From A to Z, Burke handles it all for IBC

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Not many engineering firms combine the positions of director of marketing and business development.

Amber Burke manages to do it all for IBC Engineering Services. Holding down both roles has Burke promoting the company’s work and brand while also trying to introduce the firm to new markets, add to its service offerings and help it find new business opportunities not only in Wisconsin but also Illinois and Florida.

The variety means Burke is always growing.

“I’m dealing with continuous improvement to this day,” she said. “I’m still learning new things, and I don’t ever plateau.”

Kyle Thomas, a professional engineer at IBC, said Burke has helped the firm secure some of the largest projects in its history.

“She is highly skilled at identifying business opportunities and building long-term relationships with prospects to increase company revenue and maximize profits,” he said. “She excels at communication, interpersonal skills, collaboration skills, project management, research, strategy, training and business intelligence.”

Burke began working in engineering shortly after earning her degree in professional communication and business management from Alverno College in Milwaukee. She started at Kapur & Associates and then went on to work at other firms before moving to IBC.

Burke said the part of her job she loves most is the opportunities it gives her to collaborate with a large variety of professionals, including designers, architects, owners and contractors. Then there’s also the fact that her employer is helping to reshape the places where it works.

“I also appreciate that we are making a difference. Everywhere you look you’ll see examples of engineering having a positive effect on everyday life,” Burke said.

Burke thinks women are still faced with many obstacles in construction — the need to meet deadlines and to stay within budgets can mean long hours, which can be tough on both women and men who are raising children.

“It’s the expectation (goal) of delivering a project on time and on budget that drives the schedule, which is the nature of our industry,” Burke said.