What’s your favorite EDA value, and why?
Demonstrate Humility. It’s important to be humble in this industry. It took me a while to learn that. When you get on the front lines, you feel like you’re not doing a good job unless you personally have the answers. It’s hard to deal with. But when you work at a place that encourages getting help like EDA, it teaches you how to ask for help. It doesn’t have to be your idea. It’s more satisfying to share the knowledge I have and see that others have knowledge to share too. Everyone gets an ‘aha moment’ that way. It’s more meaningful for relationships.
What’s the toughest feedback someone has ever given you? How did you learn from it?
When I was an apprentice, a foreman told me, “Drohan, when you get home, you should cut your toilet seat in half because you’re working like a half-ass. If you don’t pick it up, you’re going to get laid off.”
This taught me that the carpentry industry is highly competitive and there’s no laying down. You’ve got to keep up the pace, keep performing, and performing well. It’s important to be hard-working, always learning, and have a good attitude.
What’s your favorite thing about working with your team/department?
The confidence I have knowing that I’m working with team-effort in mind. You can ask for help and it’s there. It gives you a sense of strength that no matter what pops up, the people on my team will have my back and we’ll be successful together.
Outside of work, do you have any favorite activities or hobbies?
Spending time with family, cooking, drinking beer, listening to music, and visiting the beach.
I also enjoy hunting and fishing with my sons, DJ and Shamis. We hunt for white tail deer and show off our archery skills. There are a lot of “atta boys” but it’s competitive too. Occasionally we hunt for pheasants as well. My goal is to eventually be able to hunt and not have to buy protein at a grocery store.
What’s one thing you never leave home without?
A prayer card that’s in my work truck. It’s a special prayer about family. I got it from Saint Gabe’s church.
What is something most people do not know about you?
I’m a regular churchgoer. I feel better after I leave, and it helps me realize how blessed I am. I don’t think people talk about their faith enough, but I know it’s been a great influence in my life.
What does a perfect vacation look like to you?
All-inclusive on a tropical island with my wife. No kids, though.
What did you do before your time at EDA?
I was a union carpenter working with a different company. Before that, I worked for a meat house driving a forklift.
If you were planning your favorite meal, what’s on the menu?
I like dessert. Sugar.
What’s your proudest accomplishment, either in your professional or personal life?
Personally, anything I’ve done and will do to make my children and grandchildren confident and secure. I want to set them up to be successful.
If you could work in any other trade or department here at EDA, where would you be?
I’d want to work with EDA’s Mechanic, Roy Furey. I’m always fixing something. I like the idea of helping people when they’re in need, solving their problems, and seeing how something I did had an impact on them. It’s a good feeling to help people out. Plus, Roy is cool.
What brought you to the construction industry?
It was always something I was interested in– building things, figuring out how things work. It has always intrigued me. Electricity was a bit concerning for me, so I didn’t have a push in that direction. Growing up in Southwest Philly, there were a lot of opportunities to put up a deck or help a neighbor put in a roof when there’s a leak. I loved the reaction after you got something done.
If you weren’t in the construction industry, where would you be today?
Maybe something in hospitality. When I was younger, I did a short stint as a short-order cook.