For more than 25 years, Kenneth F. Fisher Jr. went to work every day in a U.S. Army uniform, most recently as a deputy director of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Baghdad, Iraq. But the retired colonel didn’t find the transition to wearing a suit too difficult, as he brings the same dedication and disciple to his job in the private sector.

Late last year Fisher became senior project manager at the Los Angeles office of Heery International, a construction management, architecture, interior design and engineering firm.

He leads a team of 34 people on 150 projects in construction for a total contract value of $76 million. One of the biggest he is in charge of, and one of the most satisfying to participate in, is the Los Angeles Unified School District project.

“Through the LAUSD project, it is my goal to improve the qualities of education for students,” he said. “Our project includes modernizing and improving the existing schools of the Los Angeles Unified School District.”

In Baghdad, his team rebuilt infrastructure throughout the capital city to improve residents’ lives.

“As you drove the streets of Baghdad, there’s a sense that people wanted to get back to a normal life,” he said. “They wanted what we want. They want a better education and life for their children. I believe our team helped them.”

He said his duties at Heery International have some similarities.

“I am typically in the office before 6, gathering information that needs to be shared at meetings,” he said. “It’s like being in an army. People are part of the construction. You need to take care of people. I feel that we need to invest more in our children’s education.”

Fisher lives in Simi Valley with his wife, Vicki. Despite having been in 20 different countries while serving in the Army, he still loves to travel even going back to the places he’s already been.

Yoo Mi Chin