30 Construction Superintendents Who Are Changing the Industry

This blog originally appeared on the PlanGrid Construction Productivity Blog

Meet the 2019 Tech Powered Superintendents

Construction superintendents are among the hardest working individuals in the entire industry. They play a critical role in project success, coordinating nearly every detail on the field. In addition to mental resilience, fierce leadership skills and grit and determination, today’s most successful superintendents are embracing tech and innovation to empower their teams.

Our 2019 Tech Powered Superintendents list recognizes the field leaders who are progressing the entire construction industry forward. Today, we are honored to share our list with our readers. Scroll below to get to know these top superintendents in construction.

The list is in alphabetical order by last name. Jump to each spotlight, using the following index:

1. 1. Ricardo Andrade, Standard Drywall
   2. Tiffany Boston, Skanska USA
   3. Kasie Bowden, Hensel Phelps
   4. Tim Carson, Crossland Construction Company, Inc.
   5. John Caruso, J&J Acoustics
   6. Chase Corcorran, Webcor
   7. Paul Cornale, KSW Mechanical LLC
   8. Josh Currie, OEG
   9. Alan Dillon, DPR Construction
   10. Kaitlin Frank, Dome Construction
   11. Willie Ghilotti, Ghilotti Construction Company
   12. Paul Gigliotti, Cupertino Electric Inc. (CEI)
   13. Keo Hamamoto, BEK, Inc.
   14. Stacey Harris, Consigli Construction
   15. Andy Hernandez, R&H Construction
   16. Victoria Julian, DPR Construction
   17. Robert Kipp, Delta Air Lines, Inc.
   18. Francisco Manrique, W.E. O’Neil Construction
   19. Sean O’Connor, Environmental Contracting Corporation (ECC)
   20. Kevin O’Keefe, McCarthy Building Companies
   21. Charley Parent, Lockheed Corp.
   22. Dennis Parker, Hoar Construction
   23. Chad Restovich, Seawood Builders
   24. Ramon Roman, Moss
   25. Kyle Smith, W.E. O’Neil
   26. Jon Stranberg, VECA Electric & Technologies
   27. Jennifer Vides, Turner Construction Company
   28. Rusty Welch, Corti Construction
   29. Adam Wojack, Clune Construction
   30. Jim Yechout, Mortenson Construction

1. Ricardo Andrade

Company: Standard Drywall
Job Title:Project Superintendent
Location:San Diego, CA

Working at an ENR top five nationally ranked contractor in the wall and ceiling industry, Ricardo Andrade brings immense passion and expertise to his role as Project Superintendent at Standard Drywall. When it comes to implementing construction technology on the job, he takes a very innovative approach. He has been crucial in setting up custom workflows and project templates that have been used as a benchmark across the company. 

“Ricardo is a core technology user at Standard Drywall. Many employees ask for his direction, advice and tips.”

Interview:

• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: Stonehenge or the Great Pyramids.
• What's one construction trend that you think is overhyped?: Title 24- Building Energy Standards
• The best piece of advice you ever received: Organize yourself so that if you die the next guy take right over. Make good things better, make bad things good and learn from yours and others' mistakes.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: Take my family on vacation, help my family get out of debt, purchase family members a home, pay for my kids' college fund, donate to my favorite charity, and finally open up a youth sports school facility for soccer, baseball, softball, rugby, football, field hockey, etc.

2. Tiffany Boston

Company: Skanska USA
Job Title: Assistant Superintendent
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Tiffany Boston first became interested in the construction industry while she was attending West Point. Her first construction superintendent role was actually for the U.S. Army in Bagram, Afghanistan, where she developed a strong skill set for building teams and fostering safety. Today, as an Assistant Superintendent for Skanska in Southern California, she empowers her crews to work with the highest standards of quality and safety. She has a track record for adopting cutting-edge technology on projects, like BIM 360 Field, to track scope changes and punchlists.

Interview:

• Favorite project you’ve ever worked on: My favorite project so far was for a confidential client a few years ago. It was exhausting due to the extremely high OPTEMPO, but it created strong bonds between all the team members. There was always something exciting going on there, and the logistics were a nightmare sometimes, but that’ s part of what made it fun. It wasn’t unusual for me to walk 10-12 miles in a shift because of how large the project was.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: If I could work on one project in all of history it would be my Rockbound Highland Home: USMA (West Point). It’s hard to believe how much of that was built without the technology we have today.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: One of the construction technologies that I cannot live without is HoloBuilder. It is the perfect app for documenting project progress and has actually saved our subs from having to do expensive rework several times.
• The accomplishment you’re most proud of: I’m most proud of graduating from the Sapper Leader Course. It’s the premier Engineer school in the (U.S.) Army, and it’s definitely the most physically and psychologically grueling thing I’ve ever done. I still keep in touch with those instructors even though they were pounding us into dust every day. I’d recommend it to every combat arms leader.
• Something that surprises most people: I get legitimate double takes when people find out how much I enjoy the LA Philharmonic and when they find out that I still watch “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” even though it comes on before sunrise.
• If you weren’t in construction, what would you be doing?: I guess I’d be jobless? But if I HAD to pick, I’d probably be a youth minister or work in children’s television.
• What’s one construction trend you think is overhyped?:I think one issue that’s overhyped is technology replacing people. Even if you use a robot to weld, you can’t use just anybody to run that machine or inspect the welds. You have to use an experienced, certified welder and a certified inspector.
• Your theme song: Praise You in this Storm (Casting Crowns)

3. Kasie Bowden

Company: Hensel Phelps
Job Title: Project Superintendent, LEED AP
Location: North Tustin, CA

Kasie Bowden is a powerhouse Project Superintendent who has worked for Hensel Phelps in the Los Angeles area for the past 12 years. Trade partners praise her ability to see the big picture, keep all parties successful and have a little fun along the way. Her specialties include total program scheduling and phasing, design management from concept through 100% Contract Documents, and extensive MEPF coordination. Kasie’s experience ranges from education and healthcare to aviation. Valuing $1.5B in completed work, milestone programs include the RFK Community School (formerly the Ambassador Hotel), The Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Center Renovation and over $1B in aviation renovation programs at 3 major terminals at LAX. Kasie is a graduate of the University of Southern California Civil Engineering program.

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: My favorite project I’ve worked on was the site of the old Ambassador Hotel, now Robert F. Kennedy Community School. This was a 26-acre site, split into two major projects including a substantial amount of self-performed concrete. Even though I was a newer employee, I was on the front lines, helping with survey and layout activities on our foundations. Towards the end of that activity, my peers started focusing on interiors and I had the opportunity to manage the remaining foundations’ schedule, craft and placements on my own. I also worked for two incredible superintendents on that project, and they were integral in developing my love for the field. I credit their mentorship as a governing factor in my decision to become a superintendent.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: I enjoy and respect great craftsmanship; small details that make a huge impact. I’d love to have worked on a large mosque or temple – the Hagia Sophia in Turkey for its incredible spans and painted ceilings, or The White Temple in Thailand with its intricate carving and details. These places bring beauty to meaning to people of all backgrounds, regardless of their personal beliefs.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: Any software that can communicate in 3D the interim and final product of a renovation. At LAX, we interface with stakeholders who aren’t necessarily familiar with plan-reading. So, showing them a set of drawings doesn’t always help them visualize the impacts to an operational terminal. Instead, we get creative, either “flying” through the model on a monitor during meetings or taking it a step further and donning our 3D lenses so people can truly be immersed in the space and get a feel for the experience of the final product.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of: Co-founding WiOPS. We started this idea in 2012, asking ourselves if we really needed a group for women in construction. Now, just a few years later, we have over 1400 members in NorCal and SoCal and anywhere from 70–130 in attendance at our monthly events. I think we have our answer.
• If you didn't work in construction, what do you think you'd be doing?: Even though I’m already on the board of a non-profit (I’m currently the Vice President of the Southern California Chapter of WiOPS), I think this is something that I’ll always make time to do. Giving back is something that’s important to me. If it wasn’t construction, it would likely be some organization tied to bringing the arts to underserved communities. Allowing children to tap into that creative energy helps them learn to think outside the box and solve complex problems. Allowing children to tap into that creative energy helps them learn to think outside the box and solve complex problems.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: As you get older, life gets harder, but it gets better, too. My dance instructor in high school told me this and it’s something that has really gotten me through some of my toughest times. After 13 years in the industry, a husband and two children, I’m coming to understand the ways in which life gets harder and better at the same time.
• Your theme song: Happy, by Pharrell Williams. Happiness is a choice, every day.

4. Tim Carson

Company: Crossland Construction Company, Inc.
Job Title: Senior Superintendent
Location: Kansas City, MO

As an industry veteran, Tim Carson has been instrumental in deploying construction technology on one of the largest mixed-use projects in Kansas City–Mission Trails.  Tim and his team adopted the technology solution for quick document distribution in the field. Beyond improving subcontractor coordination, he is also able to streamline inspections, and RFI’s as well as organize critical information quickly to ensure a cohesive construction product is delivered to the client.  

“Tim has embraced technology on his jobsites to ensure field operations run as efficiently and productively as possible. He and his team relay on the collaborative abilities that modern construction technology bring to various phases of the project."

5. John Caruso

Company: J&J Acoustics
Job Title: Jobsite Superintendent
Location: Santa Clara, CA

John Caruso has been working at J&J Acoustics, a Bay Area metal, framing and drywall contractor for over the last 15 years. Throughout his career, John has been involved in the planning and construction of a wide array of projects including hospitals, schools, theaters, skyscrapers and hotels. As an expert in construction technology, he has implemented mobile software extensively on projects. Today, he is in charge of a 50-story high-rise, utilizing technology for quality and document control to keep his team on track.

Interview:

• The best project you ever worked on: There is an old saying in construction, “the best project is the last one we came from and the one we're headed to next.” This saying embodies the reality that our career is both mentally and physically strenuous. As much as I enjoy this saying for its comedic purposes, this quite simply is a bad way to view our career and our lifestyle. We must plan for the future but live in the now, the immediate now. I am thankful for the projects I’ve worked but more for the lessons learned and the relationships built along the way. Through these lines of thought I am able to put my best foot forward and make the current task at hand an enjoyable experience for our team as well as profitable outcome for our company.
• What's one construction issue you think is misrepresented?: What I have found throughout my career is there is a great misconception about the stereotypical construction worker. The men and women I work with are of high intelligence and work ethic. I could not be more proud than to be one of many wonderful people who are employed by J&J Acoustics, Inc. We come from different backgrounds, different nationalities and different traditions but we share one purpose and that is the American dream. To make our lives and the people in our lives better one day at a time, one step at a time and one stud at a time. We build this country for our future and the future of the generations who follow.
• The best piece of advice you ever received?: Construction is a team game. The opposite is true when mistakes are made. We must bear the brunt of this and hold ourselves responsible, taking the blame away from our construction teams for psychological reasons. Your construction team is the only way out of the mistake and they must know that you are willing to do this. Teaching has become my greatest joy in the industry and my greatest tool. By putting our team in positions where they are challenged into a point of learning and balancing them on a thin edge between comfort and failure leads to a team of decision-makers and people who see that they are part of a bigger picture

6. Chase Corcorran

Company: Webcor
Job Title: Superintendent, LEED AP
Location: San Francisco, CA

As a Bay Area native, Chase has worked on several iconic California projects over his 15-year career in the industry. As a superintendent, he uses a balance of candid communication and technology to distribute real-time information to build relationships with his team and partners. Beyond his daily job duties, Chase works with up-and-coming engineers in his organization to teach them how to fully integrate technology advancements on the jobsite with relationships, teamwork and trust.

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: I’m very proud to have been a part of the Cal Memorial Football Stadium. I grew up going to Cal games. A lot of my extended family members and friends also went there. Twenty-five years after first stepping into that football stadium, I had the chance to gut it, rebuild it and turn it into a state of the art facility. I even got to take my grandfather, who played and coached football, to the opening day game.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: The World’s Fair Columbian Exposition in Chicago– it opened in 1893.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of: Finishing San Francisco General Hospital on schedule. The stakes of that project were incredibly high and all systems needed to be designed, installed, tested and commissioned to near flawless standards. Being involved on a team that needs to operate at that level of effort and understanding is extremely satisfying.
• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: That I was a springboard diver in college.
• What's one construction trend you think is overhyped?: Lean construction, but hear me out. It’s not because of its theory, principles or practice; I’m just not convinced it’s revolutionary. In my experience, timely planning and finding ways to improve and reduce waste are core ideologies within most great companies and industries.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: Do the tasks you dislike with the same tenacity and attention to detail as the ones that you love.
• Your theme song: Live in the Moment – Portugal the Man
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: After buying a house and taking my wife to the Maldives, I’d get back to work.

7. Paul Cornale

Company: KSW Mechanical LLC
Job Title: Hudson Yards Mechanical Superintendent
Location: New York, NY

Paul Cornale is a skilled veteran in the commercial and industrial construction industry. He has a strong educational background in mechanical and electrical, including an Associate of Science from SUNY Delhi College of Technology in addition to certification from Putnam-Westchester BOCES. With over 20 years of experience working in HVAC services, he has been providing his expertise to large, landmark projects in New York City, including 1 World Trade Center and currently, 30 Hudson Yards and 50 Hudson Yards with KSW Mechanical. When it comes to technology, Paul has been a leader for his project team. To keep his crew on track with the right information, he uses mobile construction management software and 3D modeling to their full advantage. 

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some awesome projects. But hands down, my favorite project I ever worked on was the West Quad building. A new facility for Brooklyn College. It wasn’t because of something cool we built or a particular team—although it was a great project. The reason: it’s where I met my wife—she worked for the school.
• Construction technology you cannot live without: Honestly, it would be PlanGrid. It makes everything a lot easier–all I need is at my fingertips and everyone can see what I’m looking at in the field. It also beats carrying rolls and rolls of drawings around.
• What’s something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: How long I’ve been in the construction industry. I’m 36 years old, but I’m in my 20th year in construction. I first started helping out at my family’s air conditioning business, and have worked my way up to where I am today.
• What’s one construction trend that you think is overhyped?: 3D printing–while it sounds nice in theory, I can’t see how it’s being implemented on a large scale at this point.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: “Grab the bull by the horns.” Basically, it’s your moment and you need to take it.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: Relax and spend time with my family.

8. Josh Currie

Company: OEG
Job Title: General Superintendent
Location: Portland, OR

Josh Currie has been with OEG since 1997 as a general superintendent, superintendent, general foreman, foreman and electrician. He brings with him extensive experience in industrial, commercial, high tech, mission-critical, and healthcare work. Throughout the years, Josh has embraced technology on the jobsite. Recently, he played a key role in facilitating the rollout and standardization of field technology on one of the company’s largest and most complicated projects.

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: I was a part of a project in Portland, OR called the Center for Health and Healing South.  This project is for Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and is partially funded by the Phil & Penny Knight Foundation for the race to cure cancer.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: Both of my grandfathers worked on massive infrastructure construction projects in the 1940s. On my Dad’s side, my grandfather was a plumber and moved to Vancouver, WA to work in the shipyards building massive maritime vessels for the WWII efforts. On my Mom’s side, my grandfather was a rebar detailer and worked on massive dam projects in Washington like the Grand Collee Dam, Wanapum Dam and Rocky Reach Dam.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of: My wife and children are my greatest accomplishments. My kids are part of the reason why I take on more responsibilities at work. I want to make sure they have all the opportunities to be successful when they become adults.
• If you didn't work in construction, what do you think you'd be doing?: Sometimes I think about getting out of the city and having some kind of agricultural business that is a part of forest management.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: A field leader who I admire once told me early in my career, “Don’t look at the top of the mountain.”  If you keep looking at the top of the mountain, you’ll keep saying to yourself, how will I ever get there. Focus on the next steps and make good plans along the way.Before you know it you will reach the top and look back down at your journey. Even though the journey was long and difficult you’ll be proud of what you’ve accomplished and say to yourself, that wasn’t so bad.

9. Alan Dillon

Company: DPR Construction
Job Title: General Senior Superintendent
Location: San Jose, CA

Alan is an industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience in the field. His open mindset and willingness to change the way things have been done has been critical to the success of his company and projects. Over the years, he has embraced mobile technology on the jobsite and was among one of the first users of field collaboration software, PlanGrid.  

“Alan is one of the most well-respected Superintendents in the Bay Area.”

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: Kaiser Vacaville Medical Center. It was just a great team and a great client.
• Construction technology you cannot live without: BIM modeling.
• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: That I became a carpenter right after high school.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: I would just keep doing the things that I’m doing but would probably spend more time donating to charity.

10. Kaitlin Frank

Company: Dome Construction
Job Title: Superintendent
Location: San Francisco, CA

Kaitlin adopts a progressive, forward-thinking approach to her role as superintendent at Dome Construction. Her dedication to education and on-site experience has allowed her to lead high performing teams to complete notable Bay Area projects including multiple projects in SF Embarcadero Center. As a champion for field technology, she was also part of the team at Dome that designed and created eMod, a safety app for construction. 

“Kaitlin is leading the way for men and women in construction by example.”

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: I have primarily focused on building out high-end commercial tenant improvement projects. Each project has been so different but one of my favorite was definitely building out Pell Lobby at 600 California Street. The project was a complete renovation of the lobby and elevator retrofit in an occupied building. This was a phased project in order to keep the building open which required quite a bit of logistic planning and coordination.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: Construction at times has the stereotype of being old school and set in their ways. I very quickly learned where we were wasting time digging through binders, slip sheeting drawings and finding out when it was too late that one of the trades was working off the outdated set of drawings or spilled their coffee all over the submittals. I have always been very interested in field innovation and technology and PlanGrid has been my go-to for plans and document control platform for my entire career. I’ve run every job off of it.It seems like all aspects of construction have finally become paperless, expect for safety. We still have the bulky sign-in sheets, daily PTPs, SDS binders and orientation forms all over the place. About three years ago a group of us at Dome Construction decided that we wanted to create a tool that was built for the field and by the field to streamline our internal safety procedures. We are launching this tool internally this year and are looking forward to another tool our team can’t live without.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of: I would describe myself as equally balanced of determined and stubborn with the mentality of telling me I can’t and I will prove you wrong. I was diagnosed with dyslexia at a very young age and always struggled in school. In high school I was told by a school counselor that college not for everyone and I should reconsider what I do with my life after high school. Needless to say, this did not sit well with me and I was determined to prove her wrong. I graduated high school, went on to receive my undergraduate degree, B.S. in architecture, and then proceeded to go directly into the field while pursuing my Masters of Science in Construction Management at night.  I’ve used this same mentality throughout my career after being told many times that females don’t belong in the field.

Growing up I never realized that being a female in the field would be an anomaly. Over the years, I was told that females don’t belong in the field and I should reconsider the project management route. My father always told me to put my “big girl pants on” and to not let the fear of failure hold me back from what I wanted. I questioned myself many times if I belonged in the field and if I could really succeed as a superintendent.  But every day I walked onto the jobsite and knew as soon as I got there, I was where I belonged. Pushing myself to leave my comfort zone and break down barriers, I feel like I have changed the way many think about females in the industry. Recently, I have spoken at a handful of conferences. At the end of the events, I have had numerous young females come up to and tell me how inspiring my story has been and how they have an interest in the field but didn’t know where to start or that being a female superintendent was even an option for them. I hope that my stories and lessons learned inspire other females to pursue their aspirations no matter what they are.

• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: I started in the field at  20 years old. I chose to put my personal life on hold to pursue my education and career. When I told people I was going to be one of the first female superintendents, I’m not sure many believed I could do it. In my first year, I was constantly questioned about what I was doing on a jobsite. “Are you here with your dad? Are you the architect? Are you measuring for curtains?”

I’ve never fit the stereotypical superintendent position. I was always too young, too polite, too petite and a female. I’ve been lucky enough to have opportunities, bosses, coworkers, clients, friends and family who saw a future in me. Fast forward to today, I’ve run some amazing, challenging, fast-paced, designed and redesigned projects for the past 10 years. I have to give a shout out for the ones who saw the future in me, never let me give up, stood by my side, bailed me out when I was in over my head, worked long hours and gave up some of their own personal time to help me get where I am today.

• If you didn't work in construction, what do you think you'd be doing?:Honestly, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. Construction, to me, is common sense and one big puzzle. I’ve loved construction since I was a child and have always been interested in how things go together.

11. Willie Ghilotti

Company: Ghilotti Construction Company
Title: Co-Owner/Area Superintendent
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

At an early age of 12, Willie Ghilotti started working every summer for the company. He was raised in the field and he brings nearly 30 years of experience to the Ghilotti Construction Company, responsible for an annual revenue of over $265 million. To keep his crews as efficient as possible, Willie deploys construction technology solutions between the field and the office, ensuring all documentation is up to date. He takes it upon himself to constantly improve every department and develop new operating procedures and standardizations across the board.

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on:  That’s a tough question to answer because they all are my favorite! If I had to choose I would have to say it was the Sonoma County Tubbs Fire Cleanup in 2017-2018. Ghilotti Construction assisted the first responders, the National Guard, with housing 400 troops at our office warehouse and all of their vehicles. The next phase was the Cleanup process, managing 22 fire debris removal crews. This consisted of 100+ personnel and a fleet of over 50+ machines and 100+ trucks. We worked for 6 months consistently 12-15+ hour days to manage the clearing of over 1000+ house lots, including 21,000 truck loads of debris removal and an overall total of 400,000 tons of material.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: I would have to say working on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or the Great Pyramids in Egypt.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: Hands down we cannot live without using Plangrid or Trimble GCS 900 3D GPS for construction.
• The accomplishment you are most proud of: I’m most proud of receiving “The California Commendation Medal” from The Military Department, State of California. This was for supporting the 579th Joint Task Force assigned to the Sonoma County area of operations.  For Establishing Forward Operating Base Ghilotti, the only civilian established operational base in local history. FOB Ghilotti was responsible for sustaining 400 soldiers conducting all manner of support missions for numerous State and County agencies. The mission was essential for the effective management of numerous evacuation shelters, traffic control points, and the command and control of reintegration efforts for the communities devastated by the fires. The actions reflect great credit upon Ghilotti Construction Company, the 579th Joint Task Force, the 49th Military Police Brigade, and the California Military Department. Also physically receiving Military challenge coins in person from Major General Baldwin (The Adjutant General), Lieutenant Colonel Angle (579th Engineer Battalion Commander), Lieutenant Colonel Sharyer (49th Military Police Brigade Deputy Commander), and Colonel Ray from the USACE (United States Army Corps of Engineers).
• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: That I am one of the owners, I usually don’t tell people my last name unless needed. I blend in pretty well with the crews and fellow co-workers working alongside each other, having no problem jumping in the trenches or running a piece of equipment through all the elements. Also on my business card I always handwrite “whatever it takes” as my title when asked if I have a card. I find that being humble works well.
• If you didn't work in construction, what do you think you'd be doing?: I would have pursued being a professional motocross racer, race car driver or musician/DJ.
• Your theme song: "It Keeps You Runnin’” by the Doobie Brothers.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: I would keep working, but maybe take a few more vacations in between the work season.  Donate to people less fortunate, invest in technology or real estate, pay my debt off along with other family members and also pay off equipment loans or financial debt that the company might have.  I’d also buy more equipment so we do not have to rent any equipment in the future so everything stays in-house.

12. Paul Gigliotti

Company: Cupertino Electric Inc. (CEI)
Title: General Superintendent
Location: San Jose, CA

Paul Gigliotti is a General Superintendent who has worked at Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI), one of the nation’s largest electrical contractors, for more than 23 years. Paul is currently responsible for the field organization building some of the largest commercial projects in Silicon Valley and has earned recognition from his peers for being a smart, inspiring leader. He is an early adopter and long-time advocate of field technology, utilizing it effectively to meet the complex demands of Bay Area projects like Levi’s Stadium.

13. Keo Hamamoto

Company: BEK, Inc.
Title: Superintendent
Location: Honolulu, HI

As a superintendent at BEK, Inc., Keo has embraced the benefits of technology in the construction industry. On projects, he utilizes all of the fundamental technology tools available and shares his knowledge and experience with his team to create strong core values. Using field software, Keo effectively communicates all the technical aspects of a project in a concise and efficient platform to the crew members performing the work. His technology format also allows his project team to track changes and stay on schedule.

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: The Walgreens Ala Moana, flagship store. It’s a new two-story 20,000 square foot store and has won multiple architectural awards.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: I would have loved to have worked on a famous Japanese temple.
• The construction technology you can’t live without: Lasers
• If you didn't work in construction, what do you think you'd be doing?: Most likely law enforcement.

14. Stacey Harris

Company: Consigli Construction
Job Title: Project Superintendent
Location: Portland, ME

Stacey Harris is a seasoned Superintendent who has been part of the team at Consigli Construction in Maine for the past three years. As a self-starter, she applies a technological mindset in innovative ways to systematically improve project efficiency. In her prior role at Turner Construction, she took the initiative to build her own database to automate daily construction reports. As a result, she won Turner Construction’s Innovation Award. Additionally, Stacey is an active advocate and mentor inspiring women to pursue education and careers in STEM.

Interview:

• Favorite project you’ve ever worked on: It’s hard to choose as they are all unique and challenging in their own way.  One that sticks out in my mind is the new pharmaceutical manufacturing plant for Immucell in Portland, ME. It was a 16,000 sq ft, ground-up construction that provided a drug that helped farmers treat livestock that had developed mastitis. This condition leads to a $2B market loss for farmers and this drug drastically reduces that loss. It felt great to feel that I could help make an impact in the industry. We also had the opportunity to bring innovation and lean practices to Maine that had not been seen before in that market.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: Hands down it would be the Burj Khalifa. Who doesn’t want to build the tallest building in the world? This was also being constructed while I was starting to discover my love of engineering and construction, so I followed the construction of it closely. It's still on my bucket list to visit someday.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: Electronic plans and specs. At the start of my career, it was my job to print every RFI and drawing and go through the plans and tape, highlight and color all of the changes that came through on the project, to supersede all of the old plans. It was time-consuming and my first project had over 500 RFI’s. Now with one email, and a single click of a button, everyone has the latest set of plans.
• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: That I love to hunt and fish. I grew up in the woods, hunting and fishing with my Dad. I was lucky enough to get picked for a Maine moose permit in the lottery the same year I married my husband. We were able to serve moose at our wedding. It was a very unique experience that, I'll never forget.
• If you didn't work in construction, what do you think you'd be doing?: I’d be a Disney princess at Disney World or attempt to be a singer on Broadway, or at least that is what I told my family growing up as a child. Joking aside, I’ve always had a love for building, I grew up playing with Legos so I’ve always the urge to construct, I’m not sure I’d do anything else.
• What's one construction trend or issue that you think is overhyped?: I am a big advocate for innovation, but I worry that all technology is not always the answer to the problems we face in the industry. Some technology can add more work and cause people to not double-check the output and become complacent. When selecting technology to work with on the job I always ask; Does this make my day to day easier? Does this add value? Will it make me a better builder? Can I make faster and better decisions with this technology?
• Your theme song: Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé. Construction is currently experiencing huge labor shortages. A great way to bridge that gap is to get more women onto jobsites. This song reminds how incredible women are and continue to be and would love to see more women running jobsites.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: I’d go on a vacation to visit the Burj Khalifa, buy a hunting camp on a lake in Maine and my husband and I would have a second home in Florida so I could do part-time work as a Disney princess.

15. Andy Hernandez

Company: R&H Construction
Job Title: Project Superintendent
Location: Portland, OR

Andy Hernandez has been working for the Pacific Northwest general contractor, R&H Construction, for over the last 18 years. In recent years, Andy has turned to innovative solutions in the field to empower his team. He has been a vital player in getting his company to standardize their technology use to drive productivity. On a recent project, One North: Karuna East & West Buildings, Andy deployed both modeling and construction document management software to achieve a high level of collaboration and efficiency to meet project goals. 

“Andy recently completed One North: Karuna East & West Buildings which was a very complex project. Construction technology was critical for the success of this project.”

16. Victoria Julian

Company: DPR Construction
Job Title: Senior Superintendent
Location: Redwood City, CA

Vic joined DPR in 2000 as a walk-on carpentry apprentice. She later grew her way through the ranks as a foreman to an assistant superintendent, Super and now Senior Superintendent. In 2006 she became DPR’s first female superintendent. Today, she works in the Bay Area managing ground-up construction and large corporate campuses. To manage these complex and highly technical projects, Vic uses construction technology including mobile technology and even drone data as tools for her team to reduce errors.

Interview:

• The best piece of advice you ever received: In my first performance review as a foreman, my superintendent told me, “Stop calling yourself a carpenter; you are a builder."
• Accomplishment you're most proud of:  Being a Mentor. I take great pride working with my team to not only project success but team success. Having a hand in promotions. Building great people. Bringing up Foreman to Supers and PEs to PMs, there is nothing better.

17. Robert Kipp

Company: Satterfield & Pontikes
Job Title: Director of Field Operations / General Superintendent
Location: New York, NY

Kipp has been the General Superintendent on several of the largest projects in the U.S., which led to him to his current role as Director of Field Operations at the Delta/LGA project a $3.8 Billion redevelopment of the Delta facilities at LaGuardia Airport all while not impacting the current operations. He has a Masters from Columbia, was a Captain in the United States Army and has been an advocate of innovative construction technology to improve productivity in the field.

Interview:

• Favorite project you have ever worked on: It would probably be the first project that I ever worked on when I coming out of the Army. It was the Liberty Center in Arlington, Virginia. I had the most to learn at this point, and, while I didn’t realize it at the time, it was the start of a long path that would be very important for me.
• The construction technology you could not live without: For me, it would have to be the hardware. Right now, I really like my iPad Mini. It fits in my vest and does everything that I need it to do.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of: I don't care about what I've accomplished. I look more towards the future–what's the next thing that I need to do? However, I am proud of the people that I’ve been able to train and influence over my career. Many of them have been able to go off and do incredible things themselves.
• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: I collect and read antique construction books.
• If you weren’t in construction, what would you be doing?: Not sure I’d be doing this still but my favorite job that I ever had was selling Christmas trees in a lot. It’s the time of year when everyone is happy and in a good mood. I knew all about the different types of trees–Douglas Fir, Frasier Fir, Balsam Wood. I could tell them what type of tree was best for what type of ornament and how to take care of them. The tips were great.

18. Francisco Manrique

Company: W.E. O’Neil Construction
Job Title: Project Superintendent
Location: San Diego, CA

As a superintendent, Francisco has always encouraged the use of technology as a tool to increase efficiency and productivity across all levels and stages of construction. Recently, as the Chair of the Quality Control Department at W.E. O’Neil’s California offices, he has been utilizing technology to keep all QA/QC processes centralized in one platform so the field benefits in their routine inspections. As a result, Francisco has been able to create a complete and high-functioning quality control platform with cloud-based software.

Interview:

• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?:Definitely the Empire State Building, 102 stories built in one year with the technology from that time is something to admire.
• The construction technology you cannot live without:My smartphone! It still amazes me that 25-30 years ago you needed to call a place (office, house, etc.) and hope that the person you were trying to reach was there. Plus, with all the different applications available you can do most of the Superintendent tasks from your smartphone which allows you to be in the field solving problems.
• If you weren’t in construction, what would you be doing?:I have always been fascinated with the ocean. Something that deals with marine life.
• The best piece of advice you ever received:Do it right or not at all. (Honorable mention: Buy a plunger before needing a plunger)
• Your theme song:Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun
• You just won the lottery. Now what?:Donate some, invest plenty and travel the world with my family.

19. Sean O'Connor

Company: Environmental Contracting Corporation (ECC)
Job Title: Superintendent
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Sean O’Connor is a seasoned construction superintendent in the Los Angeles area. On a recent high profile remodel project, Sean championed the use of punch list software to improve his team’s efficiency. Despite initial pushback, Sean made a strong case for the technology and was able to implement the software successfully. 

“Sean is a fantastic construction technology champion with a strong technical aptitude.”

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: TI for Colliers International West Headquarters in DTLA.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: Building one of the legacy houses for Greene and Greene in my hometown of Pasadena, CA. The craftsmanship and attention to detail (especially given the time period in which these structures were built) still fascinates me.
• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: That my background is in Accounting and Finance.
• The best piece of advice you ever received:  The smartest thing in the room is probably one of the walls, so be patient and a good listener.
• Your theme song: Life’s Been Good, Joe Walsh

20. Kevin O'Keefe

Company: McCarthy Building Companies
Job Title: Project Superintendent
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

With near 13 years of industry experience, Kevin O’Keefe joined McCarthy Building Companies in 2006. Today, he is responsible for overall coordination, supervision and inspection of all field installations, maintaining a tech-forward mindset to improve his team’s overall efficiency. He was the Project Superintendent for the recently completed Erlanger Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His commitment to building a strong foundation of trust across his team was essential to the collaboration and success of the project. 

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: My favorite project to-date is the Erlanger Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Chattanooga, Tenn. The project consisted of a new three-story, 90,000 square-foot center which now serves as the hospital’s new entrance and includes 72 rooms for services such as pediatric imaging, lab services, pharmacy and pediatric specialty clinics. The building had very interesting design features that challenged the status quo, e.g. new floor plate layouts versus a traditional medical office building layout. The design included exam rooms, on-stage/off-stage areas, as well as discovery areas designed to engage and teach. These innovative elements made the construction process more challenging. The project team grew close and everyone worked well together from the beginning including the end users/owner, architect, designers and our trade partners. This collaboration allowed for the free flow of ideas and information, which directly contributed to the project’s success. The owner was able to create excitement in the community that surrounded the project throughout its duration. Erlanger CHOC was a unique experience that I will never forget and is the only healthcare project I have been a part of where the children leave asking their parents when they can come back.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: As much as I hate to say it, the smartphone. It has everything - my contacts, project drawings, RFI’s, daily reports, submittals, emails, etc. Without it, I would be lost. The convenience of one small device with you all the time with access to everything you need for any given project is immeasurable.
• Accomplishment you’re most proud of: Being a Dad. Sometimes I think I’m not the world’s best dad, the most fun or the most patient, but being a father gives me the most joy. My wife and I have been blessed with a wonderful daughter who has really been pretty good to us, so far. Luckily, she has been sleeping through the night since she was eight weeks old, started walking at 10 months and now is pretty much potty trained at age two! I can’t take all the credit for this, but I’d like to think my wife and I are pretty much crushing it.
• What’s one construction trend that you think is overhyped?: Right now, I think augmented reality is a little overhyped for on the jobsite. Personally, I just don’t see the benefits of it on the jobsite today. It will eventually get there, but there are too many limitations and safety concerns for the implementation compared to the end benefit right now. I imagine it more for a facilities person once the project is turned over but not as much for someone in my position during construction. Where we are with the use of tablets and building information modeling, we are just as productive as with augmented reality. But who knows what is to come in the next 10 years?
• The best piece of advice you ever received: Be persistent and follow-up. It seems a simple concept, but I apply this basic strategy to most of what I do. To get tasks done on any job, persistence and follow-up are key. Life would be easy if everything happened the first time you ask for it to be done. The key is to get out in front of it and start asking ahead of time, then you have it when really need it. However, this also works outside of work with hobbies or even life. It goes along with “if at first, you don’t succeed try, try again.”

21. Charley Parent

Company: Lockheed Corp.
Job Title: Field Superintendent
Location: Pascoag, RI

Charley spearheads the use of technology in the field for his company. He uses field collaboration software on his iPad every single day, for every single project. In doing so, he has been able to ensure his crews are working with the most up-to-date information and drawings and shares timely jobsite information with the office.

“Most recently Charley has taken measurements of a building in progress, and relayed those measurements to our panel team in real-time, through the use of PlanGrid. This made it possible for our in-house panel team to draw and fabricate panels as soon as Charley measured them. We were able to ship these panels out the very next day, and install them immediately.”

 

22. Dennis Parker

Company: Hoar Construction
Job Title: Assistant Superintendent
Location: Birmingham, AL

Dennis Parker joined Hoar Construction in 2008. Since then, he has remained a forward-thinking builder always pushing the company to try new building methods and strategies, including implementing new innovation. The construction superintendent has consistently advocated to stay at the forefront of technological change, maximizing everything from iPads and BIM to 3D cameras and schedule planning apps.

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: Mercato in Naples, Florida. Right before the market fell out in 2008, I was a co-op on Mercato, a huge mixed-use project. The development featured everything from a grocery store to a movie theater, and from an office building to mixed-use condos. It was great being on a project of that size because I got to see so many different types and styles of buildings in different phases of construction; not to mention, working with so many different superintendents and learning a little something for each one was great.
• The construction technology can you not live without: Smart tablets and smartphones. I don’t know how anything was built before they existed with the amount of coordination and details that must be shared and adhered to daily.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of:Getting a college degree — there was a time in my life when personal successes, or any accomplishments, were more fleeting dreams than obtainable goals.
• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: My name. I am of European and Chamorro descent, and look Hispanic. When I introduce myself, “Hello, I am Dennis Parker,” the name doesn’t match the face and I notice a slight pause in their voice when they return the gesture. Amusingly, I get this reaction more from people of Hispanic descent. I get a kick out of it every time and in certain situations, it leads to great conversations that help me to break the ice and connect with the people I meet.
• What's one construction trend that you think is overhyped?: The delivery method of Design-Bid-Build. I don’t think that it is ever going away due to the nature of someone having a need, hiring someone to help put that need on paper, and then hiring someone to bring that need to life. However, the line between boots in mud and red pens to drawings is starting to disappear. The rising superintendent crop is not your grassroots, rise from laborer to project superintendent. They are college-educated men and women with the ability to move from the construction front line to the boardrooms of owners to help facilitate every aspect of their vision. Technology demands a superintendent that can marry the office with the field. When you have technology like immediately editable pictures, drawing screenshots, FaceTime, fully integrated software that streamlines project information and feedback from all parties involved, you don’t have to have a mediator between need and product. Technology has always been birthed out of necessity, and eventually, the technology improves or replaces the reason it was created. Sharing and coordinating specific information has never been easier, which will eventually lead to a more focused delivery method being the new trend.
• The best piece of advice you've ever received: Construction is not a 9-to-5 job, it is typically 24/7. Even if a superintendent isn’t physically on the job site, our phone never leaves our side. We have to answer when it rings because that is the nature of a project — anything can happen and most of the time it does. An older fella I worked for some years back said he saw a lot of his younger self in me. One day after a long 10-hour day, he saw that I was settling into my desk to knock out a couple of hours of paperwork. He said to me, “Young man, go home. This is how you make a living, this is not your life. Your life starts when you get home.” Never will forget it, and this coming from a man that had a recent heart attack just a few years ago really helped it sink in.
• Your theme song: “You can’t stop me,” by Andy Mineo
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: Pay off my wife’s and my student debts! I might be too practical to make this one good. Pay off all our debts and set up my kids’ futures. Then, pay off my family’s debts and close friends’ debts. No one has time to make any lasting memories and moments with friends and family because our time and efforts are demanded elsewhere. Then I’d set up a business that if anyone can come to me with a good idea (business, widget, anything, everything) I will give that person enough money to open the first door. Then if there is anything left over, maybe a really, really, nice bass boat for me.

23. Chad Restovich

Company: Seawood Builders
Job Title: Senior Superintendent
Location: Deerfield Beach, FL

Working as a Senior Superintendent for Seawood Builders, Chad primarily specializes in hospitality and multi-family work in the Miami metro area. To meet tight schedules and budgets on projects, Chad embraces and implements construction technology as time and cost-saving techniques. He works diligently to successfully adapt and evolve software solutions to his organization's needs.

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: 300 Collins Ave in Miami Beach, FL. It’s a unique condo designed by modern-designer Thomas Juul-Hansen out of New York City.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: AT&T Stadium in Dallas– the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Living in Dallas at the time, I saw this one go up.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: My email and iPad.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of: My 4,200 sqft model home in Dallas. I built it back in 2012 in 37 days from start to move in.
• If you didn't work in construction, what do you think you'd be doing?: A chef–I’ve always loved to cook.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: No one wants to hear you complain.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: Retire early in Key West and run a taco truck with my wife.

24. Ramon Roman

Company: Moss
Job Title: Superintendent
Location: Miami, FL

Ramon Roman has been working as a Superintendent for Moss for over 16 years. Throughout his career, he has consistently bridged the gap between the "old school culture" and the new tech-driven one. His approach and well-earned respect in his company have helped him to successfully lead teams on notable Florida projects like the Icon Los Olas, the tallest building in Ft. Lauderdale. 

“He is one of the coolest, smartest, tech-friendly Superintendents there is. Whenever he is on a job, everyone can rest assured it will be a successful one.”

Interview:

• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?:T he Burj Khalifa in Dubai. I had the chance to visit the city and thought it was a really cool project. I would have loved to have been part of it.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: You have to first step back and look at the big picture– you’ll have a clearer idea on how to move forward after that.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: I would look to invest my money as wisely as possible.

25. Kyle Smith

Company: W.E. O’Neil
Job Title: Assistant Superintendent
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA

Since making the transition from a union carpenter to a superintendent for a general contractor two years ago, Kyle has leaped headfirst into learning every facet of the industry and bettering his team along the way. Not only has Kyle led speeches about the use of tech in construction to the W.E. O'Neil Superintendent Council, but he has also spearheaded multiple new uses of field technology among his projects. Greatest of all, Kyle and his peers launched a new method of digital punch lists for a project with 400 unit layouts. He is constantly on the lookout for new technology to make the jobs of his teammates more productive and effective. 

“Kyle goes out of his way to implement better technology to benefit the company and all workers.”

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: A.R.T.I.C. – in Anaheim, California. It’s a very unique building that was spotlighted on the cover of ENR back in November 2014. It’s a building that when I say I helped build, everyone from the area knows it.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: PlanGrid of course! But really, I think it’s the next best thing to happen to construction since cell phones.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of: My family which includes my wife, daughter and soon-to-be son! I also can’t forget my dog Yosie.
• What's something about you that surprises most people when they first learn it?: I’ve sailed a boat from Hawaii to Canada, then hitchhiked up to Alaska. It was a pretty cool adventure.

I also rock climb. We spend most of our vacations climbing and hiking in Yosemite and Joshua Tree.

• If you didn't work in construction, what do you think you'd be doing?: I don’t really see myself doing anything else; I love to build. Most likely something that’s related, like a teacher in some sort of trade school.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: Always be worth more than you’re getting paid.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: Family road trip–a really long one. All 50 states, all the National Parks and many stops in between!

26. Jon Stranberg

Company:VECA Electric & Technologies
Job Title: Project Superintendent – Washington State Convention Center Addition
Location: Seattle, WA

Jon has been working in the construction industry for over 25 years, with five of those years at VECA Electric & Technologies in Washington state. He has been a quiet, but influential, supporter of construction technology on his projects, pushing for his company’s adoption of field productivity software. Today, with his strong team and strategic use of technology, he is successfully managing the high-profile Washington State Convention Center project.

Interview:

• Favorite project you have worked on:  My last project, the Tahoma High School and Regional Learning Center. Skanska was the general contractor and their senior superintendent had a great plan and executed it well. It was the largest high school in the state when it was constructed and we were able to complete it in 18 months.  Having completed several high school projects in the past, it seemed like an unrealistic goal at first, but it went really well and out of all the projects that I've completed, it was definitely the smoothest one.
• If you could have worked on any construction project throughout history, what would it be?: I would have loved to have worked on a big stadium project. Something like a CenturyLink field or T-Mobile Park that are city landmarks. The new convention center addition project that I’m working on now is partially fulfilling this dream.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: I can’t live without my iPad. I use it for all my meetings and planning, and carry it with me daily. On one small tablet, I can access all the information I need on apps like PlanGrid, BIM 360, Outlook, OneNote, and Xalt, an internal program we use for daily operations. When I started in the industry 25 years ago, you carried around big armfuls of prints and binders, which was very cumbersome and hard on the body. Today, we only need one a tablet to replace that, and get much more.

27. Jennifer Vides

Company: Turner Construction Company
Job Title: Project Superintendent
Location: Los Angeles, CA

From the start of her career in construction, Jennifer Vides has always been drawn to work in the field. Starting as an intern, she worked her way up to become a project superintendent at Turner Construction Company. While she employs a variety of tech tools and scheduling software on the job, her ability to build and foster real relationships with her field team has been vital to the success of her projects.

Interview:

• Favorite project you’ve worked on: The Anaheim Convention Center, even though it's been one of the most challenging projects I've been on. It was the most rewarding just because I was able to take on a lot and I had a great team to work with. The schedule was very aggressive and the design was complex, but at the end of the day, after finishing it, it was just so rewarding. I look back at it and I can't even believe we actually got that done in the timeframe. It was one of the projects where I've learned the most because I had to deal with so much in terms of the scope of work I was in charge of.
• Accomplishment you’re most proud of: I’m most proud of the fact I chose to become a superintendent as soon as I was an intern. I've been able to stick with this path and develop myself in the industry. Since I’ve had a presence in the field with all kinds of trades and on many types of projects, I’ve been able to establish a name for myself. For me, this is very rewarding and makes me look forward to coming to work every day.
• If you weren’t doing construction, what would you be doing?: I just don't see myself doing anything else, but if I had to choose, it would probably be something where I'm in the dirt still, like archeology.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: If you ever go into a project not being nervous, then maybe you shouldn’t be doing that work anymore. You should always have butterflies in your stomach when you're starting something because having that fear is actually your best friend. You're really going to make sure that you cross all your T's and dot all your I's.

28. Rusty Welch

Company: Corti Construction
Job Title: Superintendent
Location: Redmond, WA

With more than a decade of experience in the construction industry, Rusty Welch is an experienced carpenter and forward-thinking superintendent. In terms of technology, he has worked hard to bring field technology into his company. By showcasing the real ROI of new technology to C-level staff, Rusty has been able to successfully roll out field software for his team. Beyond his experience in construction, he is a military veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Infantry in Iraq.

Interview:

• Favorite project you’ve ever worked on: My favorite project is my first ever concrete job. It was a parking structure working with Journeyman and Foreman that helped to shape my career from the start.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: I would not want to do my job without digital plans and files. I love being able to pull up all of my information at the touch of a button anywhere.
• Accomplishment you're most proud of: I am most proud to have served my country in the United States Army Infantry.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: Don’t be afraid to speak out loud and say what most people would find obvious. That one time you don’t you will wish you did.
• Your theme song: I am always listening to different music. I love punk rock cover songs. So I would say New Found Glory – Power of Love.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: I honestly think that I would still do the same job. I honestly love what I do.

29. Adam Wojack

Company: Clune Construction
Job Title: Senior Vice President / Senior Team Leader / Senior Superintendent
Location: Chicago, IL

Adam Wojack has been working for the ENR Top 400 Company, Clune Construction, for more than 13 years. With the dual role of a Senior Vice President and Senior Superintendent, he is uniquely positioned to provide both executive leadership and field support. Just this year, Adam has helped Clune Construction standardize the company’s use of technology and processes on every jobsite.

“Coordination and communication with all project team members, from day one, is critical to the success of any project we build. Adopting straightforward technology that allows our team to implement solutions to project conflicts, in real time, is now commonplace in the field. Embracing technology and utilizing it correctly is one of the main building blocks which help our  teams to turnover successful projects that are run productively” - Adam Wojack

30. Jim Yechout

Company: Mortenson Construction
Job Title: Senior Superintendent I
Location:Minneapolis, MN

Jim Yechout is an experienced Senior Superintendent with nearly 15 years of experience in the construction industry. Specializing in the sports and entertainment sector, Jim has had the opportunity to work on several high profile projects across the Midwest. For a recent $110-million renovation of Northwestern University’s Welsh-Ryan Arena in Illinois, Jim led his team through a complex renovation that involved gutting the arena down to the primary structure and rebuilding. Through a combination of extensive preplanning, coordination and collaboration and use of technology like laser scanning, the ambitious 18-month project transformed an aging facility into a more intimate collegiate venue that brings fans closer to the action.

Interview:

• Favorite project you ever worked on: My favorite project was Pinnacle Bank Arena for the University of Nebraska. It was my introduction to the sports venue construction world which has had my full attention and interest ever since. It also provided me an opportunity to build something that spectacular in my home state.
• The construction technology you cannot live without: Our 4D model. This tool is used to minimize rework and reduce time spent by on-site labor who need to determine what fits where and who goes first. It is something I couldn’t live without.  and has allowed me, as a superintendent, to focus on more value-added work.
• The accomplishment you’re most proud of: Finding a career that I wake up each morning excited to be a part of and learn something new every day. It couldn’t come easier for me to be enthusiastic about our industry.
• What's one construction issue that you think is overhyped?: People think there’s a lack of interest from younger generations to join the construction industry.  As advancements in technology continue to challenge the way we build, we are going to need to restructure the type of person we hire. Buildings and structures will continue to advance in complexity and will require a variety of skillsets to overcome the challenges.
• The best piece of advice you ever received: Work hard for what you want to achieve in life. Will and drive can take you to places you never imagined possible. Suddenly doors start opening and opportunities present themselves when you stay hungry to succeed.
• You just won the lottery. Now what?: Build a house on an acreage in Montana where I could raise my family and fly fish rivers and streams every day.