Bob Wilkinson

President

Central Plateau Cleanup Company

What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?

Our company has been vastly successful in moving cleanup of the Hanford site forward, completing 100% of the year’s milestones and about 30% of the next year’s milestones while compiling cost savings/avoidances in the tens of millions of dollars. While all that could be the most significant success, what makes it actually the most significant success is it was completed without any injuries beyond some minor first aid incidents. This was an honor to witness such an amazing workforce execute while looking out for one another.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Be comfortable with who you are as a leader and don’t be afraid to always learn from those around you who are better at things than you, so you can learn and grow.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

First full-time job was a project manager running four small construction projects between $3M-$8M. I was fresh out of college with significant gaps in knowledge of construction jobs on federal sites. I learned very rapidly that relationships matter, you’re never the smartest person in the room, and for any complex task to be completed successfully, trust in others and enabling others is paramount. Let individuals who are the best at certain aspects lead/shine.

What is your favorite Tri-Cities restaurant and what do you order there?

My wife is in love with Tomi in Kennewick and I love all the sushi. I love barbecue and Swampy’s does an amazing brisket.

What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry?

In my industry (nuclear) it was stale and in a downward trend for numerous years but with the new push for nuclear energy and the change over of the next generation of workers, it’s an exciting time to bring a new nuclear approach with a vastly improving technology approach like AI.