A Northern Kentucky native, Robert McBride grew up here and witnessed a lot of changes in Hebron and Boone County. These include new housing, companies like Amazon locating here, infrastructure expansion, and new development at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
This summer, he is working at BE NKY Growth Partnership as an assistant project manager.
Why did you choose to work at the NKY Port, a managed entity of BE NKY, this summer?
Growing up and experiencing all the development in Boone County sparked my interest in architecture and construction. I majored in architecture at Miami University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree earlier this year. A lot of the research and work I did in my undergrad studies had a community-based impact.
During the past year, I took a few economics classes as a non-degree student in order to broaden my skill set and understand the analytical side of development, rather than just the design. I think working with the NKY Port and BE NKY aligns closely with my interests.
What projects have you been involved with at BE NKY?
I work with Northern Kentucky Port Authority Executive Director Christine Russell and Real Estate and Project Manager Mark Grauwelman, helping with the OneNKY Center and SparkHaus projects.
For SparkHaus, I helped with the RFP process for an accounting firm. For the OneNKY Center, I assisted with finishing touches for the building.
I completed analyses for various Northern Kentucky sites, providing digital and data-based information including nearby industries, civilian labor force, transit, commute profiles and business profiles of specific regions. I am also working with Research Analyst Ashby Drummond, assisting him in creating a company-wide impact study through individual impact studies of project wins.
I am learning a lot, especially about the financial side of owning and constructing buildings and the non-profit structure of BE NKY.
What experience have you brought with you to BE NKY?
A few summers ago, I spent six weeks in Abrem Essiam, Ghana, with Miami’s architecture department. We built a house for two teachers and their families to provide them with free housing in the village. We built the house by hand, even making bricks, and collaborated with villagers to build the house in a local style.
I experienced some culture shock going to Ghana. Their infrastructure network is less advanced and there aren’t many tall buildings. However, the people I met, and the beauty of the country made this trip a lasting memory. It was a great experience where I learned a lot and contributed to something meaningful.
Last summer, I also worked on a design/build in Over-the-Rhine, working alongside 15 students to renovate Peaslee Neighborhood Center. This building had water damage on the third floor, so we converted a room into office space that could be rented out to other nonprofits.
What are your future plans?
I hope to continue attending educational events in the region because the network of people I met so far has been extremely valuable.
I graduated from Miami University last year and I am going back to Miami in the fall to study economics in graduate school.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to be physically active. I enjoy running, working out and hiking with friends and family at Red River Gorge. My favorite trail is Cloud Splitter because of the views at the top! Additionally, I love watching sci-fi movies, reading and spending time with my dog, Pepper.
About the Northern Kentucky Port Authority
The Northern Kentucky Port Authority (NKY Port) was jointly formed as an economic development organization by Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in 1968 under the provisions of KRS 65.510 to 65.650. The NKY Port is a managed entity of BE NKY Growth Partnership and it was activated in 2022 as a real estate and development tool as a key initiative of the Build + Elevate Northern Kentucky investor campaign.
