Maria Iacovone
Welcome maria , please tell us about yourself.
Thank you! My name is Maria Iacovone. I am a dedicated sister, aunt, godmother, cousin, and friend. Professionally, I serve as the Chief Operating Officer and business manager of ads ENGINEERS. Additionally, I am an active Member of the Membership Committee for BDPros. I frequently attend networking events organized by SDA, IFMA, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and the AIA just to name a few.
Until a few years ago, I served as a docent at the Tribute 9/11 Museum for approximately eight years, leading over 100 tours of the World Trade Center site. I dedicated myself to this role to help share the story of the events of September 11, 2001. Throughout my time as a docent, I had the privilege of meeting numerous visitors from around the world and connecting with remarkable fellow docents who experienced the tragedy firsthand.
As a lifelong New Yorker who witnessed the horror unfold from my office window facing the World Trade Center, this cause is deeply personal to me. I believe that my involvement was not only therapeutic for me but also helped people from across the globe gain a deeper understanding of what happened on that fateful day.
- Where do you work and what is your role? When/how did you get started there?
Currently, I am the COO of ads ENGINEERS, where I began my career over 20 years ago. My professional journey includes a significant departure from ads ENGINEERS 2015 when I accepted a challenging role with AKF Engineers as their Director of Administration. In this capacity, I managed the firm’s offices across multiple states, including NY, NJ, CT, PA, and MA. After three years with AKF, I was approached by the new owners of ads ENGINEERS to return as their COO. In this role, I have been responsible for business development, marketing, HR, administration, and finance.
- List some factors that contribute to your success.
I believe in continuous learning and am always open to acquiring new knowledge, recognizing that there is always someone or something that can teach me more. Mentorship has also played a crucial role in my career; I have been fortunate to work with mentors who supported and believed in my abilities, often more than I did myself. My determination drives me to persistently strive towards my goals, regardless of the challenges I face. Helping others and fostering a collaborative environment is also something that I believe has attributed to my success. It is not solely about individual achievements but also about contributing to the success of those around you. Lastly, treating everyone equally and with respect is fundamental to my approach, and building positive relationships based on mutual respect and understanding has significantly contributed to my achievements.
- Give advice to those starting their careers in Business Development
Building strong relationships is key. Get out there and network, attend industry events.
- What is your passion?
Music is a big part of my life. I enjoy everything from rock and pop to disco, musical soundtracks, classical, and even country music (thanks to a recent Luke Bryan concert and a trip to Nashville).
I have an extensive music library and I love creating playlists, especially for parties and special occasions, sometime with a slideshow – it’s so much fun! I have a huge, lively (aka; loud Italian) family and I cherish the time spent with my brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins. We are a loud crew and it’s always so much fun when we get together.
Professionally, I’m passionate about my career. I’m always looking for ways to advance, make meaningful contributions, and grow in my field.
- Please tell us about the range and type of projects you are involved in.
Recently, ads ENGINEERS merged with O&S Associates, and I’m involved in coordinating and integrating both firms to complement each other’s expertise. There’s even talk of rebranding next year, which is exciting!
Outside of work, I’ve been tackling a DIY makeover of my master bedroom. It’s been fun and challenging, (starting with just a bed), I’m giving it a complete transformation.