Sam Sleiman
Executive Vice President, National Transportation
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Years at Suffolk:
4 year(s)
Past Employer/Position:
Director of Capital Programs and Environmental Affairs at Massachusetts Port Authority
Years in the Industry:
41 year(s)
Awards
- Outstanding Alumni Award, Northeastern University Civil Engineering Alumni Organization (May 2018)
- Honorary Doctorate of Engineering, Wentworth Institutes of Technology (April 2018)
- 2017 Inductee to the CMAA College of Fellows (FCMAA)
- 2016 Inductee to the National Academy of Construction (NAC)
- ENR Top 25 News Maker Award of Excellence (2009)
- 2020 Inductee to The Moles
Boards
- National Board for Construction Management Association of America (CMAA); Chairman 2014-2015
- Airport Council International (ACI); Chairman of the Operation and Technical Committee, 2011-2013
- Northeastern University’s Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Industrial Advisory Board
What is the most exciting thing about working in this business? What is your professional passion?
Building transportation facilities that help serve and transport millions of people and goods across the nation and the globe is one of the most satisfying aspects of my profession. My passion is to serve the greater good by making sure the airports, ports, and transit facilities that we build are safe, secure, customer-friendly, and ready to serve the diverse populations that use them on a daily basis.
What do you love to do when you aren’t at work? What is your personal passion and why?
I like to play golf and spend time with family and friends. What give me the greatest satisfaction is when I can help someone in my personal life to succeed in their professional and personal lives.
What is your favorite app and why?
My favorite app is WhatsApp because it allows great communication with family and friends overseas, especially during the last year.
What innovation have you seen in the construction industry that has made the most impact? Where do you see the opportunity for further innovation?
Innovations in construction are many, but I believe that BIM has allowed the most advancement in our business and made the construction industry and process much more efficient. The construction industry is ready for many innovative opportunities from robotics to data analytics software that help us work smarter, not harder.
What sport did you play and how did it help you professionally?
I played soccer in my youth. It really gave me the foundation to know what it’s like to be part of the team.
What book has helped you most in your career?
Many books have helped me throughout my career, including “Who Moved My Cheese,” “The First 90 Days,” and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” but the one book that resonates the most with me is “Elevate” by Robert Glazer.
Who was your mentor/biggest influence and what did they teach you?
I had many mentors over the years and I have derived my guiding principles from them: integrity above all, excellence in everything you do, and service beyond self.
If you could have lunch with someone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My dad. He was my mentor and hero. He passed away at a young age and I would love to thank him for all his sacrifices that he made for me to be successful.
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