Photography by Jason Miller
Interview by Jennifer Proe
Who: Joe Comar
Where: Malvern neighborhood
Business: Manager of Civil/Municipal Engineering for The Mannik & Smith
Group (MSG), located at Chagrin Boulevard and Warrensville Center Road in
Tower East. MSG offers a full array of engineering consulting services for both
the public and private sectors. The company has offices in Ohio and Michigan.
Mission: Above all, to be trustworthy with a service mindset and positive
attitude. We believe that taking an ownership approach to challenges is the key to
developing successful outcomes.
What I Love About My Work: I especially enjoy the process of building
and developing a sustainable infrastructure to enhance the experience of those
who live within it. Part of that process also includes building up the people you
work with. Everything we do is a reflection of us. It’s a privilege to help people
uncover and tap their strengths, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Personal Background: I grew up in Okemos, Michigan and graduated
from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Civil Engineering. After
graduation I reported aboard the USCG Cutter Valiant in Miami Beach, and
was involved in search-and-rescue and counter-narcotic operations in the
Caribbean. ¶ Since then, I have served in a variety of civil engineering and
facility management roles, most recently as executive officer of the Coast
Guard Civil Engineering Unit located in downtown Cleveland. My wife
Kathryn and I have five children – three girls and two boys, ages 2-14.
On Working and Living in Shaker Heights: This is an outstanding
environment to grow in as family. It truly supports an optimum work-life
balance. We really enjoy the proximity and access to all of Shaker’s amenities.
The people of Shaker are the heart of the community and it seems that around
every corner there is something new to learn and discover.
¶ We love the fact that Shaker is so walkable. We enjoy walking as a family
through all the parks and streets of Shaker, taking in all of the stunning
architecture and beautiful scenery. We invariably bump into our friends and
neighbors who are doing the same thing, which adds to the fun and keeps us
connected with them as well. It’s great to have St. Dominic Parish, where we
belong, practically outside our front door. ¶ Our favorites restaurants include
all the new Van Aken District restaurants. We also love J. Pistone for lunch and
Juma for coffee. The perfect weekend outing for our family would include a jog
around Horseshoe Lake, taking the Green Line downtown for a sporting event
(go Browns/Cavs/Indians!) followed by Mass and donut Sunday
at St. Dominic.
Contact:
The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.
20600 Chagrin Boulevard
Suite 500, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
P: 216-378-1490 x 8002 SL
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