The majority of archaeology in the United States is conducted as part of cultural resource management (CRM) compliance-based projects. At least 95 percent of the funding in the US for archaeology is spent on CRM, and over 80 percent of professional archaeologists are employed in CRM positions in the private, public, or academic (teaching applied archaeology or conducting CRM investigations within academic institutions). Managing these projects in a way that balances project development with the protection of our rare archaeological resources is a challenging, often rewarding, and often frustrating career. Developing relationships with agencies, clients, and stakeholders is just as important as developing new field methodologies and staying on schedule and under budget. Managing exciting projects throughout the country goes hand-in-hand with understanding regulatory frameworks of each state and the subtle nuances of tribal coordination and public outreach.