William Abila
Designer | drafter | estimator
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My Biography
The mantra by which I work is, “due diligence plus ambition equals quality product.” I strive to do the best possible work, as a direct representation of my employer, to allow clients to recognize that we set the standard in quality and timeliness for every deliverable we are offering. Mathematics is a passion and fundamental building block from which I approach most things in life. It was my solid foundation in mathematics that allowed me to be a drafter directly out of high school at a major engineering company with men twice my age. The drafting position made Auto Cad my tool, and soon it was the base for other programs such as Bentley Auto Plant and Cadworx. Eventually I became an administrator for both programs which allowed me to delve into the world of engineering specifications. My passion then became ASME Code, ANSI Standards, OSHA Safety guidelines, and NFPA Engineering practices. Once I had become a certified admin in the drafting programs which I used, something occurred to me, that just as drafters before me had only a pencil and ink at their disposal, the only thing which I had truly mastered was the tool -nothing more than a glorified pencil. For the next chapter in my career as a drafter, I soon added designer to my title as well and began the art of extracting knowledge from more experienced co-workers.
I also realized that not only was their knowledge more valuable than any I could pay for at an accredited university, it could also not acquired in the same manner, and this is when communication, respect, and trust became my collateral in the world of downstream engineering. One of the biggest aids to my career came in the form of my father who gave me a piping design standards and practices manual, which was older than I am, from a company that had long since been dissolved by the waves of our hectic economy. I used that manual almost every day, and it led me to understand another fundamental mantra I would use in my growing career, that l use often even today, “I may not know everything, but if I do not, I can look it up.” Initially I used my computer skills to get me to designer and eventually was given a chance to be a lead designer. I had the responsibility of designing an entire gas compression station expansion located in Pennsylvania, and take on spec creation for the cad program, project scheduling, and isometric/orthographic deliverables. The project was a success, and today there’s a plant, which I am very proud to say, was the result of many late nights and stressful deadlines, but ultimately the fruit of my design and hard work.
After this I took up work briefly in Bellingham, Washington, and then moved to my most recent engineering employer AMEC Foster Wheeler, who specialized in upstream engineering, which was a different atmosphere than the downstream world I knew. The Interconnecting piping systems were different, but the fundamentals were the same. While at foster wheeler I learned to do estimates, feed studies, and Isometric coordination. It was at this crossroads that I learned what a valuable tool Excel could be to show upper management and non-designers deliverable completion timelines, and have means to show viable proof when change orders were necessary. The beforementioned experience led to the final mantra by which I walk along the path of my career, “you are only as good as you’re team either you all succeed or you all fail.” In the final months of my employment at foster wheeler I was put on a project that was severely behind schedule. I developed an Isometric tracking program to show progress and estimated time to completion by area and person for upper management. The entirety of my work went from design to working with other designers, checkers, and project management to show progress and accountability, to decide what areas needed more manpower, and what was on schedule that could be extracted so procurement could begin ordering materials in preparation for the construction phase of the project. The result of my efforts and the hard work of my team was a project that finished on time, against all odds and client satisfaction. I want to finish by thanking you for taking to the time to read this professional history about me and say I look forward to the opportunities your company has to offer. I hope I get the chance to work with you and add to my experiences. If some of these experiences do not directly relate to the position for which I am applying to I still list them to show that I am two things adaptable and ambitious.
Best Regards,
William Abila
Drafter | Designer | Estimator