Clare Fullerton, PE

I have worked as an engineer for 14 years, with about eight of those years in the transportation market. During that time, I’ve run statewide programs, supported projects, and engaged with colleagues across the nation. I’m thankful to have had opportunities to be a part of the entire lifecycle of projects, from preconstruction to construction to maintenance.

I love drinking the best orange juice in the world every day! I’ve enjoyed learning, gaining work experience, and growing my career in New York, Tennessee, and North Carolina. But I’m a Florida girl at heart and enjoy the unique challenges Florida faces in balancing its coastlines, tourism, and diverse ecosystem. These challenges require careful consideration when determining how to deliver diverse and comprehensive solutions through geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial data integration.

I joined the team in January 2022 as I was looking to move to a firm with a strong focus on innovation. I also wanted to share my skillset while growing as an engineer in the transportation industry. GeoDecisions is full of passionate individuals with pioneering GIS, data science, and technology ideas who are eager to deliver quality work to our clients, and I’m proud to work alongside them.

As a senior project manager and client manager, I oversee individual projects and project portfolios for GeoDecisions. Our projects help our clients transform their data so that it can do more for them in their programming and project efforts.

Gannett Fleming and GeoDecisions support my participation in projects for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and Transportation Research Board committees. They also encourage me to attend industry conferences, dedicate time to continuing education opportunities, and become a thought leader through presenting, leading webinars, and writing articles.

The Florida Department of Transportation’s Roadway Characteristics Inventory (RCI) Next Project is moving into the statewide implementation phase, where we’re supporting the office both technically and through change management to upgrade their legacy RCI system to Esri Roads and Highways.

For this project, I work onsite with the client and engage with various stakeholders across the state to help them migrate this exciting technology into their various business processes to enhance their programs.

Witnessing our solutions create a positive impact on the communities our clients serve. Working with departments of transportation (DOTs) means our projects elevate those DOTs and allow them to better serve the needs of their communities. It’s a great feeling to know we are a part of that!

I see them contributing fresh ideas and challenging us to accomplish tasks in new ways. Because of our differences, each of us brings a unique perspective to how we view the world. By celebrating these differences, including experience levels, we can keep moving the needle on innovation.

GeoDecisions’ work is at the forefront of innovation. Our projects continuously allow our clients to bring their innovative visions to fruition.

When I worked at the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), I developed and ran the CLEAR (Communicate Lessons, Exchange Advice, Record) Program, the department’s internal knowledge management and innovation program. It was a part of the NCDOT Transportation Innovation Council and, in 2021, was awarded the Federal Highway Administration’s STIC Excellence Award for Innovation. I’m proud to have contributed to the program’s success and look forward to working with other government agencies to develop systems that support positive change and growth.

Having worked at a DOT has allowed me to better understand the constraints our clients have due to funding streams, legislative requirements, and resource needs. Additionally, I know firsthand that our clients’ ultimate goal is to deliver superior services and quality projects and programs to the people of their states.

My ability to unite a diverse team of individuals who, collectively, can lead us to the right solution. I listen to my colleagues, value their insight, and acknowledge when we need additional expertise or opinions on a matter to drive us to the best solution.

Most people’s moods have nothing to do with you. Early in my career, I thought a supervisor was unhappy with me, but it turned out they had something going on in their life that was impacting their mood at work. I now know not to take things so personally, and I’m mindful about giving someone grace when something difficult is going on in their life.

It’s imperative to invite diversity to all rooms where decisions are being made. Having diverse backgrounds, expertise, education, and experience around the table allows for different viewpoints of a problem and encourages a more comprehensive solution. Each of us sees the world from our own unique perspective, and it’s paramount that we understand how our solutions impact others.

I’ve taken a nontraditional path. I started as a project engineer working on a large power plant project in upstate New York. Over the years, I always said “yes” to opportunities that interested me and got involved in research and professional organizations that introduced me to different types of work.

Once I started working with DOTs, I realized I wanted to make the jump to the transportation industry, and I had a strong skillset in knowledge and change management that I could apply. I continue to pursue different interests and seek opportunities to try new things.

Running, reading, cycling, and listening to music.

I have two great kids, who are in elementary and middle school. I also have two dogs that constantly stir up trouble!

Everyone gets a cake on their half-birthday!

Rest when you are feeling weary or worn down, but never give up.

I grew up and spent half of my childhood in Central and South America.

Secretary Buttigieg. It would be incredible to spend a day learning about the nation’s transportation needs as well as meeting innovators in the transportation industry and asking them questions.