NEWS & INSIGHTS > Featured > International Team Member Exchange Program: Year Two
Mar 26, 2025
Partnering with A.G. Coombs in Australia and NG Bailey in the U.K. gives U.S. Engineering team members the chance to try new approaches, learn from global leaders, and bring fresh ideas back home.
Established from a peer group formed five years ago, the International Team Member Exchange Program fosters cross-company, and cross-oceanic, collaboration, and innovation. Recognizing that mechanical contractors often operate within isolated markets, we and our partners saw an opportunity to bridge that gap, giving our and our partners’ team members direct access to different ways of thinking and alternative project management approaches. We wanted to offer an uncommon development experience within our industry: the ability to step into a global environment and learn from international experts.
Now in its second year, the program allows team members to work abroad for about ten weeks, fully immersing themselves in international operations. Participants receive full pay while all travel, food, and lodging expenses are covered. It’s another example of how U.S. Engineering, A.G. Coombs, and NG Bailey invest in our people, empowering them to grow, lead, and shape the future of our industry.
Last year, Ryan Reed (Solutions Architect, U.S. Engineering Holdings) and Lauren Wilson (Project Manager – Strategic Initiatives, U.S. Engineering Construction) were the first U.S. Engineering participants in the exchange program. Their experiences reinforced the value of international collaboration, expanding their professional perspectives and strengthening relationships across our partner companies.
Learn more about last year’s participants and their experiences here.
Hannah Thomazin, P.E. (Assistant Project Manager, U.S. Engineering Construction)
Hannah Thomazin joined U.S. Engineering Construction in 2020 and has held roles across multiple departments, including Virtual Construction and Project Controls. After quickly gaining an understanding of the industry, she sought to improve internal processes through automation and data analytics. Now part of the Strategy team, she collaborates cross-regionally to streamline workflows and advance strategic initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Benedictine College and recently earned her PE in Industrial & Systems Engineering. Hannah also serves as the youngest member of the MCAA Innovative Technology Committee, championing industry innovation. She partnered with NG Bailey in the exchange.
Tom Walsh, P.E. (Assistant Project Manager, U.S. Engineering Innovations)
Starting as an intern at U.S. Engineering Innovations in 2019, Tom Walsh returned for a full-time role as a Project Engineer in January 2020. Since then, he has transitioned into his current role as Assistant Project Manager. He received his Professional Engineer (PE) license in March of 2024 and has been healthily involved in preconstruction and project management for Innovations’ national projects. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri. He partnered with A.G. Coombs in the exchange.
Hannah and Tom’s experiences illustrate why the Team Member Exchange Program is such a valuable investment – not just in individuals, but in U.S. Engineering’s long-term growth.
We believe listening to and investing in our people leads to better solutions for our clients. By embedding with international teams, our people gain new perspectives and bring back ideas that improve how we deliver results.
“I’ve worked at U.S. Engineering Construction my whole career,” said Thomazin. “While I love it here, this program gave me a chance to step outside of what I’ve always known.”
During their time abroad, team members work side-by-side with international partners and explore some of the industry’s current trends, like BIM, off-site manufacturing, and net zero buildings. These hands-on experiences give our team members new perspectives they can apply back home.
In Australia with A.G. Coombs, Tom learned in-depth about their in-house design team and forward-thinking solutions.
“It was fascinating to interact with their team and see how their approach to project design is different from ours,” said Walsh. “They handle all their design in-house, so they have a bit more flexibility in how projects evolve. That’s something I had never experienced before.”
Beyond technical insights, the program offers team members a chance to fully experience the culture of their host country. For Thomazin that meant experiencing a classic English Tea, while for Walsh it meant attending the Australian Football League’s Grand Final and taking a motorcycle trip along the Great Ocean Road. These moments not only created personal connections but also highlighted how cultural perspectives shape professional approaches.
The International Team Member Exchange Program embodies our commitment to respect, collaboration and open dialogue. Because our partners are international, and not direct competitors, team members have the freedom to share challenges and successes, without hesitation.
“We can be completely transparent about the issues we face because the companies aren’t in our market,” said Thomazin. “It’s a collaborative space where everyone is working toward the same goal.”
This transparency allows our team to bring back fresh ideas and innovative perspectives to U.S. Engineering.
“I’ve always worked here, so in some ways, I’ve been in a bubble,” said Walsh. “Seeing how another company operates gave me a broader view of the industry and new ideas for how we can approach challenges.”
Opportunities like the Team Member Exchange Program highlight how U.S. Engineering invests in its people, with a special focus on supporting the growth of young professionals.
“It’s rare to find a company that actively creates opportunities like this for young professionals,” said Thomazin. “U.S. Engineering isn’t just preparing us for our next role; they’re giving us the experiences that broaden our perspectives and challenge us to think differently about our industry and our careers.”
Through this program, U.S. Engineering is cultivating the next generation of leaders – team members who are well-rounded, innovative and ready to take on future challenges, while also strengthening our partnerships with leading companies around the world.
“This program is a clear action that shows we’re investing in our people,” said Thomazin. “It’s a way of saying, ‘we trust you, and we want to give you opportunities to grow and represent us on a global stage.’”
