Owen Krauss, Structural Engineer and Family Man

Owen Krauss and family

1.  What drew you to Hoyle, Tanner?
The reputation of Hoyle, Tanner, their work in Maine, and the employee culture all drew me here.
2. What’s something invaluable you’ve learned here?
The importance of listening and asking for opinions. Every challenge in a project does not have just one answer, and a collaboration of different perspectives often leads to more innovative and efficient solutions.
3. What’s your favorite time of year to work at Hoyle, Tanner?
Summer/construction season. The ability to work with our contractors to problem solve on the fly is not only an interesting part of the job, but it also provides an opportunity to see and understand new issues in the field to be considered in future projects.
4. What’s the coolest thing you are working on?
I enjoy working on projects in my home state and seeing them develop from a preliminary design to a final product. One of the bridges we are working on now is one our family often travels over on our way to camp.
5. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you so far this week?
Hugs from my daughters are always the highlight of my week.
6. How many different states have you lived in?
1- Maine
7. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
Steak and mashed potatoes and an appetizer of street tacos.
8. What kind of pet do you have and how did you choose to name it?
I have two dogs, Jada and Oliver. Jada was named on a road trip by going through the alphabet with names (boring). My wife named my other dog Oliver.
9. What is a fun or interesting fact about your hometown?
The Yarmouth Clam Festival, an annual town festival with lots of activities and BBQ reunions with our local friends and family. The festival includes road races, bikes races, clam shucking competitions, and a local fireman’s muster.  
10. What are three things still left on your bucket list
1. Go to space
2. Play at Augusta National Golf Club
3. Get my pilot’s license

11. Name three items you’d take with you to a desert island.
1. A knife
2. Flint
3. A good rope

12. What characteristic do you admire most in others?
Loyalty
13. How old is the oldest item in your closet?
An old tie from my father, probably from the 70s.
14. Words to live by? Favorite Quote?
“Well, I ain’t always right, but I’ve never been wrong. Seldom turns out the way it does in a song. Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right” – Grateful Dead
15. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I still don’t know – probably an NFL player or CIA operative.
16. If you were to skydive from an airplane what would you think about on the way down?
I have been skydiving before in Millinocket, ME. Before pulling the parachute I just enjoyed the ride. After I gazed on the vast wilderness of Northern Maine, taking in the beauty of the trees, streams, lakes, and mountains. It made me appreciate being able to live here.