PGH Wong - Founded on a Dream
It’s one thing to dream. That shows vision. But it’s quite another to transform that dream into reality. That takes grit, focus, and an unyielding belief in yourself and the people around you. Rarer still is the individual who dares to dream boldly and then works to make that dream a reality. Yet that’s exactly what PGH Wong Engineering, Inc.’s (PGH Wong) founder, chairman, and CEO, Peter Wong did.
“I was born and raised in the small town of Ba, Fiji. We had no traffic lights, mostly gravel and unpaved roads with unmarked traffic lanes, and steam locomotives hauling sugar cane through the main street of town. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought of owning an engineering consulting firm halfway around the world in America.”
But in December 1985, Peter did dare to dream when he founded PGH Wong Engineering, Inc. Today, with more than 300 professionals, PGH Wong is one of the nation’s leading transit consulting firms. Providing full-service engineering, architecture, and program/construction management services, PGH Wong delivers in all modes of transit. But PGH Wong sets itself apart through its unwavering commitment to integrity, excellence, and equity—a commitment put into practice through a very active, practical set of Core Values: 1) Set a Standard of Excellence, 2) Take Care of People, 3) Take Care of Employees, 4) Be a Trusted Partner, 5) Provide Pathways to Professional Excellence and Career Fulfillment, 6) Build Collaborative, Innovative, and Disciplined Teams, 7) Maintain High Ethical Standards, and 8) Invest in Those Willing to Learn and Grow. That may sound like rhetoric, but to PGH Wong employees, these Core Values serve as a simple, day-to-day guide to follow. Peter explains:
“I’m proud of my reputation and that reputation rests on always respecting my colleagues at all levels including those working for our competitors. That’s not just a business strategy; that’s the right way to be.”
Another clear way to see PGH Wong’s Core Values in action is through the firm’s commitment to diversity. Active in WTS-LA and the Society of Women Engineers, PGH Wong proactively recruits women and minorities. At present, women comprise nearly 30% of the firm. But PGH Wong doesn’t stop there. As a longtime supporter of WTS, PGH Wong encourages employees to join and serve on chapter boards.
A WTS-LA Silver Level Corporate Partner, PGH Wong will sponsor its third WTS-LA high school scholarship this year, directly helping young women achieve their dreams. But statistics don’t tell the whole story. PGH Wong’s commitment to equity and diversity can also be seen through its employees.
Arash Monsefan, P.E., a seasoned engineer on numerous iconic projects, has been a strong advocate for equity throughout his career. Arash credits PGH Wong and WTS for their commitment to equity and diversity.
“As an active WTS member and past Member of the Year winner, the son of a mother in transportation, and the spouse of a woman in transportation, I believe workplace equity is essential to fostering a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive environment. But equity requires a day-to-day commitment. PGH Wong has that. It’s one of the most diverse and inclusive companies I’ve worked for. PGH Wong’s support helps women advance.”
Sheila Wray Given, Business Development Principal at PGH Wong, also believes fervently in equity, WTS-LA, and PGH Wong. In addition to serving in leadership positions in WTS, including WTS International Board Director and WTS-LA President, Given has been honored by WTS as a past Member of the Year. But for Given, it’s never about offices or awards.
“What matters most to me is helping to make a difference— achieving real results. That’s how I tried to lead in WTS and WTS-LA and that’s exactly what I find at PGH Wong. Yes, we deliver complex, signature projects, but in doing so, we never lose sight of our responsibility and commitment to achieving those results equitably and honorably in our communities and within our teams. And while we believe in those values, they also come directly from our founder, chairman, and CEO who most definitely leads by example.”
Dreaming shows vision. And realizing a bold dream demonstrates a whole host of other qualities. But achieving that dream while maintaining an unwavering commitment to equity and excellence is rarer still. That’s exactly what Peter Wong has done since his upbringing in Fiji through to his work today, transforming PGH Wong into one of the most sought-after transit consultants without losing sight of its responsibility and commitment to equity and diversity.