Michael Preston Rice has always had an interest in building. A native of Corner, he graduated from Auburn University in May 2009 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.
The next year he went to work for the Alabama Department of Transportation in Birmingham, where he worked on some of the busiest sections of interstate in Alabama.
A member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Warrior, he enjoys playing golf and collecting black and white photography. This young professional is a senior project manager at EEFS Company in Bessemer, where he has worked since 2015. Michael is wired to seek ways to make things better.
Tell me about EEFS Company.
Michael: We are a full-service civil engineering and land survey company. Our clients include municipalities, construction companies and commercial and residential developers.
What are your responsibilities at EEFS?
Michael: I oversee most of the engineering design and surveying tasks for our company. This includes working with clients on preliminary designs, performing initial surveys and overseeing the permitting process with municipalities.
What has been rewarding in your position?
Michael: I am always excited to see infrastructure built that improves the quality of life for people. When one of our designs accomplishes that goal, it is very rewarding.
How do you spend your weekends?
Michael: I have two very active children, so I am usually taking them to a team event or to visit their grandparents on the weekends. When I am free, I really enjoy playing a round of golf.
Speak to a memorable construction project.
Michael: There have been many. However, a concrete pavement rehabilitation project on I-20/59 near Birmingham that I managed, along with a new section of concrete pavement on I-65 in Hoover and my work on the I-20/59 split to Oporto Madrid, were all memorable infrastructure projects. I have much respect for the amount of work that goes into safely constructing and building infrastructure on busy sections of roadway.
Who is your favorite college team?
Michael: War Eagle. I am an Auburn fan, and I bleed orange and blue.
Tell me about your family.
Michael: I am the middle child of the five children of Marilyn and Mike Rice. I have been married for 17 years to my high school sweetheart, Rebecca. We met in high school, dated through our college years and married immediately after graduation.
We have two children, Avery, 11, who is in the sixth grade, and John Parker, 5, who is in kindergarten.
What is your favorite meal?
Michael: I have always enjoyed a pot roast with new potatoes, carrots and green beans, and for dessert a slice of pound cake, with a cup of coffee, of course.
