Nick Tassigiannakis MIEAust CPEng NER has been announced as the Victorian Young Professional Engineer of the Year for 2017.
Nick has been working in the sustainability and built environment industries for the past eight years, specialising in precinct wide HVAC retrofits and measured sustainability outcomes. He holds a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering with Honours and a Bachelor of Science and is currently working towards an Executive MBA. Most recently, Nick has achieved Chartered Status.
What is your current job title and function?
I am the Principal Engineer and Director at FG Advisory.
I started FG Advisory three and a half years ago with some old colleagues. In this role I lead and grow a team of seven multidisciplinary engineers and ESD specialists, providing technical review and guidance, lead our larger projects such as Energy Performance Contracts and major HVAC designs, as well as assist in the general management of our company.
What is the significance of winning this award?
This award provides recognition for myself and the greater team at FG Advisory for all of the hard work that we put in every day, often behind the scenes, to deliver over and above what our clients expect.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy the diverse range of projects that all have a strong sustainability focus. At FG Advisory, we work exclusively for the client in almost all cases, thereby ensuring that the client’s long term quality objectives are clearly understood, and consistently achieved.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on some great projects including:
- A large energy performance contract with Peninsula Health to deliver over 40% emissions reduction across all portfolio sites, including the main 450 bed tertiary hospital in Frankston;
- Extensive infrastructure upgrades and key technical strategies for Monash University in support of their recently announced Net Zero Initiative, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
- Renewable energy technical feasibility for Victorian water corporations - stage one of the projects involves large scale solar and wind generation to achieve net zero emissions for approx. 30MW of generation capacity for 60GWh of electricity consumption.
What strategies have helped you get ahead?
I think there are a few strategies that have really helped me in my career:
- Have a Positive Mindset – always focus on opportunities instead of barriers;
- Be Proactive – this is one of the hardest but most valuable strategies that has helped me, not just as an engineer, but in life in general;
- Never give up – I think it takes hard work to do great work; and
- Follow your passion.
Tell us about your greatest achievement as an engineer?
I would have to say that being recognised by Engineers Australia through this award is a big career highlight.
But my passion and purpose is to continue to build FG Advisory into a great company. That means attracting and growing amazing young talent, and working with brilliant clients to push the boundaries of innovation and positive sustainability outcomes.
Do you have any advice for young engineers just starting their career?
Work hard, be resourceful and be positive. Follow your engineering passion, but don’t forget about the soft skills (they might not be as interesting as ‘hard engineering’ but are incredibly important in conveying the technical aspects!).
Who is your engineering hero?
I like Elon Musk’s ‘can-do’ attitude. He won’t take no for an answer, and finds ingenious solutions to our modern problems.
What is your favourite movie?
Matrix 1. Isn’t it an engineer’s dream to be able to control the world around them with their mind (even if their world isn’t real?).
Image (L-R): Engineers Australia’s Victoria Division President, Chris Stoltz FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER presenting the 2017 Victorian Young Engineer of the Year award to Nick Tassigiannakis MIEAust CPEng NER.