I had the distinct honor of touring the Obama Presidential Center, currently under construction on the South Side of Chicago. While still in progress, what I witnessed was more than just a building site—it was the heartbeat of a movement being etched into history.
Unlike traditional presidential libraries, the Obama Presidential Center is envisioned as a campus, deeply rooted in the community that helped shape the 44th President of the United States. Strategically located near the Museum of Science and Industry and surrounded by public schools, this Center isn’t just a tribute—it’s a bridge between education, innovation, and cultural legacy.
Walking the Grounds with Harrison Staley
Joining me on this visit was Harrison Staley, a project executive with Ardmore Roderick, the firm overseeing the construction of the Center. A Chicago native with over 28 years of experience in engineering and construction management, Staley is more than a technical lead—he’s a mission-driven professional with deep ties to the same community the Center was designed to serve.
His presence on this project speaks volumes. For Staley, the Obama Presidential Center represents more than steel and glass—it symbolizes the full-circle realization of a dream once deferred, then reimagined through service, education, and STEM.
Tyrone Taborn with Jean Hamilton and Harrison Staley.
Leading Change from the Ground Up
After earning a mechanical engineering degree with a structural concentration, Staley secured his first job at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. But he knew he needed more. To close the knowledge gap in construction management, he pursued a master’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and earned a Certified Construction Manager credential—decisions he credits with transforming his career trajectory.
Today, Harrison Staley leads the multi-million-dollar construction of the Obama Presidential Center. The project spans 19.3 acres and includes an eight-story museum tower, a library, a forum, a two-story parking garage, and an expansive park that partially covers the site. With over 225,000 square feet of buildings, the campus will serve as a launchpad for civic engagement, education, and innovation.
Previously, Staley led the $500 million Midway Modernization and Capital Improvement Programs for the Chicago Department of Aviation, managing projects like a new $150 million parking garage, a $100 million pedestrian bridge, and $60 million in new concessions.
Advocacy, Insight, and the Next Generation
Outside of project work, Staley remains deeply involved in advancing the profession. He serves on the boards of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Chicago Chapter and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA). Nationally, he chairs the Board of Governors for the Construction Management Certification Institute (CMCI).
His advice for young professionals is grounded and practical: focus early, develop time management skills, and remember that experience matters.
“I went to college at 17, and I could’ve focused more on my studies,” he reflected. “I did fine but could have done better and still have time to do all the other stuff later.”
He also believes simple skills can offer a lasting edge: “Just being able to type 50–60 words a minute puts you ahead of most people who still do not know the keyboard.”
The Work Ahead—and the Workforce Gap
Staley is bullish on the future of engineering. With the U.S. infrastructure bill injecting $110 billion into rebuilding 173,000 miles of roads and 45,000 bridges, demand for engineers has never been higher.
“There are about 660 school buildings in Chicago Public Schools—there’s always something that needs fixing,” he said. “And at airports like O’Hare, work never stops.”
Staley emphasized the urgency of filling the workforce gap: “More people are retiring than kids coming into the field. In this industry, experience means everything. They need more and more engineers—whether for roads, bridges, or buildings. And the salaries will be high because the demand is high.”
A Symbol of What’s Possible
As I walked the grounds of the Obama Presidential Center with Harrison Staley, I saw more than an infrastructure project. I saw the blueprint for a new kind of legacy—one not built solely in marble or memory, but in opportunity.
The Center is a monument to civic leadership. But in the hands of professionals like Staley—who represent both the past struggles and future brilliance of underrepresented communities—it becomes something more.
It becomes a movement.
Tyrone Taborn and Dr. Farmer, COO of UL Research Institutes.
From Piloting Dreams to Groundbreaking Impact
In high school, Harrison Staley dreamed of becoming a military pilot and eventually a commercial airline captain. He applied to service academies, visited the U.S. Naval Academy, and even attended a submarine inauguration ceremony through connections made in the BEYA STEM community. Though ultimately not accepted into the flight training program, he pivoted toward engineering—a decision that would shape his life's work.
He enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a strong background in math and science. Despite taking AP courses, he didn’t sit for the exams, knowing that the Naval Academy wouldn’t accept credits in place of coursework. Engineering, however, proved to be a fitting path.
BEYA as a Catalyst
During his early college years, Staley attended the BEYA STEM Conference, where he experienced something rare: a critical mass of Black engineering students. In stark contrast to lecture halls at Illinois—where he often found only two or three students of color in rooms of 200—BEYA offered a sense of belonging and visibility.
Now approaching its 40th anniversary in 2026, the BEYA STEM Conference remains a cornerstone of his professional journey. It was at BEYA where he cultivated relationships, explored career options, and ultimately laid the foundation for a leadership role in engineering and infrastructure.