Still More to Learn After 30 Years

David Hagney (EMDC '18) has more than 35 years of experience in the architecture industry, and what he loves most about his work is that no two days have even remotely felt the same. That's the reality of life in the architecture industry, something Hagney learned early on in his career. 

"Since each client and each project is unique, each solution is unique," Hagney said." This is not a profession for people who want a predictable, repetitive career, or are not problem solvers, especially under stress."

Hagney is president / principal at Hagney Architects LLC., a company he launched in 1989. Over the years, the company ranged in size from three to 15 employees, but one constant has been Hagney's involvement with client projects. The ability to interact hands-on with clients is one of the main reasons he created his company.  

Prior to starting his company, Hagney worked as director of marketing at an architecture firm. In this position he met with clients early in the project but then was removed from the actual work process. As a result, Hagney missed "doing architecture," he said. He was offered a partnership role at a different firm, but he decided to create his own path and form his own company. That was more than 30 years ago, and he has never looked back. 

Hagney had a Master of Architecture degree but was motivated to continue to learn and grow as a leader in the architecture field. To do that, Hagney turned to Northwestern Engineering’s Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction (EMDC) program. His extensive professional experience made him especially appreciative of the program's holistic approach to the industry.

 "As the owner and manager of a firm, the course topics touched on issues that I dealt with daily," Hagney said. "At times the program emphasized a particular area not related to my own sector, such as civil engineering, but I could still utilize aspects of those lessons." 

The fact that EMDC is taught fully online is the only way Hagney was able to balance school with a full-time job and family. There were some late nights and long weekends, but Hagney said the sacrifice was well worth it.  

"Many of the lessons were valuable, especially the areas dealing with project organization, staffing, firm culture, and construction law," he said. "Many times, the lessons either confirmed what had been established firm practices or brought to light what we may have to change." 

Although Hagney entered the program with more professional experience than the rest of his classmates, that didn't prevent him from learning — from both the faculty and his fellow students.  

"I no doubt grew professionally," Hagney said, "but I was also able to listen to classmates who were earlier in their careers and understand their perceived issues as well as how the design and construction professions are changing."