*Results Not Typical

Heath Robertson likes solving complex problems.

“If I pick something up, I’m not putting it down until I have figured it out. That’s just always been my mentality,” Robertson said.

Robertson, c ’11, as ’13, has channeled this relentless focus into the company he founded in 2018, VDC Specialists, LLC, which provides virtual 3D construction models for multimillion-square-foot projects like technology data center campuses, stadiums, hospitals and international airports. In collaboration with the electrical contractors, VDC translates the big picture electrical framework of the building into constructible virtual models which improve construction efficiency, lower costs and make it possible for components to be prefabricated off-site.

Becoming an entrepreneur and working in this field wasn’t always on his radar. When he graduated high school, rather than heading straight to college, he went on tour with his rock band with hopes of getting a record deal. Later, motivated in part by the death of his best friend in Afghanistan, he joined the Army only to have his service cut short in two separate enlistments, both by injuries sustained during training.

In between these chapters of his life, he made his way back to Washburn to expand his knowledge and skills. First after quitting the band, when he returned to Washburn Institute of Technology to complete the certificate program he started in high school. Later, while healing in between his two enlistments, he earned his associate’s degree in design technology from the School of Applied Studies. From Washburn, he gained experience and insights that would prove more valuable than he could imagine at the time.

“Gordon Wade was my drafting instructor, which ties so heavily into what I do, and I can’t give him enough credit,” Robertson said.

Military history classes he took with Samuel Newland, now instructor emeritus, criminal justice and legal studies, taught him to think deeply about the many ways to approach leadership.

Even though Robertson’s path to entrepreneurial success didn’t follow a straight line, through each twist and turn, he was gathering valuable knowledge and experience that was building the foundation for VDC. But the biggest key to his success was his wife, Julie Robertson. She was the one who gave him the encouragement and sense of security he needed to take the risk and start his own company.

When Robertson launched VDC, he was the sole employee, operating out of his apartment. He modestly hoped in the first year he’d be able to build enough business to replace his salary. The results would far surpass that goal. He identified a critical need in large-scale construction and had the skills and knowledge to produce results. Because of that, VDC has been growing steadily since day one. Today, the company has a robust team with offices in Lawrence and Dallas, Texas.

Robertson, an Alumni Fellow representing Washburn Tech in 2023, doesn’t take this success lightly or for granted.

“Everything I do, I have to put a big asterisk on it. *Results not typical,” he said. “It’s like I’ve won the lottery four times in a row. I feel incredibly fortunate that, despite the winding and indirect path, I’ve ended up where I am today.”