Have you ever attended a big food festival and wondered how you could possibly sample every vendor’s wares? Robert “Bob” Taylor, Atkins University’s Student of the Month for October, faces that dilemma every time he visits Epcot’s annual International Food & Wine Festival at Disney World, but he knows exactly what to do. He creates an experience that’s all his own—just as he does with the menu of continuing education courses offered by Atkins University.

Taylor, a senior engineer in the Transportation service, joined the firm in 1997.  As a registered professional engineer in three states and a contractual services engineer for Florida’s Turnpike office in Orlando, he finds the University’s training options to be as plentiful as the food and wine pairings at Epcot.  “I have an abundance of continuing education requirements I must complete each year,” Taylor shared, “and the wide range of transportation courses to choose from help me to satisfy those requirements and further my knowledge within the field.”

Completing approximately 30 hours of training in his leisure time, Taylor was quick to point out that each course is helpful. “Every course is beneficial, but of all the training I have completed I would have to say the Green Infrastructure courses have been the most valuable,” Taylor stated.

With over 36 years of experience in the transportation industry, he has seen many positive changes and the information these courses provide help keep him up to date with current standards and trends in creating, maintaining, and preserving open spaces and natural areas in and around our roadways.

“It never hurts to expand your knowledge base and further your possibilities through training,” Taylor said.  From his career start as an entry-level traffic engineer to leading the negotiations team as he does now, it is clear to see how learning has helped him achieve his goals.

John Post, program manager and Taylor’s supervisor, is encouraged by his employee’s enthusiasm for learning.  “Bob and I discuss his training plans and he keeps me informed of his progress,” Post shared.  “He is a true asset to the firm and continues to provide excellent client support at all levels.”  Post was quick to state that he is thrilled Taylor is being honored for his achievements.