At HGC Construction, careers are built on more than experience alone. Rooted in a legacy of craftsmanship and doing the job right, the company invests in developing people who are ready to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact.
For Project Engineer, Akeene Ritchie, that pathway began in January 2024 and led to a full-time role in May 2025.
When Akeene Ritchie began co-oping at HGC Construction in January 2024, he stepped into active projects almost immediately. Within months, he was contributing to the School Outfitters office renovation, the 2410 Ohio Avenue apartment renovation, and early-phase work on the University of Cincinnati Digital Futures project.
Two semesters later, that hands-on experience turned into a full-time role as a Project Engineer.
The biggest shift, he says, was ownership.
“As a co-op, I was often given specific tasks to complete. Now I’m responsible for owning the work and making sure it carries through.”
Today, Akeene manages RFI submissions, submittals to architects, procurement tracking, and weekly master schedule updates using Phoenix. He leads OAC meetings, coordinates with subcontractors, and has been introduced to cost management responsibilities including change orders and owner billing.
“That level of responsibility pushes you,” he says. “It’s not just a one-off task. It’s ongoing, and you’re expected to stay on top of it.”
Mentorship played a major role in that growth. During his co-op, he worked closely with Josh Doepker and Kiley Sunderhaus and quickly realized how accessible leadership was at HGC.
“I could walk into a Project Executive’s office and ask questions at any time.”
Now, as a full-time team member, he credits Project Manager Philip Royer with accelerating his development.
“He pushes me. I’m doing financial and cost management work much earlier in my career than a lot of Project Engineers. That’s because he trusts me and challenges me.”
For Akeene, culture ultimately made the decision to return full-time an easy one.
“The difference here is the people and the culture. You still have to get your work done, but it’s more relaxed. You’re trusted to manage your responsibilities without being micromanaged.”
One of his proudest moments came when the co-op program came full circle. After being part of it during a period of growth and rebuild, he now represents HGC at career fairs and interviews future co-ops.
“It’s rewarding to be on the other side of the table now. Not long ago, I was the one sitting across from someone interviewing me.”
For Akeene, the HGC co-op experience laid the foundation for a career built on responsibility, mentorship, and continued development. It’s a progression that reflects the purpose behind HGC’s co-op program: building professionals who are ready to lead.