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Cheryl Jackson represents a unique and powerful perspective at HNTB—she is currently serving in the Army National Guard while building her civilian career as a field engineer. Commissioned through ROTC at Michigan Technological University in December 2022, Cheryl now serves with E Company, 3‑238th General Support Aviation Battalion in Grand Ledge, Michigan, where she has progressed through leadership roles including Platoon Leader, Battalion Logistics Officer (S4), and Company Commander.

Across each of these roles, Cheryl’s focus has been consistent: operational readiness, resource coordination, and leading teams in complex, fast‑moving environments. “While every role has different technical demands, the foundation is people leadership,” she shares. “My responsibility is always to ensure Soldiers are prepared to execute the mission.”

That leadership experience has translated seamlessly to her work at HNTB. As a field engineer in the CEI group, Cheryl applies the same adaptability, planning discipline, and accountability she relies on in uniform. “In both construction and the military, conditions change constantly,” she explains. “You have to stay goal‑oriented while collaborating with new teams, new clients, and new challenges.”

A pivotal moment in Cheryl’s leadership journey came during a recent mobilization overseas. There, she was responsible for logistics forecasting, personnel and equipment movement, and maintaining real‑time estimates for senior leaders—all in a rapidly shifting operational environment. “Two lessons really stayed with me,” she says. “First, no leader is an island. Relying on peers and mentors isn’t a weakness—it’s essential. Second, open communication at every level is the only way to navigate complexity.”

Those lessons guide how Cheryl approaches her work at HNTB today. Whether interpreting plans and specifications on a job site or tracking progress against future milestones, she sees strong parallels between military operations and infrastructure delivery. “The focus on standards, precision, and planning feels very familiar. Both roles are about getting the details right so the mission—or project—can succeed.”

Culturally, Cheryl found HNTB to be a natural fit. “The military is mission driven. At HNTB, the end state is delivering a successful project,” she explains. “Having that clear North Star made the transition feel natural.” She also sees alignment between the Army’s ‘Be, Know, Do’ leadership philosophy and HNTB’s Sophisticated Sales and 4for4 frameworks—both emphasizing integrity, technical excellence, and disciplined execution.

Now more than three years into her HNTB career—including three internships during college—Cheryl credits the firm’s commitment to development and quality as key reasons she’s stayed. “HNTB doesn’t just accommodate my National Guard service—they actively support it,” she shares. “My project assignments are aligned with my Guard responsibilities, and I’ve been given resources to pursue my PE license and professional growth.”

Her advice to fellow service members is clear: “Find a company that sees your military service as an asset and respects the commitment that comes with continued service. That mutual investment is what makes a civilian career truly sustainable.”

For Cheryl, serving in uniform and serving communities through infrastructure are not separate paths—they’re part of the same mission. “I wanted a career where leadership, accountability, and service mattered,” she says. “At HNTB, I found a place where I can do both.”

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