If there’s one thing Spencer Wignall, P.E., brings to both his work and daily commute, it’s intention. As a project manager in Snyder’s transportation group, and an avid bike commuter, he’s constantly thinking ahead, connecting details, and finding better ways to get from point A to point B.
Role: Civil Engineer & Project Manager
Team: Ankeny Transportation Group
Years at Snyder: 10
From Co-Op to Career
Spencer’s journey with Snyder & Associates started early. After joining as a co-op intern in 2014 and 2015, he quickly knew he had found the right place.
“Snyder felt like home; a place I felt safe, valued, and seen.”
Ten years later, that sense of belonging still fuels his work and growth.
What He Does (and Why It Matters)
As a Civil Engineer and Project Manager, Spencer plays a key role in turning client visions into reality. He works closely with clients to ensure his team always has an accurate understanding of their goals. Coordination with contractors and Snyder staff members allow for projects to stay aligned from concept through construction.
From developing schedules and agreements to overseeing construction administration and coordinating field staff, Spencer thrives on bringing complex efforts together.
But beyond the technical responsibilities, he emphasizes something less obvious:
“Being inviting, kind, and honest is more important than being right. When you can work together as a team, any problem becomes an opportunity.”
Blending Passion with Profession
Professionally, Spencer is passionate about pedestrian and recreational facilities. Personally, that passion carries straight into his everyday life, especially on two wheels.
His love for biking started in childhood, riding to school and activities with friends, a sense of independence he later rediscovered in adulthood. Today, biking is both a lifestyle and a mindset.
After a medical event that made him reflect on mobility, cycling became even more meaningful and now plays a central role in his routine.
Life on Two Wheels
For Spencer, biking to work is more than just a commute; it’s a daily reset. With boundless joy, and endorphins, biking gives him time to prepare for the day and unwind afterward.
What used to be a 50-minute drive has become something far more valuable: built-in time for physical and mental wellness. Whether riding solo or coaching his daughter’s peewee soccer team and biking to games together, it’s all part of a lifestyle that prioritizes connection, health, and balance.
His favorite ride? The next one that allows him to explore new routes.
Recent adventures include trail rides in Decorah, IA and a 30-mile journey from the Mississippi River to Elkader, IA.
How Biking Shapes His Work
Cycling doesn’t just keep Spencer energized; it directly influences how he approaches engineering and project management.
Riding gives him firsthand insight into how pedestrians and cyclists experience infrastructure, helping him design with empathy and real-world awareness. At the same time, the planning required for a successful bike commute requires weather checks, logistics, timing, and preparation; mirroring the mindset needed to manage projects effectively.
“If you forget something important, the feedback is immediate. You learn to trust but verify. The same can be said for project management.”
A Culture That Supports the Whole Person
Spencer credits Snyder’s culture for making it possible to fully integrate his passions into his career. From practical amenities like bike racks and showers to flexible scheduling and supportive leadership, the environment encourages balance.
More importantly, it’s the people.
“The menagerie of life is on full display when you tap into a Snyder employee’s passion.”
Whether colleagues share similar interests or bring entirely different ones to the table, that diversity fuels creativity and connection.
Advice for Future Team Members
For those considering a career at Snyder, Spencer keeps it simple:
“You’re about to work with a great group of individuals who will actively seek you out to be part of a team that delivers aspirations and overcomes complex problems.”
His advice? Be curious, ask questions, and discover what drives you because at Snyder, those passions are put to use.
And if there’s one quality that defines success here:
“There is no mold that you must fit into, rather you must have the spirit that drives us. At Snyder, we are driven to help the communities we serve by creating and executing plans that provide resilient and right-sized solutions.”
