Roger Winstead / Creative Services

Barbara Mulkey, one of the first female civil engineering graduates at NC State, speaks at the Entrepreneurs’ Lecture.

Barbara H. Mulkey, one of only two women to hold a civil engineering degree from NC State when she graduated in 1977 and now president and CEO of Mulkey Engineers and Consultants, returned to her alma mater Oct. 14 to share her story of struggle and success. She spoke at the annual Entrepreneurs’ Lecture, co-sponsored by the Office of Public Affairs and the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program.

Mulkey was introduced by Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, who noted Mulkey’s generosity to the university and applauded the success of “one of our own.” Following her talk, Dr. Nino Masnari, dean of the College of Engineering, presented her with a gift — a golf putter — to help her in a sport she’s just taken up.

Mulkey described the difficulties and rewards of building an engineering business from kitchen-table basics to boardroom-style big business. “Success never happens because of just one person,” she said, introducing her family and business colleagues. “Property and equipment are just tools. People make up your business.”

Other lessons she learned, while trying to balance family, personal and business concerns, included: There are no bargains, in people, tools, clients or the environment; you must carve personal time out of each day, however hectic; work hard to find the right people for the right jobs; don’t let other firms’ failures become your failures; and “be nice until you have a reason not to be.”

Noting some engineers’ skepticism about marketing, she defended it as a sensible business practice, “not touchy-feely, but an honest, clear way to present your product.”

With her company now engaged in projects across the Carolinas in transportation, surveying, land development, construction services and utilties, she said, she has put her NC State education to good use.

Posted October 15, 2003

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