Under the Hard Hat with Wesley Pincince

At Clark, we are proud to be made up of individuals from various backgrounds and talents who thrive and succeed together. Our “Under the Hard Hat” series is designed to showcase the diverse people who make up the Clark team. 

We recently sat down with Wesley Pincince, a project engineer at Clark, to learn about how his background brought him to Clark.

Tell us about your background.

My dad was a construction worker, so I grew up around construction from a young age and followed in his footsteps doing home repairs, apartment renovations, and specialty projects before I joined the Marine Corps in 2018. I worked in the Engineer and Utilities field as a Water Support Technician, helping to purify and supply water for Marines in remote areas. 

What type of project are you currently working on? What are your responsibilities?

I am currently working on the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center addition project. When I first started on this project, I worked night shifts overseeing the installation of precast and glass. I now oversee all skin operations and work with the safety team to ensure we meet all environmental requirements. 

What brought you to Clark?

My brother-in-law works for Clark as an assistant superintendent and connected me with the Clark team. I had a unique interest in the Walter Reed project as I lived on the Walter Reed military base as a patient and walked past the project every day. The idea of being a part of building the addition to the hospital where I am a patient was a large part of the reason that I was drawn to working for Clark. 

What, if any, obstacles did you overcome to get where you are today professionally?

While in the Marine Corps, I had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and battled with a brain tumor and brain cancer. I didn’t know if I would ever be able to work in a professional setting again as a disabled veteran, but Clark has been a great place to work, and feel supported as I continue to receive treatment while pursuing my professional career. 

What are you most proud of accomplishing, either personally or professionally?

Personally, I am very proud to have served in the United States Marine Corps and compete on the United States Men’s Paralympic soccer team. Professionally, I am proud to be working on this world-class hospital for those that serve our country. It is an extremely unique opportunity and I consider myself lucky to be a small part of it. 

What advice do you have for someone looking to start a career in construction?

Talk to people that work in construction. Ask questions, find mentors, and learn from those who have been in the industry for years. They have knowledge from multiple projects and years of experience that they can pass on to you if you are willing to put yourself out there.

What does "Thrive as You, Succeed Together” mean to you?

To me, “Thrive as You” means never settling, always working on growing your career, and having goals that you are working towards. “Succeed Together” means that being the best version of yourself makes you an even stronger asset to your team. A team with different thoughts and views can take on challenges and overcome obstacles while working together towards a common goal.