Dedication Leads First-Generation Alum from Drexel to Dallas

Patrick Williams, PE, LEED AP (B.S. civil engineering '04) has always thrived in unfamiliar situations. From being the first in his family to attend college to moving halfway across the country to help grow Urban Engineers' footprint in the State of Texas, Williams has a knack for making the most out of new opportunities.

Williams had an affinity for science and math from an early age, and his passion for the subjects brought a particular career path into his orbit.

"I started hearing this word engineer in my youth, but I didn’t even know what an engineer really did. No one from my family had gone to college prior to myself, and no one was in that profession," he recalled. "I really dove into the high school advanced placement courses that would teach me more about it via Calculus, Physics, and more; and then started to look for colleges that had that curriculum."

Drexel's co-op program, which gives students professional experience during their academic career, sealed the deal. "Drexel was a no-brainer for obvious reasons, including the co-op,” he said. “If you tell me I can have three jobs already on my resume before I even graduate, my response is ‘Sign me up.'"

Initially interested in architectural engineering, Williams' first co-op with the City of Philadelphia steered him toward civil engineering. His second co-op cemented his passion for the field when he worked for global construction leader Bechtel Construction. "There simply existed more categories that one could jump into, whereas at the time, I perceived an architectural focus would be more centered around building facilities," he explained.

After graduating from Drexel, Williams embarked on a career path that kept him in Philadelphia for over a decade. He worked his way up at civil engineering firm Urban Engineers, managing projects at Philadelphia International Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Trenton-Mercer Airport.

When Urban wanted to expand their Southwest regional operations, they engaged Williams. Although the move away from his lifelong home meant once again stepping outside his comfort zone, the opportunity was too good to pass up.

"It was very much an opportunity that opened up a new ceiling for me," Williams said. In the six years since relocating to Texas, he has helped the company land major contracts with Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport. His aviation expertise and leadership led to him being named Associate Vice President and Southwest Regional Leader within just four years. As of 2024 he has been promoted to Vice President.

Today, Williams leads Urban Engineers' Southwest regional office from Dallas, Texas. He manages staff and secures new contracts, in addition to overseeing his own projects. "Now we're growing here with talented staff under my management, and it really is a perfect fit," he remarked.

Williams' active involvement with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) also helped ease his transition. He quickly rose through the leadership ranks of the ASCE's Dallas branch, serving as Texas Section Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Golf Chair, and currently Vice President.

“It definitely doesn’t feel like work,” Williams said of his volunteer time. “It’s more about getting together with other members of the civil engineering community and helping to promote STEM on all levels – high school, college, and professionally. It’s talking about what I love.”

In recognition of his professional accomplishments and his efforts to advocate for the civil engineering industry in Texas, Williams was recently named the 2023 Engineer of the Year by the ASCE's Dallas Branch. In 2021, he was also named one of the "40 Under 40" in Drexel Magazine. He also earned the same distinction for Engineering News-Recordfor the Texas and Louisiana Region; and then ultimately top 20 nationwide in their "Under 40" program.

Even two-plus decades after graduation, Williams continues giving back to Drexel as an alumni volunteer. He regularly flies back to Philadelphia to serve as a member of the Board of Governors of Drexel’s Alumni Association. "I’m very proud of my affiliation with Drexel," he said. "And giving back to the university that offered me quite a bit is something I’m very pleased to be able to do.”

Now an award-winning industry leader balancing staff management with securing millions of dollars-worth of contracts, Williams stays rooted in the multifaceted problem-solving foundation cultivated at Drexel. “The best thing was learning to juggle everything life threw at me,” he reflected. “Between the demanding curriculum, extracurriculars such as Crew and Greek Life, and attempting a social life, I built resilience by managing high stress levels and understanding how to prioritize.”

The ability to strategically prioritize and balance competing demands serves him to this day. Through lifelong dedication to the responsibilities bestowed on him, with resilience and a solutions-focused mindset honed at Drexel, Williams persists in pioneering new opportunities while paving the way for both personal and professional success.