July 17, 2018

We are thrilled to welcome Gwen Cortez back to Epstein! Gwen interned with us last summer.

She rejoins Epstein as a Design Engineer working within the civil engineer group. Since starting, Gwen has mainly been working on a project with Peoples Gas. The company is building a new 2-story, 82,433-square-foot North Shop Field Service Center at 4025 W. Peterson Ave, of which Epstein is providing architect of record and civil engineering services. For this assignment, shes been tasked with making sure there are no conflicts with the underground utilities, as well as preparing drawings.

Gwen recently graduated from Purdue University (go Boilermakers!) with her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. While there, she played piccolo in the schools marching band for four years, had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco for a bowl game and march in the St. Patricks Day parade in Dublin, Ireland! Gwen was also President of the Purdue chapter of Chi Epsilon and the Civil Engineering Honors Society. And, if thats not enough, Gwen mentored freshman in the Honors College.

She grew up in Woodridge, one of Chicagos western suburbs, and attended Downers Grove North High School. She said she watched several home improvement shows throughout her youth and, consequently, became interested in architecture fairly early on.

I also liked the idea of designing how things worked and solving challenging problems, Gwen added. When I went to college, I decided that civil engineering would be a good fit for my combined interests.

Outside of work, Gwen likes to hang with friends, read and can be occasionally crafty. What that means is¦ Gwen likes to get her Martha Stewart on and sew and build things from time to time.

We think everyone should get their craft on every now and then, Gwen!

Welcome again, we are excited to have you back!