NAME: Donald Russell Hocking, or as they love to call me here – “The Don”
TITLE: Senior Mechanical Engineer
OFFICE: Salisbury, MD
YEARS AT A + S: 18
Tell us a little about yourself. Family, hobbies, etc.
My wife Lora and I have been married for 45 years. We have three grown children and two grandchildren. (All of them live in Salisbury, except our oldest who lives in upstate New York.) We enjoy traveling and staying along the coast, and our bucket list still includes a trip to Alaska. I enjoy single-player strategy computer games and my hobby focuses on HO trains and the layout I have been expanding in my man cave.
If a client project is like going to the moon, what’s your role in that mission? Are you in the space shuttle or at mission control?
Navigational liaison at mission control to aid in staying on course.
How has the project planning structure at A + S allowed you to do your best work while also integrating the best input from the rest of the team?
Identifying scope early and providing feedback to the clients as soon as possible to have a clear path forward. This is done mainly by the project manager but with full input from the entire team. This makes it easier to get acknowledgment when scope changes.
Tell us about a time when you really saw the power of teamwork in action at A + S.
As we worked through the Wharf projects from multiple offices, a lot of the work appeared seamless even though there were distinct differences in scope.
What is your best memory during your time here at Allen + Shariff? What will you miss the most? What is one piece of advice you would give to a new team member that would help them be successful?
I was in a terrible accident in 2008, and the company from the leadership down came to our aid while I was going through the healing process and was out on disability. I will never forget it, and it showed that we are more than just a company and that there are personal aspects at work.
I will miss the Salisbury staff the most, as we have really become a family extension.
Advice would include never stop learning, get your license as soon as possible, and do not be afraid to ask questions.
What’s your favorite space-themed movie or show? Who’s your favorite character?
Star Trek – Spock.
NAME: Donald Russell Hocking, or as they love to call me here – “The Don”
TITLE: Senior Mechanical Engineer
OFFICE: Salisbury, MD
YEARS AT A + S: 18
Tell us a little about yourself. Family, hobbies, etc.
My wife Lora and I have been married for 45 years. We have three grown children and two grandchildren. (All of them live in Salisbury, except our oldest who lives in upstate New York.) We enjoy traveling and staying along the coast, and our bucket list still includes a trip to Alaska. I enjoy single-player strategy computer games and my hobby focuses on HO trains and the layout I have been expanding in my man cave.
If a client project is like going to the moon, what’s your role in that mission? Are you in the space shuttle or at mission control?
Navigational liaison at mission control to aid in staying on course.
How has the project planning structure at A + S allowed you to do your best work while also integrating the best input from the rest of the team?
Identifying scope early and providing feedback to the clients as soon as possible to have a clear path forward. This is done mainly by the project manager but with full input from the entire team. This makes it easier to get acknowledgment when scope changes.
Tell us about a time when you really saw the power of teamwork in action at A + S.
As we worked through the Wharf projects from multiple offices, a lot of the work appeared seamless even though there were distinct differences in scope.
What is your best memory during your time here at Allen + Shariff? What will you miss the most? What is one piece of advice you would give to a new team member that would help them be successful?
I was in a terrible accident in 2008, and the company from the leadership down came to our aid while I was going through the healing process and was out on disability. I will never forget it, and it showed that we are more than just a company and that there are personal aspects at work.
I will miss the Salisbury staff the most, as we have really become a family extension.
Advice would include never stop learning, get your license as soon as possible, and do not be afraid to ask questions.
What’s your favorite space-themed movie or show? Who’s your favorite character?
Star Trek – Spock.