a year to forget? R. Skip Black CPC.

Skip Black CPC — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:32:52 +0000

2011 a year to remember or a year to forget? R. Skip Black CPC.

After crunching numbers, checking my historical s and laughing at the optimism we saw in the first Quarter this year, I am of the mind to call 2011 a Draw. A 50/50 year. In respect to consistent business cycle it was a year to forget. However, in respect to new markets and developing trends, this was a year to remember. The human animal likes to put things in compartments. Good or Bad. In the higher levels of search & placement work we live in a world of gray. “We really need to find this top level manager for major construction project…” advises a new client…only to have the project put back on hold after uncovering four (4) very competent and “right-fit” talents. On hold due to funding package not through the venting process yet. “We really need this hire but we have to wait on the finance package….it’s been delayed again…” they lament. Meanwhile the talent has completed two (2) to four (4) extensive interviews, background as well as reference checks, taking precious time away from their current position to interview and become emotionally engaged with our new project. Just yesterday, an old recruiting friend calls me up and she cried ”Skip. I just can’t take this market anymore…commitment then no follow-through”…..time and again….I am going to go and find a retail selling position with upscale women’s apparel shop in the Chanel boutique and chill for a few months”. She asked how our year was and I offered it was a 50/50 year. She laughed and laughed. “Good one” she said as she walked into to apply. Some weak floor has been found, markets are perking, and employment within our AEC sectors remains vibrant or stagnant depending on discipline. Every day I go to work with a smile. Even in a 50/50 year.

Double Eagle Group signs with largest develpment project in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Skip Black CPC — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:11:06 +0000

R. Skip Black CEO of the Double Eagle Group announces that his firm has been selected as the lead search and placement firm to staff the largest development project in The Kingdom Saudi Arabia. This ambitious project includes a Five (5) Billion dollar development with twenty-six (26) five (5) Star Hotels. Since 2005, the Double Eagle Group has provided lead executive staff in the following countries: UAE, Angola, Russia, Libya and The People’s Republic of China.(PRC).

Technical DNA, daughters and sons, a short memo

Skip Black CPC — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:38:03 +0000

Technical DNA, daughters and sons, a short memo.

My youngest daughter, Patricia, is a very bright and engaging woman. Married to an IT professional they live in Phoenix, AZ. Patti attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 2007 with a major in Global Studies, Italian. This major she decided on while attending a summer internship in Florence during her sophomore year. Some background is needed: while in high school she took all the advanced science subjects, including calculus, physics, biology, chemistry and received A’s and B’s. Picture taking became a hobby that she relished. Her senior year of high school she petitioned to attend Perpich High School for the Arts in Minneapolis for photography. She was scholarship accepted and graduated high school with high honors. The photography passion leads her to Florence in the summer of 2005. Young people should chase the dream I believe, but this economic maelstrom has pulled many new non technical grads into an employment abyss. Since graduation she was unable to secure a full-time position in areas of her global interests. Once an employer offered her full time employment as an interpreter and document manager only to have the offer withdrawn in October 2008 as the financial crisis made her employer wary. Part time positions became her only revenue. In the spring of 2010 she called me up to announce: “Dad, I getting married to Dave, we are moving to Phoenix and I am going to back to school in nursing!” This information overload for a Dad made me laugh as very typical of Patti. I asked her why? “I am tired of being broke and Daves’ new position at Grand Canyon University will let me attend school again at a significant discount”. Last week she sent me a postcard. “Dad ,”she writes, “only 19 more months and I am a nurse!” By the way-straight A’s so far.

Moral of the blog: If you have a technical DNA child encourage them to go into engineering or the bio-sciences. Leave the CLA to others without the tech DNA. Like her Dad.

Our small voice amid the din

Skip Black CPC — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:39:52 +0000

I wake up one morning and read/hear about 9% unemployment here in the United States and the Greek debt crisis in Europe and how it will have a Lehman Brothers effect on the EU and then cascade to the American financial firms, already under pressure. The following day I read/hear that the Central EU banks, under direction from the German banking system, have devised a solution to the EU currency problem and the investment markets respond favorably. One respected economist wrote in the WSJ last week; “investments were once driven by policy, but now they are reacting to commentary.” Perhaps comments by respected politicians and business leaders have always driven the marketplace. So we at Double Eagle Group (DEG) provide the following comments: 1. Unemployment in engineering remains at historic lows, due to shortage of talent is key areas. (2-3.5%) 2. New markets emerge in Power/Energy; Sustainable/Renewable Design; Mission Critical centers; clean water issues driving new technologies; and infrastructure changes with new intermodal solutions requiring advanced engineering are just a few of the comments I will make this morning on a positive note. If we are reacting now to “commentary rather than policy” our small voice amid the din may just help the greater good.

Star Quality Staff at Double Eagle Group, Inc.

Skip Black CPC — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:45:25 +0000

KEY STAFF

R. Skip Black, CPC – Founder / CEO: Architecture, Structures, Construction Management, MEP, MCF

Mr. Black has built a significant career in the AEC search & placement industry building teams domestically as well as internationally for over twenty years. His industry knowledge is sought out by trade journals and on-line publications for editorial comment. North American based AEC teams that require experienced international talent frequently contact Mr. Black for his opinion and support. Merger and Acquisitions as well as capital formation campaigns fill out his business days. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota CLA.
Ned Lyons – Vice President/Principal: Power/Energy Group

Mr. Lyons joined Double Eagle Group, Inc, after a nearly fourteen year career in professional search with a highly respected upper mid-western recruiting group. His specialties included: high-tech manufacturing, Information Technology, as well as A&E. Prior to his career in search and placement Ned had sixteen year career in high tech injection molding, manufacturing management and sales. He brings a first class level of achievement and highly respected professional reputation to our team. He merged his Hunter-Lyons firm with Double Eagle in late 2009. Mr. Lyons graduated from Bemidji State University BS Industrial Technology/Business.
Paul Wallick P.E. – Manager: Heavy Civil Group

Mr. Wallick is a licensed Professional Engineer with over fifteen years of Civil Engineering experience. During his active engineering career Paul concentrated in environmental engineering and site planning. He also worked for a regional developer of large scale residential and mixed use tracks. Paul brings a unique depth to our team and our many civil clients respect his knowledge and ask him for help building their teams. Mr. Wallick graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BSCivil/Environmental
Larry Mismash – Manager: Mining / Pulp & Paper Group

Larry has developed a deep resource of contacts while perusing a 30 year career in Heavy Mining, Rock&Dirt as well as Pulp and Paper. His broad experience base and superior customer care placed him as the vendor of choice while he was Heavy Equipment Sales Manager for a major Heavy Equipment manufacture. Larry also held leadership sales positions with an international Heavy Equipment/parts re-seller as well as a regional distributor of Heavy Equipment.

Brad Burke P.E. – Manager: Earth/Water Group

Mr. Burke is a licensed Professional Engineer with over twenty years of Civil & Environmental Engineering experience. Brad has been President / Owner of his own environmental consulting practice for 10+ years, and has an extensive background in environmental investigation & remediation for commercial & industrial sites nationwide. He served as a Proposal Manager for several successful DOD environmental contracts and was responsible for strategic marketing and start-up of a number of offices and environmental operations. Brad provides Double Eagle clients and candidates with a high level of professionalism and experience in their strategic business and career decisions.

Annette Hahn Sr. Executive Associate

Recruited US and International based candidates for exempt and non-exempt administration, management, legal, IT, human resources, sales, accounting, and financial , civil engineering as well as AEC candidates through various channels, including cold calling, employee referrals, internet advertisements, search firms, direct recruiting, data mining, market research and customer specific proprietary databases. Performed basic and advanced e-recruiting to locate both active and passive candidates, including Boolean searches. Evaluated candidates against position requisitions criteria for interest & acceptability. Assisted in EEO/Applicant Tracking, OFCCP compliance and holds a leadership position on the Diversity Focus Group – committed to educating and enhancing diversity awareness. Ms. Hahn holds a BA Communications, University of Wisconsin

Jacque Bell Sr. Associate

Dynamic, results driven professional with an extensive background in solution focused recruiting and recruiting management. Expertise includes excellent selection skills including behavior-based interview techniques, strong relationship management with hiring authorities, partnership building, communication and presentation skills. Background includes a demonstrated record of success in all aspects of recruitment including in fast-paced environments as an individual contributor, in teams, and in leadership roles. Strengths in targeting candidates and cold call recruiting individuals at all levels. Recruiting experience is in various fields including Information Technology, Telecommunications, Software, Consulting, Engineering, Architectural, Financial Services, Healthcare, government/federal, and more.

Melanie Wall Sr. Associate

Full-life cycle recruiting and project management of numerous disciplines with domestic and global exposure within Specialty Materials (fluorine products, specialty films and additives; fibers; specialty chemicals) and
Electronic Materials (microelectronic polymers; metals; semiconductor; electronic chemicals)
Disciplines include:
Construction Engineers Lean / Six Sigma Production Managers Chemical Engineers Plant Supervisors
Oil & Gas Supply Planning Maintenance
Market Segment Leaders Project Managers
Metallurgical Engineers Production Engineers
Quality Assurance Chemical Operators Draw Technicians
Instrument General Mechanics Supply Chain
HS&E Planners Production and Process Engineers
Human Resources