My introduction to the value methodology came in October, 1978 when I joined the firm of Value Engineering, Inc. (VEI) in Dallas, Texas, as the “one girl” in a one-girl-office (as it was described back then). I did typing, accounting, and all kinds of general office work. Much of the typing work was on value engineering (VE) reports and proposals for new VE work. Then, in May, 1979, I attended my first SAVE Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter (DFW) of SAVE would be hosting the 1980 conference, so I went in 1979 to learn what the conference was all about.
My involvement in SAVE took off immediately. I began as DFW Chapter Secretary in Spring, 1979. At the same time, I played a lead role in planning, organizing, and putting on the 1980 SAVE Annual Conference. I worked closely with the SAVE Board of Directors to help them find a new Business Manager for the headquarters office, then located in Irving, Texas ¾ all of this in 1979 and 1980. From there I proceeded to President of the DFW Chapter, then Regional Vice President (a position which no longer exists) on the National Board, and later Executive Vice President. From 1984 through 1992 I was also SAVE’s National Director of Conferences. In 1994, I began a two-year term as President of SAVE, the first woman ever elected to hold that office.
Along the way I advanced within VEI as well, eventually becoming a partner and Vice President. As the company grew, I managed the administrative and financial functions, as well as marketing the firm’s VE services. Because of my extensive involvement in preparing proposals and presenting the firm’s qualifications to prospective clients, I decided I might have more credibility if I were certified. Thus I began participating in VE studies, teaching in seminars and workshops, and working my way through the SAVE Certification process. I achieved my CVS certification in 1990, and began leading VA/VE studies shortly thereafter.
My role as VE Team Leader has been primarily in the construction sector, on everything from courthouses, office buildings, hospitals, schools, and border stations, to petrochemical process plants, to roads, highways, and bridges. I have also had the pleasure of facilitating numerous “process” studies, on things like child support enforcement, labor compliance laws, right-of-way decertification, converting overhead utilities to underground…..to name a few. I am proud to say I was recognized by the Federal Highway Administration for my role as Team Leader on “Most Outstanding VE Study of the Year” three different times, in 1994, 1997, and 2000. At the 2003 AASHTO VE Conference in Tampa, Florida, the Right-of-Way Decertification study was recognized as “Most Value Added” process study.
In 1998, after 20 good years with VEI, the time was right for me to move on. I joined the firm of Value Management Strategies, Inc. (VMS) as Executive Vice President, and two years later relocated to southern California. After several years of “disconnect” from any official involvement in SAVE, I served one year as Director of Mentoring, and am currently Dean of the College of Fellows.
One of the highlights of my life in the Value community was to meet and get to know Larry Miles, the Father of Value Analysis. He and his wonderful wife Eleanor, who still remains an inspiration to me today, were always smiling and enthusiastic about life. That first seven months at VEI opened up a whole new world for me, a world in which I have had the good fortune to have a successful career, and meet hundreds of people from all walks of life, a wide variety of professions, and many different cultures.
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