Communication is essential for any project to go well. From colleagues to clients and the public, detailing information in a clear and concise way creates, strengthens, and maintains relationships with people.
As a Communications Specialist II, Mario Mellinger is dedicated to keeping a clear line of communication between the many different people that help complete our projects. He bridges the gap in information dissemination between all of those involved.
“The difficulty lies in the fact that the people with the most intricate understanding of this infrastructure may not always be able to find the best way to communicate this level of understanding to the massive amount of people their project impacts,” says Mario.
In the transportation and infrastructure industries, it’s imperative for everyone to be on the same page and utilize their specializations to get the best outcome. It’s Mario’s job to ensure that everyone involved in a project, no matter their area of expertise, understands the big picture. “The more we put into these efforts, the more we learn for the greater good of information exchange, and a more educated and interested public.”
In Mario’s opinion, being able to connect with people is tantamount to overall well-being. He’s felt that connection with McCormick Taylor staff since joining the company in 2015.
“From early on,” Mario says, “my supervisors and co-workers were very active in making sure I felt comfortable taking on new things. They helped prepare and coach me along the way in areas foreign to me, and the sentiment was always the same—try new things, go out of your comfort zone, and we will be here to help you as you learn.”
Mario is currently working with the PennDOT Office of Public-Private Transportation Partnerships (P3 Office) on various outreach efforts to engage and educate both the public/industry and PennDOT employees on P3s as a transportation project procurement method. The implementation of the P3 method allows for greater innovation and could open a breadth of transportation opportunities in Pennsylvania.
