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Employee Spotlight: Leon Grossman

Employee Spotlight: Leon Grossman

Leon Grossman, Senior Project Engineer

What do you like best about working at DMC?

At DMC you are consistently engaged and interested due to variety of projects we work on.  I also appreciate that employees are empowered to make whatever they need happen in order to do our jobs, as opposed to getting stuck in layers of clearance or paperwork.


 

You joined DMC in 1998.  What drew you to DMC back then and what has changed?

I was drawn to DMC because it was a small group of people “against the world” doing really interesting work.  It was exciting to apply new technologies in a rapidly growing company where everyone was involved in all stages of the process.  DMC is definitely more established than it was back in 1998, and accordingly we are taking on larger projects for larger companies.


 

What has been your favorite project at DMC?

Definitely a distributed test software system for a national laboratory.  It automatically processes test results, allowing engineers to focus on utilizing the results rather than crunch numbers.  The software tests alternative powertrain vehicles including hydroelectric, fuel cell, electric, and hybrid.  I enjoyed the scope and ambition this project and developing its full concept rather than just a short term segment.


 

You grew up in Oklahoma.  Can you describe what it is like?

Flat and orange.  The dirt in Oklahoma is red, so the iron settles in the grass making it look orange when it isn’t green.


 

Do you have any favorite spots in Chicago?

My favorite spot which I rarely get to visit is Oak Street Beach.  It has a great view of the city and is less crowded than other beach locations.


 

Do you have any engineering hobbies?

I like to do quirky embedded things.  My current geeky project involves a game called Mindflex.  You wear a helmet device and an EEG reads brainwaves.  Someone has already hacked it, but I want to do something different…stay tuned.


 

What else do you like to do outside of work?

Aside from buying Apple products, I am an amateur photographer.  I am self-taught and my specialty is people and performance.  I really enjoy capturing a moment and telling its story.


 

Where do you like to photograph?

City church in Gary, IN is an incredible location to shoot.  It is a huge burnt out structure, which is kind of sad, but it’s very visual.

 

When I was home in Oklahoma recently, my grandpa mentioned a view he really likes from a train platform outside of the city.  I climbed up there in the cold and captured the shot for him.  If you notice, the train tracks in the image make the story – crop them out and it loses something.


 

Do you have any career lessons to share?

No one can ever afford to stop learning.

 

 

Also, whether inside or outside of the business realm, every interaction with another person is a form of sales and marketing.

 

 

 
 

Oklahoma City as Seen from Train Platform


Chicago River


Chicago Viewed from Lake Michigan

Comments

Steven
Speaking from my personal and failmy experience only, I would say that Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City (obviously in Oklahoma City, OK) is one of the best programs in the state (at least as far as 2 year programs go). After that, it would probably be the University of Oklahoma's Health Science Center in Oklahoma City, OK or Oklahoma State University's Health Science Center in Tulsa, OK.My mom was in the third graduating class at Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC) which was an AS in Nursing. Several years later, she got into the University of Oklahoma's Health Science Center program to get her BS in Nursing.I'm not sure if Oklahoma City University or the University of Central Oklahoma even have nursing programs, but Southern Nazarene University (in Bethany, OK) and Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, OK may also have nursing programs because they are private colleges.As far as competition goes, I do know that you have to take at least one semester of regular classes at OSU-OKC before you can be accepted into their nursing program. But, on the same hand, if you have good scores and attendance and such, I never heard about many people being refused entirely from the program.Also, the advantage of going to a 2 year university and getting your RN as an Associates of Science means that you can go directly to work as an RN, then work your way through your Bachelors of Science while still earning a living from being an RN. Just a thought although I didn't go in to nursing, I did a similar thing when I was in college, getting my 2 year degree then working through getting my 4 year degree.I would suggest that you write, call, or email the nursing departments at the various school in the areas you might like to live and have them send you information on their programs. Most of the staff members are very helpful and more than willing to answer questions about their programs.Also, last but not least, Oklahoma is a relatively economical place to live so long as you have a car. We technically have a public transportation system, but it's much more of a joke than functional. As far as rent goes, you'd be looking at between $350-500, depending on what kind of place you were willing to settle for. Of course, there ARE places more expensive than that, if that is your kind of thing.I'll include a couple of links for OSU-OKC's nursing program, as well as a link to the Daily Oklahoman's classified section so you can sort of browse cost of living issues.Hope that helps! Good luck to you!!!-mk
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