Rising Stars 2022: Erica Antoine

Erica Antoine, 36

Project manager, Burns Engineering Inc. 

Nominator’s quote: “As a project manager for Burns, Erica has been enhancing the rail public-transit experience of the most impactful stations projects in Philadelphia, including the one-of-a-kind restoration of Franklin Square Station. Erica set the vision for the restoration of this station.” — Thomas Clayton Payne, Burns Engineering

Education: B.S. in civil engineering; B.S. in architectural engineering; certificate, engineering management, Drexel University.

Job responsibilities: Responsible for a multidisciplinary team of engineers and professionals who have delivered over $200 million in railroad and transit projects. Regular duties include project management, technical oversight, mentorship, business development and client relation activities.

Career path: Interned at the city of Philadelphia’s aviation division, which exposed me to design consulting and Burns Engineering. Joined the Burns team for two additional internships and worked part time in the firm’s facilities and infrastructure group while in school. After graduation, hired full time at Burns’ railroad and transit group.

How did you get into the railroad industry? My first project was for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Today, I am personally responsible for maintaining all of Burns’ services and client satisfaction for SEPTA. I also manage projects for Amtrak, Delaware River Port Authority/Port Authority Transit Corp., New Jersey Transit and Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority.

What is the best career advice you’ve received? “Do what you say you'll do.” Simple, yet powerful. But it is how I have earned my reputation as a trusted partner for major projects and opened [the] door for unique (and fun) opportunities.

“Embrace failure and criticism.” A strong leadership characteristic is how you recover from mistakes. Some of my most valuable lessons are based on failures, the persistence to try again and the determination to make things right.

What advice would you give to a new railroader? Always seek opportunities to challenge yourself and learn something new, such as [working on] a project, helping someone outside your team, taking advantage of field and site visits or volunteering for a professional organization.

What was your first job? A licensed International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) soccer referee at age 14. I’ve officiated recreational and competitive youth and adult soccer matches up and down the East Coast. This job taught me how to make tough decisions and mitigate conflict, and the importance of loving what you do.

Describe a fun fact about yourself. Fun Fact No. 1: I have a distinct laugh. Your mission: Meet me in person and tell a funny joke. Fun Fact No. 2: My birthday is on Halloween, my favorite holiday. What kid (and adult) wouldn’t love a day where they get to dress up, receive candy, have everyone sing to them, eat cake and ice cream and open gifts?

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Home improvement projects and furniture restoration. Each project involves the things I enjoy most: problem solving, art/creativity and the process of creating a vision and executing the project successfully. It’s fun to involve the entire family, making memories with a little hard work and sweat.

How has the pandemic changed your views of your career and life in general? The pandemic has changed my approach to work-life balance and flexibility. I appreciate the office atmosphere to collaborate with co-workers and quickly respond to client needs on-site. I appreciate the access and connectivity of technology, working from anywhere with the ability to coach [my] daughter’s soccer team, video chat co-working across the country and collaborate on documents simultaneously.