Meet Jacob Volcensek, a new Assistant Project Manager at EEI Building Performance, based in Columbus, Ohio.In this Q&A, Jacob shares his educational background, early career experiences, and what led him to building performance and commissioning. He also talks about why EEI’s culture stood out to him and how his passion for understanding complex systems carries beyond work, whether he’s on a jobsite or exploring hiking and mountain biking trails in his free time.
Q. Can you tell me about your background and what you studied?
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering. I was drawn to the program because it bridges engineering and business, with a focus on improving processes, products, and organizations. While industrial engineering is often associated with manufacturing, I learned that the discipline can be applied across many industries to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Q. What experiences led you toward building performance or energy efficiency work?
I’ve been fortunate to gain experience in a variety of roles, including working as a program management intern within Dell Technologies’ IT organization, a Dry Etch Process Engineer at Intel’s fabrication facilities in Arizona, and a Layout Industrial Engineer within Intel’s Strategic Planning department. These experiences helped prepare me for the work I do today.
Learning the tool qualification process at Intel and supporting facilities layout coordination sparked my interest in building performance. I enjoyed standardizing processes for bringing manufacturing equipment into production and learning how different building systems work together to support an entire facility. That exposure made transitioning into building commissioning at EEI feel like a natural next step.
Q. Tell me about your role at EEI and why did you choose to work at here?
I’m an Assistant Project Manager working on building performance projects, including the commissioning of mechanical, electrical, and civil systems and equipment. In this role, I act as a consultant to our clients, helping ensure building systems are installed and operating as intended.
I chose EEI because of their people‑first mindset, commitment to employee growth, and emphasis on work‑life balance really stood out to me. As an employee‑owned company, there’s a clear sense of pride and shared responsibility, and I appreciate being part of an organization that genuinely cares about its people.
Q. What are you most excited about working on or learning in your role at EEI?
The buildings! I’ve always had a strong interest in architecture and in understanding how complex systems work, and building commissioning brings those interests together. I enjoy visiting project sites and seeing firsthand how our work contributes to efficient, high‑quality buildings at project completion. This role has already deepen my understanding of how engineering consulting works in practice.
Q. How do you see your career developing here over the next few years? What skills do you hope to grow?
Over the next few years, I hope to continue building experience and confidence so I can independently manage projects. I’m especially interested in developing my mechanical and electrical engineering skills, as I enjoy learning new concepts and applying them in real‑world situations. Whether it’s understanding the proper operation of an air handler or learning how a building automation system is programmed, my goal is to become an expert in how buildings operate.
Q. Where would you like to be professionally in five years?
In five years, I’d like to be a strong leader within the company and be more involved in the strategic planning side of the business. I also hope to work on increasingly complex projects, particularly those connected to my background in manufacturing and process‑based systems.
Q. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I really enjoy spending time outdoors, especially hiking and mountain biking whenever I can. Ohio is home to Hocking Hills State Park, which offers beautiful hiking year‑round, along with some surprisingly fun mountain bike trails featuring rock gardens, root sections, and technical features. I’ve also had the chance to visit ski resorts out West during the summer to ride downhill mountain bike trails, which are equal parts exhilarating and intimidating.