Second in a series of conversations with firm leadership, by Maeve Byrne
Wayne Wegman, the former CEO of Passero Associates, has recently retired from the firm. Wayne has been with the firm for 40 years, and has led Passero to become a regional leader in providing Airport Consulting Services.
Wayne’s inspiration to become an engineer came from him working in the construction industry.
“I thought it was very dynamic and I wanted to be part of that but I didn’t want to be a laborer,” he said. “That’s what really made me decide to become a civil engineer, so I could be on the professional side of the construction industry.”
For Wayne, the most influential person in shaping his career was the founder of Passero Associates, Gary Passero.
“It was by circumstance that I ended up working for Gary. He’s a very unique individual. He built the foundation to a company that I now get to enjoy and retire off of,” Wayne said. “He is my definition of a steward leader. He would literally give you his last dollar if he thought you needed it more than him. I owe my career to Gary Passero.”
During his time at the firm as CEO, Wayne has served as Principal-In-Charge of Airport Design Services, has overseen the company’s internal operations, and has provided leadership to all departments. Wayne has 30 years of experience in managing and designing the various types of projects the firm works on, including buildings, site developments, road and utility infrastructures, and airport improvement projects.
Wayne thinks his staff would be surprised that he became the CEO of Passero if they had known him growing up. He struggled through school and didn’t view himself as a good student.
“I think people who knew me when I was younger would be surprised that I’m sitting where I am. I was given second chances by Gary. If I would’ve worked for me earlier in my career, I probably would’ve fired myself,” Wayne said. “But I’ve always set goals and did my best to achieve them.”
Wayne feels he’s had a very fulfilling career at Passero for the 40 years that he’s been at the firm.
“What’s most fulfilling about my career is probably the accomplishments we’ve made as a company, and the growth we’ve had; to be part of that,” Wayne said. “We’ve come a long way. I’ve been here for 40 years, so I have a perspective from being a pretty small company to where we are now.”
Wayne thinks the biggest reason why he was able to excel in his career was because he really liked the company he is working for.
“I’ve woken up in the morning and not wanted to come to work, but I’ve never woken up in the morning and said I wanted to go work someplace else,” Wayne said. “This is a fantastic company, and I’m blessed to be part of it.”
Wayne also said that he really loves his job as a CEO at Passero.
“I was President for about 10 years, and you have to focus on the operations and productivity and the expenses,” he said. “It’s a little different of a relationship that you have with the employees than when you’re CEO. I really like being in a position where it’s my job to help people, not to get them working.”
While Wayne is retiring, he hopes that his staff will continue to adhere to the firm’s core values: Integrity, Servant Leadership, Passion for Excellence, One Firm, Work/Life Balance.
“Understand how important the culture that we have developed is to the success of the company,” Wayne said. “We have our core values; if we focus on those core values and the way we practice our business and conduct ourselves, I think the individuals will be successful and the company will continue to grow and be successful.”
Wayne thinks that to be successful, you have to continue to learn in order to grow in whatever position that you’re in.
“The key to success really is to not be satisfied with yourself. Life is a constant learning experience,” Wayne said. “As long as you focus on yourself and focus on learning more, I think you’ll be successful in whatever you do.”
As Wayne retires, he intends to travel with his wife, as well as visit their three children.
“We have a place down south, so we’re going to spend some time there in the winters and summers up here,” Wayne said. “I have three children living in three different cities, so the focus is to try to get to see them.”
As for the future of Passero Associates, Wayne sees the firm continuing to grow in years to come.
“I think we are so strong right now. I think we have the right leadership group that have helped us grow,” Wayne said. “It’s all about getting the right people on the bus, and we have the right people on the bus. We have some of the best professionals, first in class in their individual professions. I just see that we have all the pieces together and we’re just going to continue to be successful and grow.”
When Wayne thinks of Passero Associates, he said he thinks of the best people in the industry, and he thinks of Gary Passero.
“I think we have a great staff and strong leadership,” Wayne said. “We have company that really cares about the community and gives back to the community.”
For Wayne, his career at Passero was an important part of his life, and Gary Passero has had a big influence on his life.
“Passero is my life. I’ve been working for Passero for more than half my life,” Wayne said. “I understand the value of caring about people, and being a steward leader. Life in my opinion is circumstantial to a degree. I’m blessed that those circumstances led me here.”