The people of Shaker are the heart of the community and it seems that around every corner there is something new to learn and discover.
By Jennifer Proe
Who: Joe Comar
Where: Malvern neighborhood
Business: Manager of Civil/Municipal Engineering for The Mannik & Smith Group (MSG), located at Chagrin Boulevard and Warrensville Center Road in Tower East. MSG offers a full array of engineering consulting services for both the public and private sectors. The company has offices in Ohio and Michigan.
Mission: Above all, to be trustworthy with a service mindset and positive attitude. We believe that taking an ownership approach to challenges is the key to developing successful outcomes.
What I Love About My Work: I especially enjoy the process of building and developing a sustainable infrastructure to enhance the experience of those who live within it. Part of that process also includes building up the people you work with. Everything we do is a reflection of us. It’s a privilege to help people uncover and tap their strengths, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Personal Background: I grew up in Okemos, Michigan and graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation I reported aboard the USCG Cutter Valiant in Miami Beach, and was involved in search-and-rescue and counter-narcotic operations in the Caribbean.
Since then, I have served in a variety of civil engineering and facility management roles, most recently as executive officer of the Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit located in downtown Cleveland. My wife, Kathryn, and I have five children – three girls and two boys, ages 2-14.
On Working and Living in Shaker Heights: This is an outstanding environment to grow in as family. It truly supports an optimum work-life balance. We really enjoy the proximity and access to all of Shaker’s amenities. The people of Shaker are the heart of the community and it seems that around every corner there is something new to learn and discover.
We love the fact that Shaker is so walkable. We enjoy walking as a family through all the parks and streets of Shaker, taking in all of the stunning architecture and beautiful scenery. We invariably bump into our friends and neighbors who are doing the same thing, which adds to the fun and keeps us connected with them as well. It’s great to have St. Dominic Parish, where we belong, practically outside our front door.
Our favorites restaurants include all the new Van Aken District restaurants. We also love J. Pistone for lunch and Juma for coffee. The perfect weekend outing for our family would include a jog around Horseshoe Lake, taking the Green Line downtown for a sporting event (go Browns/Cavs/Indians!) followed by Mass and donut Sunday at St. Dominic.
Contact:
The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.
20600 Chagrin Boulevard
Suite 500, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
P: 216-378-1490 x 8002
