Joe Breder, PE, mechanical engineer with STV’s buildings group in Philadelphia, recently completed the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Emerging Leaders Program. This intensive program selects diverse young professionals nationwide to develop their leadership skills in engineering.
Breder specializes in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems engineering and values hard work and effective communication to achieve project goals. He has worked on various HVAC upgrade projects for clients such as Lockheed Martin, Amtrak, Boeing and the Delaware River Port Authority.
“The engineering field offers endless opportunities to learn and grow,” Breder said. “As I continue my personal growth, I also want to lead by example and be a role model for young engineers. The Emerging Leaders Program provided tools to improve communication and engage with co-workers, management and clients to build trusting relationships and obtain quality results.”
The five-month program offered guided instruction and mentorship to engineers with a focus on real work-life scenarios and leadership development. Participants learned to excel in the workplace and enhance their leadership qualities. Through the NSPE Emerging Leaders Program, Breder aimed to refine his leadership skills and contribute to his team and the engineering community.
Breder’s journey began with hands-on experience as a first-generation college student. His father was an HVAC technician, and his brother was an electrician. Breder grew up helping them with various side projects doing residential installs and repairs. This early exposure to practical applications sparked his interest in engineering.
“I went to county college out of high school not knowing exactly what I wanted to do but decided to try engineering,” Breder said. “After completing an associate’s degree, I began my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Drexel University. I was able to apply the theory to what I had done with my father, which was rewarding.”
Throughout his career, Breder benefited from strong mentorship, which shaped his professional philosophy. He had very good mentors who emphasized the importance of quality and pride in one’s work. This became a cornerstone of Breder’s approach to engineering and leadership.
Another key lesson Breder learned was the importance of accountability: “Take accountability and ownership of everything you do in life or in your career, no matter how big or small the task is,” Breder said. These principles of pride in work and personal accountability are values Breder constantly reflects on and strives to instill in the new engineers he mentors, creating a cycle of positive professional growth and development.
