News & Events

James Compton – Civil Engineer

Davis & Floyd (D|F) was built on passionate professionals who enhance the world around us. D|F Benchmarks aims to highlight incredible team members who embody our purpose and values. 

Next up for our Davis & Floyd (D|F) Benchmark series is James Compton, PE! He is a Civil Engineer in our Greenville office. Get to know more about James here:

1. What’s your favorite part of working at our company?

The best part about D|F is the people. If you walk through the halls of any of our offices, you will hear repeatedly that it is like a family, and it is true. The people care about each other and encourage one another to continue to grow and be better. We will spend more waking time with the people we work with than anyone else during the week, and I am truly blessed to get to work with the people at D|F every day.

2. What do you like most about the work we do here?

I love that what I do makes an impact in all different communities. Whether it is designing an industrial site that will bring jobs to an area, or a park where families can enjoy time together, I love having the opportunity to improve communities and help them grow. 

3. What are you most proud of in your career so far?

I am most proud of my contribution to the co-op program. I am thrilled every time I get the opportunity to train and mentor civil engineering students. 

4. How would you describe our company’s culture?

As I mentioned before, D|F is like a family. The people here truly care and love one another and want to help each other grow. I have yet to meet anyone at D|F who is only concerned with his or her own personal/professional growth, we are all part of a team, and we are stronger together.

5. What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on here?

My most interesting project, and the one I am most proud of, would be the Glen Raven Fabrics Expansion in Anderson, SC. The project required a lot of coordination throughout the design process because of its unique requirements and intricate details. The part that makes it my favorite project is that this expansion created 135 new jobs in the Anderson area.

6. How long have you been with the company?

I have been with D|F for almost five years. I worked as a co-op for one year and as a full-time employee for four years.

7. What do you think makes our team culture unique?

We are a true team here – we constantly help and encourage one another to be better and grow. No one is concerned solely with his or her own growth, but we all want to see each other succeed and thrive.

8. What are your goals for the next few months/years?

I want to get more involved in our industrial sector. Also, I would like to assist with continuing to grow our co-op program.

9. What’s one thing that you wish people knew about your job?

When it comes to civil site design and permitting, there is never one correct answer. We work in a world full of shades of gray when we wish everything was black or white. If you give the same site to 10 different engineers, you will end up with 10 unique designs, and they will probably all work. There are always different ways to do something, but that does not always mean there are better ways.

10. What’s one thing that surprised you about your current role?

How much fun it can be. I am truly blessed to have found a career where I can work at something I really love. From the first moment I had the opportunity to try site design, I knew this is what I wanted to do, and I have not doubted that for a second. So many people must search for years and change careers to find something they are passionate about, and I got to find what I love very quickly in my life.

11. What’s one thing people don’t know about you that they would be surprised to find out?

I have a 3-year-old daughter, and I am actually pretty good at braiding her hair in lots of unique ways.

12. What’s one thing on your bucket list?

I would love to travel around the world!

13. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you pick and why?

I would love to have dinner with Jesus Christ. Sitting and listening to him would be more beneficial and life-changing than anything else.

14. What would you eat if you had to eat only one meal every day for the rest of your life?

I would probably eat pizza. I think that is one food I could eat and not grow tired of.

15. What was your first concert?

My first concert was Kenny Chesney in 2015.

16. Any other interesting facts you would like to include?

I got married to my wife, Shelby, while we were still in college at Clemson University. That is one of the reasons I went into the co-op program, so I could work and provide for her as I was going through school. It is truly wonderful to look back on my life and see how God has guided me through every step to get me to where I am now.