Getting to Know OTL’s Project Manager Jaqueline Butnareanu

Since 2020, in our newsletter and throughout our social media platforms, we have been spotlighting team members who are key to the success of our company.

While OTL is known throughout the USA and internationally for designing and building magnificent water features, rockwork and themed environments, our company’s true foundation is our people. OTL simply would not be the same without our incredibly talented, dedicated, and caring team.

This month’s Team Spotlight is devoted to our project manager Jaqueline Butnareanu. Jaqueline (a.k.a. Jaque) joined OTL in March 2022 and quickly integrated herself into the fabric of our company. In her role, Jaque is responsible for overseeing construction on projects from start to finish, ensuring that the work proceeds on schedule and is aligned with our strict quality standards and core values including professionalism, innovation, integrity, and perseverance. She coordinates with the field construction team, supervising project execution, developing the budget, and monitoring field productivity and cost, as well as developing, monitoring, and updating the project schedule. Jaque is also in charge of overall project risk management, including safety and quality control and conformance with contractual requirements, among other responsibilities.

Jaque shared with us what drew her to OTL, why she likes being a part of our team, and what it’s like being a woman in the construction industry.

Why OTL: I have a background in civil engineering, so I was intrigued by the unique projects that OTL builds and the challenge of learning about an entirely new world in the construction industry.

The best part about being on the OTL team: I enjoy working with extremely knowledgeable and creative people who are always willing to share their expertise.

On being a woman in the construction industry – a field that is typically male dominated: There are certainly challenges; however, in my 14-plus years in this industry I have seen positive changes, including women increasingly entering the field. And from my own experience, OTL has been among the companies at the forefront of this change, enabling women to contribute meaningfully and make a substantial impact on the construction industry.

Advice to other women who want to break into this field: My advice would be: Do not be intimidated, do your best, work hard with passion and respect for others, and let your results speak for themselves. In my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with extremely capable and talented women leaders in engineering and business. My other advice would be to find a mentor to provide guidance in one’s career.

A fun fact about Jaque: I love traveling; in fact, I lived on three different continents before joining OTL. 😊

What Jaque is excited about accomplishing with OTL: I am excited about being part of creative projects that will positively impact people’s lives and bring them joy. Seeing a project through to its successful completion is a great feeling, and being able to experience something as unique as OTL’s projects makes the work very exciting.

Stay tuned for Team Spotlights featuring more of OTL’s outstanding team members.