Jason Kreger, CAD Systems Manager for Autodesk products at Lochmueller Group, has spent nearly 25 years navigating the evolving intersection of civil engineering and digital design. What began as a teenage fascination with hand drafting and AutoCAD has developed into a career centered around enabling smarter workflows and empowering teams with technology. In this interview, Jason reflects on the shifts he’s seen in the AEC industry, the role of automation in project delivery, and how a walk with the family (and dog) keeps it all in balance.
Career and Industry Evolution
Jason’s entry into AEC was sparked early, through a love of drawing and an early exposure to AutoCAD. A high school opportunity to work as a survey technician turned his interest into a profession, eventually leading him into the civil engineering technology space.
“I’ve had an interest in hand drafting and AutoCAD since I was a young teenager. That passion eventually dovetailed into a career in surveying and civil engineering technology.”
Over the last two and a half decades, Jason has seen the industry shift from siloed systems to deeply integrated technology platforms that support seamless collaboration. What once required manual data migration between isolated tools is now increasingly automated and interconnected.
“I’ve been in the field for nearly 25 years, and the biggest change has been the explosion of interconnected technological solutions. Things are far more streamlined now—and the monitors are easier to look at, too.”
Despite his title, Jason’s days rarely follow a predictable pattern. From firefighting daily challenges to shaping major and minor initiatives across the firm, his role demands adaptability and foresight.
TECH
Technology and Collaboration
For Jason, the most rewarding moments come when automation transforms the way teams work. Whether streamlining tedious tasks or scaling solutions organization-wide, these improvements drive motivation and excitement.
“My favorite moments are when you successfully automate a task for someone and they get really excited about it. Watching that scale across an organization is pretty rewarding.”
Among the many tech tools he works with, the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) stands out. Jason recently supported a team designing utility-scale renewable energy projects using ACC—an experience that underscored the platform’s ability to unite distributed teams and support robust data sharing.
“We only scratched the surface of what ACC can do, but it allowed us to hire and retain valuable people from all over the country, and share data seamlessly.”
One particularly impactful experience came from using Dynamo to automate staging plan processes for solar fields. By identifying formulaic, repeatable manual tasks, Jason’s team was able to reduce project time by an estimated 40%.
FIT
Work-Life Balance and Focus
Even with a high-pressure role, Jason makes space to recharge. Twice a week, he commits to cardio and light weight training at the gym—not as a daily habit, but as a reliable mental and physical reset.
“It’s a great break from the daily grind. It gets you into a completely different zone, apart from work.”
At home, when the weather cooperates, Jason and his family take evening walks through local parks and trails. The routine not only helps them reconnect after the workday but also gives the family dog a much-needed adventure.
MIND
Technology for Mental Balance and Productivity
To manage the demands of his multifaceted role, Jason relies on Trello or Microsoft Planner as a digital hub for organizing tasks, setting priorities, and tracking his progress. These tools offer clarity during busy weeks and serve as a quick reference when leadership asks for updates.
“For years, I’ve used Trello or Planner to manage my workload. It’s where I plan my daily and weekly activities, and it’s a great reporting tool too.”
When it comes to staying sharp and inspired, Jason turns to LinkedIn. His advice for others in the AEC space? Follow those doing interesting work, save the posts that spark curiosity, and revisit them regularly to pull out actionable ideas.
“Go through your saved folder once a month—or more if you can—and try out what you’ve learned.”
Looking Ahead
Jason Kreger’s journey from high school survey tech to CAD Systems Manager is marked by a consistent drive to learn, adapt, and simplify. With a deep appreciation for automation and collaboration, he continues to find motivation in the ripple effects of small efficiencies made scalable.
As the AEC industry charges forward with smarter, more connected tools, Jason remains grounded in the fundamentals—stay curious, build useful solutions, and always make time for a walk in the park.
LinkedIn: Jason Kreger | LinkedIn
Contact: jason.kreger@lochgroup.com
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