DAS Employee Spotlight Peter Austin

Name: Peter Austin, P.E.
Title: Assistant Director of Project Management
Department of Administrative Services 
Office: Construction Services

 
1. Can you share your current role and key responsibilities within the State of Connecticut?

I’m an Assistant Director of Project Management within the RECS – Construction Services group.  My group is responsible for building construction and renovation projects for state facilities for my client agencies: the DAS – Facilities Management group, which oversees the state office buildings, the Judicial Branch, and the Department of Labor.  I’m the primary interface between Construction Services and my client agencies.  I’m heavily involved in assisting the client agencies in initiating their larger building projects; once initiated, the projects are turned over to the project managers I oversee for design and construction.

2. What motivated you to pursue a career with the State of Connecticut, and what has been your journey here? 

I spent thirty years designing commercial HVAC systems and managing commercial design projects for a variety of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering design firms.  Over time, more and more small engineering firms were bought out. I kept an eye out for a position with a more stable future and greater longevity.  This position has provided this..

3. Could you share a memorable travel experience and what made that destination special for you? 

I recently returned from a trip to Europe with my wife and younger daughter, where we spent time in Dublin, Barcelona, and Paris.  My older daughter was doing a college semester abroad in Barcelona and traveled with us as well.  Seeing her again after a while is part of what made the trip special.  The history in the old European cities is absolutely amazing.  My favorite part of the trip was the dinner cruise on the Seine with all the monuments illuminated.  The views were stunning.

4. What advice would you give to someone considering a career with the State of Connecticut? 

The State’s hiring system is significantly different from the private sector.  And the work-life balance they promote is wonderful.

5. What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of your work, and how do they enrich your life? 

I enjoy racing sailboats.  This provides both mental and physical challenges and good times with friends and family.  There’s also great camaraderie among the sailing community.  My racing season starts at the beginning of March and ends in mid-December, and consists of 80 to 90 races in four different series

6. What’s your favorite spot in Connecticut, and what makes it special to you? 

Noank, which is at the mouth of the Mystic River on the Groton side.  Not only is it a picturesque New England town, but I also spend a lot of time there as I’ve been sailing out of Noank for 30 years.

7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it to make a difference? 

I’d like to be able to control the weather.  I should say something altruistic here, like I’d halt global warming or stop the flooding on the west coast and southeast, but I’d really just like to win more sailing races.

8. What’s an interesting or fun fact?