Turkey-native Ogul Elar thought his time in the U.S. was behind him – but an email from an old connection opened the door to a new chapter.
Now, he’s embracing a fresh start in Indiana with his family, bringing his world of experience to Meyer Najem.
For many, the thought of coming out of semi-retirement and uprooting your life to move halfway across the world is daunting, if not unimaginable. But for Ogul Elar, a Senior Estimator at Meyer Najem, it was an opportunity to embrace a new chapter in life—one that brought him back to the United States and, more importantly, introduced his family to the place that had shaped so much of his career.
Ogul’s journey began in the coastal city of Izmir, Turkey, where he was immersed in American culture from an early age. After graduating from the American Collegiate Institute, a high school in Izmir, Ogul pursued a Civil Engineering degree, driven by his desire to further his education in the United States. But his goals weren’t only based on academics and a future career—he also had three key items on his bucket list: exploring the Windy City, watching Michael Jordan play, and seeing Pearl Jam play live. The first goal to cross off that list was easy. He enrolled in the Construction Management program at the Illinois Institute of Technology and moved to Chicago.
After graduating, Ogul’s career took off in Indiana, where he spent 11 years working with major general contractors such as Powers & Sons, Summit Construction, and The Hagerman Group. He quickly developed a strong attachment to the Indianapolis area, forming friendships and creating lasting memories while leaving a memorable impression on his network of friends and associates. During this time, he also checked off the second item on his bucket list—watching Michael Jordan play (even if it was a Wizards game) However, in 2010, family responsibilities called him back to Turkey, and Ogul reluctantly said goodbye to the state that had become his second home.
Back in Turkey, Ogul settled into a comfortable life (growing “rounder and balder”) along the Aegean Sea, embracing the joys of family. While caring for his mother, who sadly passed away in 2015, he met his wife, Zeynep, an English teacher, and together they welcomed their son, Duruk, affectionately nicknamed Dodo. Ogul continued his career in construction, eventually working as a self-employed project manager and business development consultant.
“I am not a recruiter. I work in HR for Meyer Najem Construction. Would you be open to a conversation?”
John Kilbury, a Senior Project Manager at Meyer Najem, played a pivotal role in bringing Ogul back to the U.S. Their paths had crossed years ago when John was an intern at the same company where Ogul was already making his mark. “I was tapping into my network, asking for recommendations, and a former colleague suggested Ogul,” John said John who passed his contact information along but figured it was a shot in the dark at best.
Meanwhile, halfway around the world, Ogul got the shock of a lifetime when he opened an email from Meyer Najem recruiter, Eric Patz. While interested, Ogul knew the realities of how much of a hurdle getting through immigration would be. The two scheduled and interview to find out more.
During Ogul’s interview, it was clear to Executive Vice President of Preconstruction, Pat Davis, that they had found someone exceptional. “We instantly connected,” Pat recalls. “It’s hard to find someone with this much experience for a construction estimator position. I knew right away it was worth the effort to sponsor his visa and bring him here.”
“The immigration process was long, involved, and at times, incredibly frustrating. We were asked to list international awards, like the Nobel Peace Prize—it was that intense. There were moments when it looked like it wasn’t going to happen, but we knew Ogul was worth the effort,” Pat said. “Given the tough immigration regulations, I didn’t expect to return to the U.S., no matter how well the interview process went,” Ogul said. “Then, eight months later, I received an email giving me the green light. It was surreal—we were officially welcomed back to America!”
What followed was a whirlwind of activity. In just over six weeks, Ogul, his wife, son, and their beloved Maltese Terrier packed their lives into six suitcases and embarked on a 28-hour journey from Izmir to Indiana. The rapid pace of their departure was underscored by their last day in Turkey: “I locked up our house, picked up my son from school on the last day of the year, said our goodbyes, and headed straight to the airport,” Ogul recalled.
Now, two months into their new life in Indiana, Ogul’s excitement is clear. The Elar family is settled into an apartment in Carmel filled with quickly-built Ikea furniture. Dodo is a 4th-grader at Carmel Elementary and Zeynep spends her days supporting Dodo with his adjustment to his new life while she waits for her work permits that will allow her to resume her career teaching English.
A Different perspective
“Beyond that, he’s incredibly driven and hungry to build a new resume with us. His aggressive approach, coupled with an amazing attention to detail and a strong work ethic, sets him apart. Ogul possesses skills that you can’t really train people for; they come from years of hands-on experience and a true passion for the work,” Pat Davis said.
Reflecting on the challenges of the immigration process and the move itself, Ogul feels nothing but gratitude. “We’re incredibly fortunate that everything fell into place,” he says.
Returning after 14 years, he’s struck by the changes—especially the proliferation of roundabouts in Carmel—but it’s the warmth and hospitality of the Hoosier community that have left a lasting impression on his family.
“For my wife and son, this is their first time in the U.S., and they’ve been soaking up every moment,” Ogul shares. “It’s a dream come true to bring them here and to be part of the Meyer Najem family.” And as for that third box on his list? Ogul saw Pearl Jam live back in 2000. And again in 2001. And 2002. In fact, Ogul has seen the Seattle band more than 20 times! But now he has a new bucket list item – to take his wife and son with him to the next show!
