At Nunn Construction, our people are at the heart of every project. In our “Day in the Life” series, we shine a spotlight on the talented team members who bring passion, skill, and collaboration to their work each day. Meet Katherine Stangier, Project Engineer, whose journey from intern to full-time team member reflects both her dedication and Nunn’s commitment to growth and mentorship.
Getting Started in Construction
For Katherine, building has always been more than just a profession—it’s a passion. During her college internships, she was fascinated by the process of seeing drawings on paper transform into real, tangible spaces. That spark led her to Nunn Construction as an intern in 2023. After graduating in 2024, she joined the team full-time as a Project Engineer.
Her role? In her words:
“To process all documentation and assist the project team with any issues that arise.”
It’s a balance of technical detail and people-centered collaboration that suits her perfectly.
Katherine and the Team at Canon City High School Concrete Pour
What a Typical Day Looks Like
A typical morning starts with her go-to coffee order from Starbucks, an iced white mocha-quad shot-no whip, as she begins reviewing of RFIs and submittals to keep her project moving forward. Trade partner meetings soon follow, where Katherine helps set the pace for the day’s work. Afternoons often bring a mix of meetings, field walks, and documentation—capturing progress photos, recording meeting minutes, and helping solve any QC issues on-site.
Balancing time between the office and the field can be challenging, especially early in projects when submittals pile up. Katherine has learned to prioritize, prepare meeting agendas in advance, and make sure she’s in the field at least once a day to stay connected to the work being built.
Katherine Working on the Pull Plan at Canon City High School Project
Projects & Lessons Learned
Currently, Katherine is working on the Cañon City High School project, where she is closing out one phase and helping kick off another. She’s also preparing for the Stadium Upgrade, which is still in bidding but will soon be in procurement.
Her most challenging project to date? Walsenburg Jr. Sr. High School (John Mall Replacement Project). The size and complexity—from kitchen equipment to CTE shops to demolition—taught her the importance of clear communication and coordination across teams.
When unexpected challenges arise, Katherine takes a methodical approach: assess the situation, understand its impact, communicate with her team, and involve the right trades quickly.
Collaboration in Action
Katherine works most closely with her Superintendent, Thomas Vinci, as well as her project manager. Together, they align procurement schedules, manage RFIs, and keep the project on track.
One favorite memory of teamwork was when the entire crew pitched in to clean a finished school building before turnover.
“An example of great teamwork on the project would be when we all stepped in to help clean the finished building because we were turning over the building to school staff. Brandon purchased cleaning supplies for us, Thomas broke us off into teams to clean faster, and Luke and I ensured it was done by the end of the day. Everyone was sweeping and it was a huge team-effort!”
Katherine at Canon City High School Concrete Pour
Tools, Skills & Growth
Like most on the project team, Katherine relies daily on Procore and Bluebeam to track documents and manage workflows. But the real game-changer for her has been strengthening her soft skills.
“It took a while for me to understand how important these [soft skills] are and how they build relationships with clients, subcontractors, and the design team!
Life at Nunn
For Katherine, Nunn’s culture is defined by collaboration and teamwork. She fondly recalls the Young Professionals Outing she attended as an intern—a night of laughter, jobsite stories, and bonding with colleagues.
After busy days on-site, she unwinds by spending time with her family and her dog.
Words of Advice
For anyone considering a career as a Project Engineer, Katherine’s advice is simple:
“Take lots of notes, ask questions, and observe field work as much as possible! Being outside and understanding how a building goes together is crucial to our work.”
She also reflects on her own journey: if she could go back to her first day, she would remind herself not to be nervous—confidence and curiosity go a long way.
Looking Ahead
One of Katherine’s proudest moments was being offered a full-time role at Nunn after her internship. It affirmed her passion and solidified her place in a team that values growth, collaboration, and excellence.
Whether she’s walking the jobsite, documenting details, or lending a hand to a teammate, Katherine embodies the spirit of Nunn Construction—building not just structures, but relationships and opportunities.