Employee Spotlight: Haruo Fujihara, Project Manager

What do you do at Gilbert Industries?

I’m one of the project managers at Gilbert. I oversee several projects at a time which includes scheduling, budgeting for materials, and communicating the status of the project with the customers.

What is a typical day for you like here at work?

This is a tricky question. As a project manager, I don’t have a typical day. Since each project is different, each day is also different and has its own set of challenges. There is always something new. However, I always try to check the status of all my projects at least once a week.

How long have you been at Gilbert Industries? 

It’s been 1.5 years since I joined Gilbert Industries.

What brought you here?

I finished my Master’s at Missouri State University in Springfield and looked for a position which allowed me to gain experience and develop my career. The key was staying in MO. So, Gilbert Industries was the perfect combination.

What part of the job do you find most fulfilling?

Working, learning, and finishing the projects. The most fulfilling part of my job is when I look at the tanks completed and leaving our facility.

What do you like most about working at Gilbert?

Being a foreigner in the company makes me value the work environment a lot. I’ve found amazing people to work with and that makes me like Gilbert more.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

I have many different hobbies such as playing football (what Americans call “soccer” 😂😂), running, and pickle ball. I enjoy being competitive. I enjoy travelling, reading, and cooking as well.

What is your professional and educational background before Gilbert?

I got my bachelor’s degree in business engineering back in my home country, Peru , and my master’s degree in project management in the USA.

Previously, I have worked in the operation department of a framework and scaffolding company and in hotel businesses.

What’s a project you’ve been a part of or a problem that you’ve solved that you’re proud of?  And why! 

The trough tanks are huge tanks and always challenging to manage in all the stages of the project. They have so many components which makes them difficult to manage.

What are you most looking forward to over the next year?

Professionally: Gaining more experience, learning from good professionals, and looking forward to more challenges.

Personally: Do my best to be a better athlete and most important… being a better person.