Don Young has 44 years of construction and program management experience for large-scale programs, including Department of Defense facilities with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and strategic planning coordination for supporting projects in K-12, higher education, state/municipality/local sectors government, and healthcare. For the last ten years, he has led several municipal and county clients through the Virginia Public-Private Education and Infrastructure Act (PPEA) process for successful project delivery on a wide variety of buildings and utility infrastructure projects.
As Executive Vice President of Operations and Organizational Development, Don leads the processes that support MBP’s long-term strategic plan to increase organizational capacity by enhancing recruiting, retaining, and developing talent for future leadership roles. Don oversees MBP technical team members across MBP’s different geographic locations and is responsible for building best practices for improving capabilities and skillsets to meet the changing demands of MBP’s clients and the industry.
Don is an active member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), where he was selected to become a Fellow and inducted into the Academy of Fellows for SAME in 2013. Additionally, he served a six-year tenure on the National Board of Governors for the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).
MS, Construction Management, Georgia Tech
BE, Civil Engineering, Vanderbilt University
1. How did you get into a career in construction?
As a kid growing up in Tennessee, our neighbor was a civil engineer who got me interested in engineering. During my college years, I worked on a construction surveying crew for three summer breaks. Plus, my civil engineering classes at Vanderbilt University were very interesting and my initial assignment with the US Army Corps of Engineers had some great projects and people.
2. Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Clarksville, Tennessee. Both of my parents were teachers. My mom taught fifth grade for over 35 years and my dad was a university professor at Austin Peay State University. My three brothers and I grew up with sports, scouting, and academics. All four of us were Eagle Scouts.
3. What are some of your hobbies?
My first hobby is being with my family as much as possible. I also enjoy playing golf, going to the gym, taking walks with my wife and dog, and enjoying good music at fun places.
4. What is some advice you’d give to your 20-year-old self?
Take more time off to travel in order to enjoy the world and the people living in it. “Work hard and play hard” to keep a good life balance.