PARKERSBURG - A Wood County businessman was recognized by a statewide business publication, but he credits the work and support of his staff for any honors received.
Ryan Taylor, president of Pickering Associates, was named by West Virginia Executive magazine as one of its "Young Guns of 2013" in the edition released in November.
"Each year we receive more than 200 nominations from across the state, and we narrow that group down to 10 young professionals," said Kensie Hamilton, editor in chief of West Virginia Executive, which publishes quarterly in West Virginia. "Our Young Guns are selected based on their success in their careers and their community service. We are proud to be able to showcase these impressive individuals each year, and we applaud the work they do for the State of West Virginia."
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Photo by Wayne Towner
Ryan Taylor, president of Pickering Associates in Parkersburg, is shown with a copy of the magazine and the award he received in November when he was named one of 10 “Young Guns of 2013” by West Virginia Executive magazine.
Taylor is a Wood County native and Parkersburg High School graduate who attended West Virginia University, where he received a master's degree before going to work in 1997 for Pickering Associates.
He began as a construction manager and then moved up through positions in project management, project representation, company representation and others. After several years as vice president of operations, he became president earlier this year.
Taylor said one of the projects he is most proud of was his involvement in the design and construction of the Armstrong World Industries plant, which opened this year at Millwood in Jackson County. Taylor said he was involved in the two-year, $48 million project from the site selection and original design phase up through completion of construction through his work with Pickering Associates.
"It's not very often in your career that you get to build a new manufacturing plant from a cornfield," he said.
Pickering employs 43 people and will celebrate its 25th year in 2014. The company does architectural and engineering projects in the Mid-Ohio Valley and throughout the region. That includes designing buildings, land planning, infrastructure improvements (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), structural evaluations and improvements and other projects, including master planning and conceptual designs.
"We are a one-stop shop for the design industry," he said.
Taylor said he was surprised when one of his employees nominated him for the Young Guns program and feels proud to be named to the honor for his first time, especially since he is approaching the upper age criteria of 43, having turned 40 on Dec. 5.
He joined the other members of the Young Guns group on Nov. 15 at the Governor's Mansion in Charleston for the magazine's unveiling. Each person was recognized and had the opportunity to speak during the event.
Also in November, Taylor was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley as one of two Young Business Leaders of the Year for 2012.
Taylor is hopeful the magazine's recognition will open more doors for Pickering Associates in the future.
"It's a big recognition for my career, but most importantly I want it to be a good recognition for my employees. The bottom line is the things I accomplish are a direct result of the staff that is under me or beside me or above me. They're the ones that make these things possible, because of their hard work," he said.
Looking to the future, Taylor said the company is considering ways it can improve and what other opportunities are available in the area for new projects and services it might be able to offer, such as expanding its architectural services.
"We have a great backlog of architectural projects, but we feel that we can expand and gather more of that business with more design professionals on staff," he said.
