1. Welcome Sebastian, please tell us about yourself.

I’m a dedicated business owner with over fifteen years of experience in engineering and development. I am a builder of teams and am energized by seeing a team “mesh.” It’s my firm belief that we can go farther when we work together as a team. In the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry where I operate, teamwork across fields is paramount to a successful project. As a native Spanish speaker, I break barriers, both professional and cultural, on-site and in the office with passion and purpose. 

When I’m not building teams and working towards solutions in the AEC world, you will find me on the golf course, hitting the slopes, or in a different country exploring a new culture with my family.

2. Where do you work and what is your role? When/how did you get started there? 

I am a Founding Partner of RAAD Engineering, a full-service engineering firm specializing in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) design. I spend my time developing young engineers and building our team and strong work culture. In the early days, I created all of our internal business operations and process implementation for critical areas outside of day-to-day engineering work, like the HR, Marketing, and Finance departments. 

RAAD was founded nine years ago, sparked by a unique opportunity with my colleague, who is now my business partner. As we worked together, we quickly realized how well our skills complemented one another. In 2015, we combined our expertise to offer complete MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) design solutions—marking the beginning of our journey as a team. 

3. List some factors that contribute to your success.

I define success as having time and flexibility. I’m always looking and listening for ways to have more of these things for myself and my team. However, there are three topics that I want to highlight. 

• Striving for effectiveness: Always learning and listening for ways to be more effective. Efficiency follows being effective, not the other way around. 
•  Keeping my word: I am honest and always keep my word to clients and my team. We deliver when we say we will and if not, you will get the real reason why. Integrity is crucial. 
• Being reflective and introspective: At the end of the week, I think about what went well and what didn’t. I asked myself what I could have done differently if I didn’t like the outcome. 

4. Give advice to those starting their careers in Business Development

Business development is about people first and money second. Reputation is everything, never speak poorly about anyone, and always be honest. Never sell a product or service you don’t truly believe in.

5. What is your passion?

My professional passion is building teams and solving problems in the AEC industry. My personal passion is spending quality time with my family and traveling to new places. 

6. Please tell us about the range and type of projects you are involved in.

As an MEP engineer with fifteen years of experience in New York City, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects across various sectors. My portfolio includes high-rise residential and commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and mission-critical infrastructure like data centers. I’ve also been involved in retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades for existing buildings, ensuring they meet modern sustainability and code requirements.

Given NYC’s unique challenges—aging infrastructure, stringent building codes, and the push for greener buildings—I often work on projects that integrate cutting-edge HVAC systems, energy-efficient lighting, and advanced plumbing solutions. Whether it’s designing MEP systems for a ground-up skyscraper or upgrading building systems for Local Law 97 compliance, my focus is always on delivering efficient, code-compliant, and sustainable solutions tailored to each project’s needs