Work Here, Grow Here: Ten Years with Greg Van Patten, PE

Greg Van Patten did not come to Lamp Rynearson looking for a comfortable routine. He came looking for a challenge.

Ten years ago, Greg was searching for work that was more demanding and more fulfilling. Lamp Rynearson offered exactly that: a place to build on his field experience while picking up new skills along the way. A decade later, he is doing both, and then some.

Designing a Destination

As a Project Manager, Greg thrives on variety. Managing projects from start to finish in the community where he lives gives his work a personal dimension that goes beyond the technical. When a project succeeds, he sees it.

Right now, he is particularly energized by the Nall Park Master Plan Improvements project, currently in design. “I think it has the potential to be somewhat of a destination park,” he says. That kind of enthusiasm for a project still in its early stages says a lot about how Greg approaches his work. He is not just managing timelines and deliverables. He is invested in what gets built.

Eyes on What’s Next

Greg’s goals for the coming years reflect the same drive that brought him to Lamp Rynearson in the first place. In the near term, he wants to sharpen his skills as both a project manager and a supervisor. He also sees a real opportunity to grow the construction observation team in Kansas City, particularly if the firm expands into DOT work. When that moment comes, Greg wants to be ready to lead that group as a Group Leader.

And then there is the other goal: breaking 80 on the golf course. Difficult, he admits, but satisfying.

The Gratitude That Carries You Forward

Ask Greg about his best memory from ten years at Lamp Rynearson, and he does not point to a single project or milestone. He points to a feeling.

“It feels good to be appreciated, especially by the communities we serve,” he says. “There have been moments when members of the council or city staff have expressed their genuine gratitude, and that always feels good and can carry momentum into the next day or week.”

That kind of recognition is what reminds you why the work matters. And for Greg, it has happened more than once.

On the Course and on the Sidelines

Outside the office, Greg has two passions pulling at his schedule. Golf has been a constant. He has always loved sports, and when coordinating team athletics became harder to manage, golf filled the gap. It is a game that rewards patience and punishes complacency, and Greg appreciates both qualities. At least one good shot per round is enough to keep him coming back.

But lately, a newer hobby has taken hold. Greg recently started coaching his kids in their sports activities, and by his own account, he is completely hooked. Busy weeknights planning practices and weekends packed with games are not a burden. They are something to look forward to.

It turns out the same qualities that make a great project manager, preparation, patience, and genuine investment in the outcome, translate pretty well to the sidelines too.

Here is to ten years, Greg. The best projects, and the best games, are still ahead.