Beyond Screens: Navigating Professional Frontiers with Euriel Thwaites
By Darra Kubera, Director of Communications
January 16, 2024
Embarking on the modern frontier of professional connectivity, I was recently able to delve into the narrative of Euriel Thwaites III, a dynamic individual whose story unfolded against the digital backdrop of a virtual interview. In an era where screens have become portals to one another, Euriel emerges as a testament to adaptability and resilience. He has effortlessly navigated the nuances of the construction and job order contracting industry, showcasing not only technical prowess but an innate ability to forge meaningful connections (whether that be traveling for in-person meetings or through the lens of a virtual meeting). This is his story, a narrative that encapsulates the essence of contemporary professionalism.
“I began my college journey at Hampton University, studying engineering, which became my ‘home by the sea’ until I later transferred to Temple University in my hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to major in criminal justice. As a child, my father owned a lot of rental properties, and we handled most of the construction ourselves. I continued working in real estate and construction while in college; balancing two full time jobs and my education was pretty demanding but it taught me the value of hard work.”
At the young age of twenty-two, Euriel’s hard work paid off and he purchased his first home. His second home was a full renovation, which continued to pique his interest in the realm of construction. “In my previous role, I oversaw the Home Accessibility – Durable Medical Equipment (HADME) department while managing the coordination of $3.5M of home modifications and mechanical equipment installation. I partnered with clients, subcontractors, regulatory personnel, medical directors, and others to ensure full safety and efficiency in the homes of elderly and disabled patients. My responsibilities included approving contractor bid proposals, reviewing statements of work, managing project budgets, and building strategic plans to streamline project timelines. We installed necessary home adaptations like bathroom and kitchen modifications, exterior changes like elevator lifts, wheelchair lifts, and stair lifts — all through their insurance. These necessary services for those in need are some that my own grandfather could have used when he fell ill, but at the time we didn’t know his insurance would cover such services. Using the knowledge I had from residential construction, I was able to seamlessly make the transition to healthcare. It was immensely satisfying to help those in need, knowing I can make a difference for people like my grandfather.”
So what brought you to FOS? “I saw the opportunity with FOS would include a lot of travel, and I have a keen interest in traveling. I actually got my first passport when I was just three years old — you literally see my dad’s fingers from him holding me up in the picture, but I’m all smiles. So as a child we always travelled and as I got older, I continued that tradition. Last year I ventured abroad a lot — South Africa, Morocco, and Dubai. This year I went to Antigua and Arizona. If you are looking for a quick getaway trip, I absolutely loved Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona.”
Working as an account manager for our Simplebid® job order contracting (JOC) and rapid procurement software platform, Euriel says he appreciates the flexibility our software offers to enable him to effectively manage multiple clients. “Coming to FOS, working with Simplebid®, we have a lot of tools that we need to do our jobs right in the palm of our hands. It’s called Simplebid® for a reason — it’s a simple way to dig into a large cost book and that tool combined with the members of this team really allows us to service our clients and the contractors we support.”
Euriel’s day-to-day involves connecting project logistics to the people that are JOC users. Public entities such as government agencies, higher education institutions, housing authorities, public works and transportation departments, K12 school districts, public healthcare providers, and more are the most frequent users of JOC.
While public entities are the traditional users of JOC procurement, the private sector could easily apply a similar approach. Because private organizations are not subject to procurement code, there are components of the JOC process that may be modified to better suit different needs. “The Simplebid® platform can easily support JOC and other rapid construction procurement methods for private entities. And our team that helps you every step of the way is just the best.”
Euriel’s fondness for this team was formed right at the start of his tenure, when training with Paul Burns turned into an outing at a Philadelphia Phillie’s baseball game. “That was a great time. We even ran into one of Philadelphia’s biggest fanatics — he goes to Eagle’s games in whole uniform, face paint, shoulder pads, a mohawk — you name it he’s got it. We took a picture with him, but even without the photo evidence I’ll never forget that experience.”
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