Employee Spotlight:
Dave Rousseau
Exceptional people build a great business; as a service-based consultancy, our people are our brand. OCMI continues our employee spotlight series, highlighting individuals within our firm who impact clients, projects, and fellow employees daily. This month, we spotlight Dave Rousseau, Senior Cost Manager. He works alongside a talented management team to oversee client relationships, team operations, and project workload while leading OCMI’s Mechanical Department in the Rockville office. He takes pride in fostering a collaborative culture where the team consistently delivers high-quality results, supports one another, and enjoys the camaraderie that makes the group successful. Follow below to learn more about Dave!
“I’ve never believed in being a lone wolf; I’m at my best when I’m surrounded by good people, learning from them while also helping them grow.”
Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in your field?
A: I’d say the career chose me as much as I chose it. After graduating from college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but an opportunity to work for a subcontractor introduced me to the construction industry and an outstanding mentor who taught me the fundamentals of estimating and reading plans. Learning the trade from the ground up gave me a strong appreciation for the industry, and my detail-oriented mindset made it a natural fit. What started as an unexpected opportunity turned into a career I’ve truly enjoyed ever since.
Q: What do you think makes you unique as a team member?
A: I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m unique I don’t see myself as someone who’s special compared to everyone else. What I do bring to a team is the ability to listen, retain details, and understand different perspectives, whether they come from a client, an owner, or the team. Because I’ve been in those roles myself, I try to lead and manage with empathy and treat people the way I wanted to be treated. I’ve never believed in being a lone wolf; I’m at my best when I’m surrounded by good people, learning from them while also helping them grow.
Q: What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned through your career?
A: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success comes down to listening and paying close attention to detail. In estimating, the smallest note or specification on a drawing can have a massive impact on a project’s cost, and overlooking it can create serious consequences for the client, the owner, and your own credibility. Early in my career, I learned that a single assumption about a concrete specification could have resulted in a multimillion-dollar mistake. That experience reinforced the idea that the devil is in the details, and taking the time to fully understand the scope and listen to the client is critical to delivering accurate results.
Q: Who are some of your biggest influences?
A: My biggest influences have been the mentors I’ve been lucky enough to have throughout my career. From my very first job in the concrete subcontracting industry to later roles where I learned structural, architectural and civil working at the WTC, to now mechanical estimating which is what I ultimately fell in love with. I was fortunate to work with experienced professionals who took the time to teach me and share their knowledge. Their willingness to invest in my growth shaped not only my technical skills but also my approach to leadership. Because of what they did for me, I’ve made it a priority to pay it forward by mentoring others and helping the next generation develop their own careers.
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work? We heard you were in a band!
A: Outside of work, I like to stay active and spend time doing things that keep me balanced. Family first and foremost and being a dad to a special needs child. I enjoy golfing and working out, as fitness has become a big focus for me over the past few years. I also value spending time with friends and being social whenever I can.
Music has been a big part of my life as well. I’ve played guitar since I was a kid and was in a band back when I lived in New York. We even played shows and had some radio time. I still play, along with a bit of piano, but it’s more of a personal hobby now since priorities have changed and I don’t really have a group to play with anymore. Most of all, I just enjoy having outlets outside of work that keep me grounded.
