TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MARK ECKERT, PE

MARK ECKERT, PE

Water/Wastewater engineer Mark Eckert grew up on a dairy farm in Bradford County, PA. Since high school, he had an interest in engineering, but he wasn’t sure what kind of engineering he should pursue. He started out majoring in electrical engineering, but didn’t enjoy it, so he transferred to SUNY Cobleskill for Agricultural Engineering Technology, where he obtained a 2-year degree. Mark and his wife April ended up relocating to West Chester, PA where he worked as a truck driver, hauling sludge for a municipal wastewater plant, then for an industrial plant. It was during that time that he learned a lot about wastewater treatment, including what NOT to do. Some health issues caused Mark to look for work that differed from truck driving. Still interested in engineering, he heard about a new Alternative Energy and Power Generation program at PSU, so he went back to school. Mark was part of the second graduating class through the program and now has a 4-year degree.

Mark’s wife April is a teacher of zoology, anatomy & physiology. They have three dogs, a cat, and a bunch of reptiles. Plus, because of Coronavirus school closures, all those lovely reptiles are at home! Mark enjoys woodworking, gun/stock-smithing, and together, Mark and April enjoy camping, hiking, and extracurriculars with their dogs, like dock diving and dog agility courses. They also had their first camping trip with a recently purchased camp trailer. Mark has also begun pursuing his private pilot’s license.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

Mark Eckert

WHAT WOULD YOUR PERFECT WORKDAY INCLUDE?

Finishing up a big project and getting it out the door and then seeing the finished product being built.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD?

Anywhere camping with my wife.

WHAT CORE VALUE OF JHA MOST RESONATES WITH YOU, AND WHY?

People matter most. Not only do our clients matter but our teammates as well. It’s great to be part of a team that not only says it is a team but acts like it. I feel that I was integrated very easily into the team and it feels cohesive. Even though there is plenty of distance between some of us, we can always get into the same “room” via Teams

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POSSESSION?

A Mauser rifle that my grandfather worked on in 1970 and I finished in 2011.

WHAT IS GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU LAUGH?

Old silly stories.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?

Passing the PE exam and getting my engineering license.