Melanie Fowler is office principal for Tampa/Sarasota and a vice president within HDR, which specializes in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. Fowler has also served as a project manager and professional engineer in Orlando and South Florida. When returning to Central Florida, she served as the design quality assurance manager for a large infrastructure project. In the community, Fowler serves as president of the Westshore Alliance.
My family and I moved to Tampa more than five years ago to transfer with my company, HDR. The company is well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure. I am also engaged with Tampa Bay Partnership, serving as Transportation Committee co-chair. Both groups are keenly aware of the challenges of our transportation network in Greater Tampa Bay. We strive to present multi-modal solutions.
We have made several moves within Florida, but GTB offers a unique blend of beachside, urban and rural exploration. We love to go to the beach, dog parks, the river and restaurants. Here, you can do that all in one day.
I love the opportunity to live, work and play in such a great area. My children thrive in top-rated public schools and have plenty of fun opportunities on the weekend. We are a multi-generational household, and there is something for everyone.
On many weekends, you will find us enjoying downtown Tampa and the Riverwalk with our dog, Bella. My kids love the area’s bike paths and enjoy them when the weather is mild. Another favorite is to watch the sunset at Pass-a-Grille. We love the “come as you are” vibe of the Pinellas County beaches.
I have the opportunity to lead an office that serves several large government entities, allowing our staff to work on exciting local projects. It is so rewarding to see our project right in our backyard.
I appreciate the opportunity to engage with professional organizations intensely focused on improving the entire region. We dig into issues such as transportation, community development, talent development and IDE — inclusion, diversity and equity.
I also enjoy that our community is focused on giving to others and protecting our environment. We routinely engage with Feeding Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay Watch. It is truly an extension of our company’s mission to enhance our communities.
Whether it is business or personal travel, the experience at TPA is top-notch. We love the access to so many fun opportunities. There are many day trips to explore. Plus, we have a phenomenal airport that is so easy to use.
It is not just the beautiful weather in February that keeps people coming back! We routinely host our company’s more significant events in Tampa. It is a highly sought location that is easy for our teams to fly in and out of while staying at nice local hotels and then allowing them to explore the beautiful GTB area.
– Melanie Fowler
By Meredith Biesinger.
