Q+A with Stuart Surmann

How do you describe your job to people outside of the industry?

I’m an engineer who works as part of a team of engineers and architects that design manufacturing facilities.

Why did you decide to become and engineer?

I’ve always loved math, science, and designing things.

How would you describe life at Ghafari?

Challenging, exciting, and fast-paced. We have a lot of intelligent team members, and our quality of work attracts high-profile clients. Being able to serve such a wide range of industries and develop new and unique processes is exciting.

What is the most exciting thing that has happened during your time here?

Being at the forefront of the change in focus from fossil-fuel vehicles to electric vehicles is exciting. It feels good to be part of building a more sustainable future.

What is a key idea or lesson you have learned while working at Ghafari?

Teamwork is everything. The most successful projects are the ones with teams that communicate effectively and help each other to achieve the project goals.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Mostly skateboarding. It’s been a passion of mine for most of my life. I’ve been skating since I was 9 years old. I still skateboard with some of the same friends I skated with in middle school and high school. In addition to skating, I have a long list of hobbies that keep me busy, which include (to name a few) art, gardening, cooking, and playing music. I also spend a lot of time with my dogs, whether it’s walking, playing in the backyard, or just lounging on the couch.