#Duckumentary - Matthew Mortimer

What’s a misconception people have about what you do for a living?

As a lawyer, people often assume I will know the answer to every legal question immediately. While law school provides exposure to many areas of the law, in practice no one knows everything. A big part of being an attorney is knowing how to research issues, analyze risks, and find the right answer.

Was there a moment at EDA — big or small — that made you feel like you were in the right place?

Honestly, when I was preparing for my interview and learning about EDA’s culture, I had a feeling it was somewhere I would love to work. But the moment that really confirmed it was my introductory lunch on my first day. I had the opportunity to meet the estimating team, and throughout the day people from across the company went out of their way to stop by my desk and introduce themselves. It immediately showed me how welcoming and supportive the culture is here.

What’s your go-to sandwich order?

You can never go wrong with a Philly cheesesteak with Cooper Sharp and fried onions.

What motivates you at work?

I’ve always been motivated by taking pride in my work. Since joining EDA, though, I’ve found even more motivation in helping the people I work with every day and contributing to the success of the EDA Way.

If you could have dinner with anyone (past or present), who would it be?

Chase Utley (present) and George Washington (past). They perfectly capture my two strongest interests: baseball and history. I'd love to hear stories from the 2008 Phillies and about the founding of the United States.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself since joining EDA?

I’ve learned just how limited my handyman skills really are. Reading scopes of work and hearing our field (and some office) employees talk about what they accomplish every day is incredibly impressive and often reminds me that the pinnacle of my own handy work might be successfully changing a light bulb.

What’s a movie or TV show you could watch over and over?

That’s a tough one because there are so many. But Band of Brothers is a miniseries I rewatch at least once a year and Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia is another show I watch religiously.

What does Successful Together look like to you in your role?

In my role, Successful Together means working closely with estimating, operations, finance, and other teams to identify risks, solve problems, and avoid issues before they impact a project. The best outcomes happen when everyone works together and brings their perspective to the table.

What’s one musical artist or podcast you couldn’t live without?

Billy Strings. For anyone who hasn't heard of him, the fact that I'm also a big Grateful Dead fan will probably make a lot of sense.

What’s one small thing that can instantly make your workday better?  

After spending years working in law firms, one thing that instantly makes my day better is seeing the smiling faces of coworkers who genuinely enjoy what they do and enjoy working with each other. That positive energy is contagious.