Meet Kyle Gandee, a Mechanical Engineer at Farris Engineering (farris-usa.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Farris Engineering is a MEP design firm headquartered in Omaha, but I work in our Sidney, NE/Sterling, CO satellite office. In our Sidney/Sterling office, we specialize mostly in healthcare and education projects. We have worked on projects throughout the country but mostly serve the Western Nebraska and Eastern Colorado regions. Being from small towns, our office is uniquely equipped to design for the needs of the rural communities that surround us.
How did you get started in the business? – Like most 18 year olds, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I went off to college. I decided to major in engineering and go to Colorado School of Mines, but only because I knew that I had a better chance of getting into medical school with an engineering degree, rather than some other degree. But once I began my classes, I quickly realized that engineering was the correct path for me.
Once I graduated, I wanted to move back closer to home – which is the northeastern Colorado area. Luckily for me, I found an MEP engineering firm just 20 minutes away from where I grew up. During my interview, I found out that the firm specializes mostly in healthcare projects. This was a great, full circle moment for me. Although I decided to become an engineer instead pursuing medical school, I would still be able to help the medical community, just in a different way.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – One of the biggest challenges I have faced professionally is to bring design services to rural communities. Most design firms are from larger cities and therefore focus mostly on those areas. It has been a goal of mine since moving back to Northeastern Colorado to reach out to local communities to let them know that there are resources nearby, should they ever be needed. Rural communities often feel like they are forgotten about, and I have been working to make sure they know there is always help close by.
Tell us a little about your family. – In 2018, I decided I wanted to find a career back in the Northeastern Colorado area to be closer to friends and family. My wife (then girlfriend) and I moved back and tied the knot in 2020. We now have two beautiful daughters: Josephine, or Josie, is 18 months old and Elaina is seven months old.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – On my days off, I prefer to get outside. As most married men know, I have a list of honey-dos that never ends. Currently I am working on building a chicken coup in our backyard and rebuilding the fence surrounding our house. I also love to play golf. Anytime I have time I can be found at our local golf club playing a quick nine holes or working on my shots at the driving range. For a weekend getaway, the family and I will make a trip up to our family cabin in Grand Lake, CO where we spend most of our time fishing for lake and rainbow trout.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – My favorite quote is ‘Stop and Smell the Roses.’ It is extremely easy to focus on what is right around the corner, whether that be career aspirations, future plans or just the upcoming weekend. I try to make a concerted effort to focus on, and be thankful for, each day/moment as it is happening.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Office: (308) 203-2222 ext. 417; Cell: (970) 520-1086; kgandee@farris-usa.com.