Leading with Quality, Inspiring Confidence
Aaron Hisel-Ritz knows that quality doesn’t start with paperwork. It starts with people. With more than 11 years of experience in construction quality assurance, Aaron brings a calm, methodical approach to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most complex infrastructure projects. From light-rail extensions and airport runways to highway upgrades and commercial facilities, his leadership keeps teams aligned, issues resolved and quality at the forefront.
As Quality Assurance Project Manager for the recently completed Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension project, Aaron led a team of inspectors overseeing elevated tracks, stations and multi-level parking structures. He’s known for his steady leadership in the field, balancing technical accuracy with real-time collaboration among contractors, agency representatives and his team.
Aaron Hisel-Ritz
Quality Assurance Project Manager
Q: Can you recall a specific moment or project outcome that reminded you your work directly benefits the community?
One moment that clearly reminded me my work directly benefits the community was during the completion of the SR 99 bridge. It was the final structure I served on as the lead field inspector, and although it appeared to be a relatively modest piece of infrastructure, its purpose was significant. The bridge was built nearly at grade so that a future project could excavate beneath it to complete the SR 509 expressway connection from Interstate 5 to SeaTac Airport.
Standing on that completed structure, I realized that our work on this single bridge would support not only the new rail line, but also a future regional highway connection that will reduce congestion, improve safety and shorten travel times for thousands of people every day. Seeing how this one element would unlock two major transportation improvements made the contribution feel very real and reminded me of the lasting value our work delivers to the community.
Leading with Purpose
Aaron’s leadership is hands-on and built around efficiency. On the Federal Way project, he streamlined reporting and documentation workflows, accelerating response times and enabling more agile decision-making, helping keep the team on schedule while maintaining quality standards.
Q: Can you estimate how your process improvement helped improve coordination between three contractor teams?
Although our systems evolved throughout the project, we were able to estimate meaningful improvements from the scheduling process overhaul. When we assumed responsibility for the daily inspection schedule, the existing method of capturing updates wasn’t as effective as it could be.
I worked with the prime contractor to implement a formal inspection request system that required production teams to submit next-day needs. This enabled us to generate a consolidated, accurate schedule that was distributed to the owner, contractors and all jurisdictions with inspection authority.
As a result, we reduced schedule conflicts by an estimated 60 to 70 percent, cut daily schedule preparation time by more than half and significantly improved transparency for all parties. The new system ultimately became the governing daily schedule for the entire project and materially improved coordination between the owner, contractors and the quality team.
This focus on improving processes has been a constant throughout his career. Earlier on a major airport runway replacement, Aaron developed clearer sampling and testing methods that made results easier to apply in the field, changes that still inform project quality processes today.
His technical expertise spans specialized areas like post-tensioned concrete, masonry and shotcrete inspection — skills he’s built through continuous professional development and industry certifications that keep him at the forefront of quality assurance practices.
Investing in Others
Aaron’s greatest professional achievement isn’t a project milestone or a technical innovation. It’s watching the people he mentored step into leadership roles of their own. Many of the inspectors he’s coached have advanced into project management and supervisory positions, carrying forward the same approach to quality and collaboration he modeled for them.
On every project, Aaron promotes cross-training and teamwork to ensure that quality isn’t just managed but shared.
Q: What advice do you give to new inspectors starting their first major assignment?
My advice to new inspectors starting their first major assignment centers on three principles.
- Do not be afraid to say you do not know.
No one arrives with all the answers, especially on a large and complex project. The strongest inspectors are the ones who ask questions, seek clarification and use the knowledge of others to make sound decisions. Admitting uncertainty and requesting support is a sign of professionalism, not weaknes2.
- Protect your integrity at all times.
Our work relies on trust, transparency and accountability. Mistakes will occur, but what matters is how you respond. Be honest about what happened, communicate early and take corrective action. Consistent integrity will earn the respect of contractors, engineers and owners
- Stay curious and continually expand your understanding.
Pay attention to how the work is built, not just to the portion you are inspecting. Ask why something is done a certain way. Look for opportunities to improve processes or communication. When you try something new and it does not work perfectly, treat it as progress toward a better solution. Persistence and curiosity are what drive meaningful improvements in our field.
The best part of my job is seeing people gain confidence in what they do. When someone you’ve coached starts leading others, that’s a great feeling.
Grounded in Community
Outside of work, Aaron serves as a volunteer leader with his son’s Boy Scout troop, guiding young people through outdoor challenges, skill development and community service projects. The parallels to his professional life are unmistakable: setting clear expectations, building confidence through hands-on experience and teaching others to take ownership of their work.
Q: What about scouting resonates most with you? Any moment with the Scouts that feels similar to leading inspection teams?
What resonates most with me about scouting is how effectively it teaches foundational life skills. The Scout Law contains twelve simple words, but they represent a complete framework for how to conduct yourself. I rely on those principles every day in my professional work, especially when leading inspection teams.
Another element that stands out is the merit badge program. It introduces scouts to a wide range of subjects and requires them to develop a working understanding of each topic before they can advance. This structure reinforces curiosity, self-discipline and goal setting. It also shows young people the value of learning something new, even if it feels unfamiliar at first.
I see a strong parallel between guiding scouts through challenges and supporting new inspectors in the field. In both situations, you help others build confidence, develop practical skills and learn how to take responsibility for their decisions. Watching people grow into capable, reliable contributors is one of the most rewarding parts of both experiences.
Whether guiding scouts or inspection teams, Aaron leads by example: steady, supportive and driven by purpose. His work with the troop mirrors his professional focus on developing leadership and accountability, values he hopes to model for his son.
A Legacy of Quality and Leadership
Throughout his career on light rail, highway and airport projects across the Seattle region, Aaron has demonstrated that quality isn’t just about compliance. It’s about care, communication and continuous improvement. His work strengthens infrastructure and the teams and communities that depend on it.
Q: What motivates you to keep raising the bar for quality and team performance?
What motivates me to keep raising the bar for quality and team performance is the pride I take in the culture we have built. Our team has worked hard to establish trust, transparency and collaboration with one another, with the contractors in the field and with the owner’s representatives. That level of trust is not automatic. It is earned through consistent follow-through, clear communication and a shared commitment to doing the job the right way.
I also believe that continuous improvement is part of our responsibility. The work will never be perfect, but if we see an opportunity to strengthen our processes, reduce risk or support the project more effectively, we should pursue it. Knowing that our efforts directly influence project success and reflect on the integrity of the team is what pushes me to keep raising the standard.
Our job is to make sure what we build lasts. That takes consistency, trust and a genuine respect for the work and for the people doing it.
Aaron Hisel-Ritz
Quality Assurance Project Manager
Aaron Hisel-Ritz is a construction quality assurance professional with more than 11 years of experience delivering high-impact infrastructure projects across the Seattle region. He holds certifications as an ACI Field Testing Technician, ICC Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector and WABO Special Inspector, with specialized NWCEL training in post-tensioned concrete, masonry and shotcrete inspection. As Quality Assurance Project Manager at Atlas, he leads inspection teams on major public transportation projects and mentors inspectors at all career stages. He’s known for his commitment to quality, team development and community engagement, strengthening both technical excellence and the people who deliver it.
Inside the A-Team: The People of Atlas
Leadership is more than a title. It’s dedication to making a meaningful impact. Inside the A-Team spotlights the professionals at Atlas who drive progress, inspire others and embody our core values. Their commitment to Life enhances the world around us by prioritizing quality and safety. With Heart, they uplift those around them. With Trust, they build strong teams and lasting partnerships and their Mastery fuels innovation and excellence. These are the people shaping the future, and we are proud to share their stories.