Q: Where did you grow up? Go to college? First job? Tell us a little about yourself.
I was the youngest of five children, born and raised in Richmond. I grew up in what we used to call the “west-end”, near Grove Ave and Hamilton St. I went to VMI and graduated as a Mechanical Engineer, and I worked first at an engineering firm here in Richmond known then as HCYU and Assoc., where my father worked as well.
Q: Please tell us about your journey to becoming president of Atlantic Constructors Inc.
I joined the firm 22 years ago as the VP of Preconstruction, as it was “restarting” itself from two predecessor companies and with new ownership. In 2009, I became President, reporting to our CEO and founder.
Q: How are you promoting leadership development in your organization?
In a highly “employee-competitive” construction market, we have put a concerted effort towards career path development and transparency. We have learned the hard way, if you do not specifically lay out a career path for an ambitious young teammate, they will not hesitate to seek that clarity elsewhere.
Q: Are you working on any new business ideas? AND/OR What’s ahead for your organization that is significant? New initiatives? Growth?
In April, we merged into TriplePoint MEP, a super-regional Midwest and Sunbelt corporation, ranked among the top 10 largest mechanical forms in the US. We are now part of a family of six mechanical firms dedicated to operational excellence, innovation, and strong employee engagement.
Q: What books, podcasts, or other media have had, or is having, an impact on you?
I have never considered myself to be a voracious “leisure reader”, but as consistent sleep evades me in recent years, I find myself knocking out a few chapters at 3 or 4 AM, which sometimes helps settle my brain and gets me back to sleep. Just finished Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens, and now working on When Crickets Cry, by Charles Martin. Also, I love The Flyover Podcast for a quick 15 minute news update while driving.
Q: When you are not leading your business, what do you like to do?
Kelly and I have been blessed with 5 wonderful children (who have, all of the sudden, grown up), and we are both part of large families, so it seems like much of our time revolves around family things. With an older home in the city, we are never short on projects, repairs, or just simple yard work. We built a “Covid gym” in our garage, so we try to utilize that regularly as well.
Q: Tell us how you are involved in the community.
I am a member of the Board, and past-Chair, of Conexus. Conexus works every day, in schools throughout Virginia, to remove poor vision as a barrier to success in the classroom. Also, I am the past-chair, and a member of the current Executive Leadership Team, of the AHA’s Richmond Heart Ball, as well as the Hard Hats with Heart campaigns
Q: How has your VACEOs Forum helped you be more successful as a leader?
The ability to hear a diversity of challenges and approaches from peers at the tops of their respective firms, is a powerful tool which has allowed me to grow as a person, both at work and at home. Exposure to new ideas, trends, and best practices has helped me stay informed and adaptable. Drawing on the shared wisdom and experiences of my Forum members, in a safe and confidential manner, has been a huge, positive impact.
Q: What are you looking forward to this summer?
Heading to our annual family “beach week” at the north end of Virginia Beach this month. We will gather with family, eat, drink, and try to unplug from the world a bit!
