It has been 17 years since Cleveland Johnson joined the Townes Site Engineering team. At the time Cleveland was searching for a job that offered great future opportunities.
Townes found a dedicated employee in Cleveland and he found a company with that desired room for growth. Our civil engineering department had a need for an AutoCAD technician. Cleveland had grown his CAD (Computer Aided Design) skills through a community college certification and working for the City of Lynchburg.
Cleveland’s drafting has been put to use on major development projects in the Richmond region including buildings at Fort Gregg-Adams and local subdivisions.
Cleveland started as a CAD Tech and was later promoted to the role of Civil Designer.
Each day usually involves collaborating with engineers and EITs (Engineers in Training), reviewing project checklists, and making changes or creating new layouts in AutoCAD. This can include anything from drawing lots on a property to ensuring compliance with codes.
Once Cleveland’s drawings are wrapped up, they go back to the engineers for markups.
Projects can vary significantly. When asked to pick a favorite, Cleveland reminisced on one of the very first he participated in. The projects that Townes worked on for Fort Gregg-Adams (formerly named Fort Lee) helped him learn the ropes when he first started.
They also brought unique challenges with quick turnarounds. Cleveland explains that government jobs typically have a short timeline and competitive bidding process.
Another project that’s always top of mind for Cleveland is the Reader’s Branch subdivision in Goochland County. Over the last 10 years, this project has evolved as new sections opened for construction.
Careers that rely on technology are constantly evolving. Luckily, Cleveland is dedicated to learning new skills and taking on challenges.
When he started working with AutoCAD, Cleveland was commonly using a program called Land Desktop Companion. Following that program, Cleveland and other CAD users shifted to learning a new 3D CAD software that he described as “a big jump for everyone.” This updated software was essential to government projects and progressing as a CAD technician.
Cleveland says he works hard to practice his skills and learn new things on his own.
Currently, in his role as a Civil Designer, he uses a program called Civil 3D. Each year Civil 3D goes through updates and can even be expanded to include new features.
Townes Site Engineering is large enough to take on major development projects but small enough for our teams to truly bond.
As a civil designer, Cleveland collaborates with all the departments such as ensuring his drawings don’t impact wetlands, requesting survey notes from the field and showing structural drawings to the geotechnical team.
Most often he is working with the newer CAD technicians at Townes. Cleveland explains he tries to help out whenever they need it. He provides answers to questions, helps them understand their tasks and makes sure they don’t fall behind.
Cleveland isn’t just a familiar and helpful face around the office, he also participates in a lot of the company events. Including a golf event many years ago, despite saying he is “not good at it” and almost sending a golf ball soaring toward another coworker. From bowling and cornhole games to the Christmas party, he says he enjoys getting together with all the other departments.
When he isn’t at the office or participating in events, Cleveland is spending quality time with his wife and son or putting his art skills to work by drawing comics, anime and realistic pictures.
Wondering what it’s like to work with or for Townes Site Engineering? Get in touch with us to meet the team and learn more.
