I grew up in a small town in Georgia where you learned the value of support from others: If you worked hard and took pride in yourself and your surroundings, others would as well.
When I grew up, I wanted to be a BMX/motocross star.
The construction business can be very nomadic and for the first 20 years of my career I traveled all over the Southeast building projects. As my boys got older, we wanted to find a place to make a permanent home. It just so happened I was asked to move to Tampa to take on a larger role, and my wife and I decided this was where we wanted to settle. We loved the school that we found for our boys to attend, the pace was great and the culture and lifestyle that Tampa offered was very appealing to us.
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to travel around Tampa and throughout Florida and show my family the projects that I had a hand in building and that will help transform communities for decades to come.
The most challenging part of my job is the pace at which the construction industry is changing. Historically, the industry has been slower to adopt new trends, particularly in areas like technology and the human aspect.
The biggest honor of my life has been having the opportunity to make a difference by helping launch a couple of workforce programs and a degree program at Florida Gulf Coast University and University of South Florida (USF). Last August, Skanska partnered with USF’s Office of Supplier Diversity to introduce a new mentorship program that aims to assist small and diverse businesses in the Tampa Bay region. The Construction Management Building Blocks mentor-protégé prepares our trade partners with fundamental skills to operate successful companies and seek opportunities in Tampa’s growing construction industry.
My business philosophy is “Let people do what they do.” As a good leader, you must recognize the strengths in others and not try to change them. To be successful, I think you need to surround yourself with a team of people and acknowledge that each individual possesses different strengths and leverage those for the success of the business.
I would describe Skanska USA’s involvement in Tampa as transformative. If you take a step back and survey the waterfront and downtown skyline along with in and around the bay, Skanska has constructed, been involved with and continues to lead high-profile and complex projects that will benefit the region and shape the face and landscape of Tampa for generations to come.
When describing Tampa Bay’s real estate scene, I say it is ever changing, extremely strong and always improving.
As for Skanska USA’s future in Tampa, the city is experiencing a growth spurt like no other city in Florida today. Because of all the investment coming in and countless opportunities for business and economic growth, we plan on continuing to build and be a part of that growth long term. Our focus will remain on building the projects that not only change the landscape of Tampa but make it a better place to live and work. In other words, we want to continue to build for a better society.
When I travel, the one thing I always do is talk to the local community (especially in another country) and do my best to understand where they come from. When you do, you find that most of us are not that different and we are not as divided as people think, but really most of us value and strive for the same things.
The biggest item on my bucket list is skydiving.
My most surprising hobby or skill is that I have a very creative and artistic side. I love building Legos and I used to sing. My favorite song is a guilty pleasure to sing in the car: “Bye, Bye, Bye” by NSYNC.
My greatest luxury is indulging in a really good steak and glass of rye whiskey.
I believe my best quality is my sense of humor. I can laugh at almost anything, even myself if need be.
Most people would be surprised to know that I have met a ton of celebrities, like Jeff Foxworthy, Alan Jackson, Bill Goldberg, Cliff Williams from AC/DC, a few guys from Metallica and Jim Lovell.
My perfect day would be a day spent with my boys at an amusement park riding each and every rollercoaster.
