Trailblazing Engineering

Patrick Fiveash is the East Tennessee design department leader in Gresham Smith’s Transportation market. He joined the firm’s Knoxville office in 2013 as a senior transportation engineer. In his role, Patrick has contributed to a number of important roadway projects in East Tennessee, including the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) second diverging diamond interchange located in Sevier County.

Previously, Patrick worked at a local Knoxville-based engineering firm until it was acquired by a much larger competitor. After the companies merged, he sensed a change in culture that prompted him to consider a new opportunity. That’s when he was approached by Gresham Smith’s East Tennessee Area State Transportation Leader Jason Brady, who pitched him on the idea of coming to a firm that was a major transportation player in the state and also placed a heavy emphasis on people and culture.

Patrick took their advice and began taking on new responsibilities, including project management, business development and client management. At the same time, he was able to keep doing what he loved—day-to-day engineering and problem-solving. Today, Patrick serves as the roadway design group leader in East Tennessee, and he was named an owner of the firm in 2023.

“It’s cool when people see something in you, push you in a new direction and it works out,” says Patrick. “I love my new role, my team and my relationship with clients.”

For Patrick, it’s not just about the work. His connection to Gresham Smith stems from the many opportunities he’s had to be engaged outside of the office. He recently finished the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Tennessee Leadership PE Course, where he had the opportunity to travel around the state and learn from other leaders in the field about how they approach leadership, build effective teams and manage conflicts. He’s also served as a director on ACEC’s Knoxville chapter and as president of the Tennessee section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

“For me, I feel like I’m heard,” says Patrick. “I’m not a robot making money for a firm. When I want to do something for the growth of my career, it’s accepted. We’re better as humans when we learn from each other.”

Through his various industry roles, Patrick has discovered another passion: engaging with and encouraging the next generation to consider careers in engineering. He takes opportunities wherever he can find them—whether it’s speaking to middle schoolers about what it’s like to be an engineer or mentoring college students who are already interested in the profession.

Last year, Patrick secured money through Gresham Smith’s GIVE committee to provide STEM education at a Knoxville middle school and expose a diverse student body to the field of civil engineering. He’s also involved in a number of initiatives at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Civil Engineering department. Patrick mentors UT seniors who are majoring in engineering, and he’s involved in the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers chapter, which focuses on empowering the Hispanic community to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.

“When I see kids who are bright and curious and not familiar with engineering, I want to show them that there’s a path for them to do this,” says Patrick. “My goal is to show these kids that anyone, no matter their background, can be an engineer.”