Today we’d like to introduce you to Oskar Granquist.
Hi Oskar, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My initial start of Granquist and Associates, LLC in late 2015, https://www.granquistandassociates.com/
actually began as OGPACCOR in 1991. At that time, I served on several NGO boards and was heavily involved in international business in the Engineering and AEC/EPC sectors- Specifically with LATAM, EU and US entities Being fluent in Spanish as a second language, the firms for which I worked, as well as some NGO agencies, asked me to join their Boards of Directors, or sit-in on panels to discuss my approach to bridging gaps that can occur when you have international business as well as domestic business interactions and in complex engineering, technical, political and cultural programs and projects. I have always had the best mentors and coaches that you can learn from. Those most significant are my Parents. I grew up in a house of Government Aerospace/Defense Engineering works and have always been involved in that area of business. After years of being an active contributor to Boards of Directors, such as SAN DIEGO DIPLOMACY COUNCIL, as Key Liaison for Business within the LATAM/USA sectors – https://sandiegodiplomacy.org/our-partners/, the US PROPELLER CLUB OF SAN DIEGO, CA https://propellerclubsandiego.org/ AWWA https://www.awwa.org/ and World Affairs Council OF LOS ANGELES, HTTPs://lawac.org/ and more recently as Co-Founder of Farm Direct Minnesota https://farmdirectminnesota.com/ , I am being asked more frequently to discuss strategy, client capture development and deployment, marketing and strategic pursuits overall team development, leadership skills, providing solutions to clients, and team development within multi-cultural environs.
Going from heavy Geo-Political, Military, Industrial, Oil and Gas engineering and programs sectors, to the early 2000’s: When I became more immersed in water, power and energy programs and projects, still US and Global in scope and scale. I was also lending my time and also learning from other business professionals that had been consulting for decades and what approaches they used. One common denominator is that you bring your experience and passion to the table. Know your audience, hear what they are saying, and understand with empathy, care, compassion and focus on ‘their’ direction. If it is a fit, then start to formulate a strategy for end achieving their end results. The challenges they are facing and what viable solutions you can bring to the table. That is the value of the relationship.
Like any real-life situation, there are no short-cuts, nor pretending to be ‘everything to everyone’. Bringing my experiences and passion, and “outside the box” ideas and solutions that whether it be with firms, agencies, or individuals alike: When they get on-board and are excited about what we are going to do, ” we all paddle the canoe in the same direction” When this happens, it is a great thing for all involved and it gets me excited to know that I am helping and making a difference. I always grew up with the understanding that you ‘always leave things better than you found them.’
Today, the character, drive, creativity are key driving elements on my overall integrity to bring viable and measurable value to those that I serve, as well as for those who have been life mentors to me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In consulting, unless you are part of the ownership of a larger firm that bought you out, and kept you in as an ‘in-house’ consultant, there is no easy, consistent or smooth road. You have to be an entrepreneur first of all, and have to have experience that will be of use and have a sustainable audience or sector from which to work. My background is somewhat unique in that I have a diverse and global hands-on experience that many do not. In larger firms, I developed and deployed significant pursuits, partnerships, and growth, much of this based on my international and diversified portfolio of clients, cultures, team development and scopes of work. So, you always have to be open to many types of headwinds, riding the wave, and always learning something new each day and “keep the ball moving forward.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love what I do. I typically work within the AEC and Infrastructure/Utility sectors which includes alternative energy and power programs. I also work within the NGO areas, specifically in areas that do not have safe drinking water, access to power, or common medical access. I have also enjoyed doing occasional Pro-Bono works for non-profits, such as YMCA, SCORE, and my Alumni at San Diego State University and certain Diplomacy Councils. Always looking to Provide solutions to complex issues and problems, strategic development, team development and client capture strategies. I have always liked the hunt/strategy and enjoy the fruits of that work and results upon completion.
I am known for coming into a room, hearing what the Owner/Principals challenges are, and what they want to accomplish. I am a ‘straight from the hip’ but polished presenter and am as comfortable and effective on the jobsite as I am on the 100th floor with the top brass. I am a trusted advisor and strategist to many and have their trust and confidence in all that we do. If I do not know the solution or answer, I will defer or advise them to another resource or asset.
Proudest professional achievements would include being part of one of the largest programs/projects in the Pacific Northwest, when I was with HDR as Pursuits Leader for large water programs. This project was funded in the State of Washington and to-date is one of, if not the largest water restoration project designed with keep the Hood Canal and great Puget Sound water quality at a level that would be sustainable and protect millions of species of wildlife, multiple potable water tables, sustain hood canal oyster farms and protect several communities and multiple sovereign nations that surrounded or owned tribal nation states surrounding the great Puget Sound area. This was a multi-Billion dollar project, with multiple key stakeholders, regulatory agencies, rights of way and many other community and Environmental input and communications. More details can be provided, but the larger and most immediate heavy lift, was having all those living or operating on the water’ edge convert from septic systems to sewer……Not a popular of inexpensive scenario at the time, In the end , the project was a huge success and is a case study for many water and environmental agencies to refer to as a sustainable resource. I have been fortunate to be directly involved with numerous projects of this scope and importance, but this was one of the most complex and compelling.
I get out of bed looking ahead at what the day may bring in my personal and professional life. I relish in environments that require quick thinking and resolve as well as taking time to sit and look at the bigger picture that surrounds me in my day-to-day world professionally, and in my personal life such as sitting on my deck and looking and the water and wildlife therein, working on our garden and property. Whether it is going for a hike, a motorcycle ride, surfing, skiing or presenting a new business strategy to a team, these are some of the things that I enjoy most. I like the diversity of what each day brings and the creativeness, passion and appreciation for all that I do with my Family, in Life and with those I work with.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Of course, none of us can take 100% credit for what we do, who we are and our value in our professions. As mentioned earlier, I have had some of the best mentors, coaches and teammates one could hope for. I have been very fortunate in having those that believed and believe in me for my integrity, work ethic, teaming abilities and passion for what I do, and in the trust given to me by those allowing me to grow, gain the experience, scrape my chin and learn and for never assuming anything about anyone and anything. I sat in on many of their presentations, helped prepare presentations, and learned each and everyday from those around me. Gathering competitive intelligence is one of my strong points and again was mentored unto me my many. It has allowed me to strategize many of my approaches and one of the reasons I am hired is due to my ability to do this. My mentors include my Parents, Wife, my younger Siblings, My Seasoned Neighbors/Extended Family Veterans, My College Professors who recognized my unique strategic strengths before I did, and the numerous Professionals that I worked for and with, and that they saw in me the ability to take charge with some of their most trusted relationships and let me lead. I am always thankful to all those around me, now and in the past for their teachings, mentoring, sharing of knowledge and guidance. For those that has passed on, I have always carried their teachings with me. I am thankful for all that I have and hold.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://granquistandassociates.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oskarg/
