2009 30 under 40 winners

Adam Ohlenkamp, 27

Project engineer, Chicago Heights Glass Inc., South Holland, Ill. 

With a degree in computer graphics, specializing in construction, Ohlenkamp figured he would work for a home builder or an architectural firm. When he saw a job posting seeking his skills at a glass company, he pursued the opportunity and found his current career. He finds that sweating the details in the beginning of a project can lead to fewer problems down the road. “From my perspective relating to engineering, I feel that successful projects start with more than average front-end involvement. By this I mean proactively identifying potential issues and finding solutions early.”

Having been out of college for nearly six years, Ohlenkamp says he’s learned a thing or two about the demands of a career. “[I wish I had known] the realistic definitions of multi-tasking and time management. Both skill levels were highly underestimated before I began working after college.”

One-word description of the glass industry: Evolutionary
One-word description of self: Meticulous
Career history: 2004-present, project engineer, Chicago Heights Glass Inc., South Holland, Ill.
Education: 2003, Bachelor of Science, computer graphics technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
Diversions: Spending time with family, Web surfing, music, football, personal growth and development, home projects
Family: Wife, Shannon
Favorite book: “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen R. Covey
If a movie were made about your life, who would you cast to play you? “I’ve been told I look like Brendan Fraser.”
Connections: 16500 Vincennes Road, South Holland, IL, 60473, 708/333-4525, aohlenkamp@chicagoheightsglass.com, www.chicagoheightsglass.com

 
Return to main page