Growing up, what did you aspire to be?
I’ve always been passionate about construction and design. Growing up, I did woodwork, metal work and built models. I was always involved in building something or putting something together.
Describe your leadership role.
I mentor the teams and work with them to make sure that all our goals as a company are met. The goals apply to our laborers, subcontractors, clients and our overall role in the construction industry. I make sure we do what we say we are going to do.
What is your leadership philosophy?
Being straightforward. I lead by helping people figure out how to be better, to understand different situations and scenarios, and to help them be successful.
What is the best advice you ever received?
To be honest and ethical. It carries you through the industry and through life.
What advice do you have for the next generation of leaders?
My advice for the next generation is to learn to get involved in all aspects of life. Don’t hesitate to step in and be part of it – help figure it out, help move it forward, help make it evolve. Don’t sit back – to be a leader you have to step into it.
What is the toughest professional challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome that challenge?
Trying to figure out different kinds of people in the industry. We work with a lot of different types of people: architects, engineers, clients and subcontractors. I think the toughest thing is to work through all the different types of personalities and try to read people so that you can work with them.
What is your next big personal goal?
My personal goal is to enjoy my family. I have granddaughter and a grandson on the way. My wife and I want to have fun with them – go places, see things, and make them a big part of our lives.
What qualities combine to make a “rock star” business leader?
To me it’s passion in what you do every day: enjoy coming to work, strive to be better and learn something. It’s important for a leader to learn. If I didn’t learn something new everyday then I would not be a good leader. You also have to learn to have fun and not take yourself too seriously. Look at the world with passion but also with some jovial. We have to make this fun; we have to enjoy what we do.
