What brought you to the construction industry?
It started with a CAD drafting class in high school that I wasn’t very excited about, which (surprisingly) led to my degree in Architecture from Temple University. In high school and college, I worked as a concrete laborer/finisher during the summertime, and eventually as an Architecture Intern in Center City. Both positions were a great way to gain field experience at a young age and in a short amount of time. Though I enjoyed the design side, I’ve always had a passion for the built environment and being out on the jobsite, so the best career path I could find for my skillset was project management. After college I worked for a short amount of time as a general contractor, then transitioned into masonry about 11 years ago.
What was your reaction to seeing EDA’s emphasis on culture?
I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but from my first visit to EDA’s main office it was evident that culture is a top priority here. On top of that, the focus on personal growth & emotional intelligence really sets us apart from other contractors. It also greatly improves the relationship between the office and the field – a gap that is traditionally difficult to bridge.
How is EDA's culture compared to that of your previous workplaces?
EDA’s culture is second to none, honestly. There is always a new publication, a social media post, or an event that helps us get to know our coworkers on a level that isn’t encouraged elsewhere and is difficult to obtain through everyday office conversation.
What has been the best part about your experience working with EDA?
Though I have only been with EDA for a year, it is obvious that each one of my coworkers loves what they do and more importantly who they do it for – it really helps to reinforce the passion that I have for the work we do.
What is your favorite EDA value, and why?
Work Proud! I take a tremendous amount of pride in the work we do and having worked on many of the most prominent buildings in the Philadelphia & surrounding regions, it is great to see “Work Proud” as a one of EDA’s core values.