#Duckumentary - Joe Depaolo

What specific skills or experiences do you bring to the construction industry, and how do you see them contributing to the success of our projects?

I spent the first 34 years of my career in exterior panel installation. Over time, I went from just installing to running the jobs as a General Foreman. I stayed with the same company until I retired as a carpenter. Going forward in the role EDA has given me as Superintendent, I can mentor others to become skilled installers.

Can you share a bit about your background and what motivated you to pursue a career in construction?

That's a tough one. After high school, I started attending college, but it really wasn’t for me. During that time, I had a job in a cabinet shop doing millwork, and I started to really enjoy that type of work. After my first year of college, I decided not to go back and went full-time at the cabinet shop. Later, I got an opportunity to become a union carpenter. The first company that hired me was a panel company, and I stayed with them for my entire career until I retired.

How do you stay updated on the latest industry trends, technologies, and safety protocols to ensure your work is always of the highest quality?

A lot of the videos I watch help me stay up to date. Whether I find them on my own or they’re sent to me by people here at EDA, like General Superintendent Vinny Marino, who’s always saying, “Hey, I found this video” or “I found this online class, give this a shot.” Additionally, here at EDA, we work with many different products, and the companies that make them are great at providing information. For example, one of the products we use actually sent me to Indiana to learn more about their system, and now EDA is a certified installer of their products.

Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies or interests? How do you balance your personal life with the demands of the construction industry?

I own a lake house in New Hampshire that I try to visit as many weekends as I can throughout the summer. I also take an annual fishing trip to Central America with a group of friends. I have a huge family with five siblings, and we all live relatively close to each other. There’s always something going on at somebody’s house with the nieces, nephews, kids, brothers, and sisters.

Can you describe a challenging project you’ve worked on in the past and how you overcame obstacles to ensure its successful completion?

The toughest job I ever had was 1600 Broadway in Manhattan. It was one of the first residential high-rise buildings in Times Square. The challenge was working around exterior billboards outside the building’s frame. They projected out over the sidewalk, and we had to install ACM panels on the backside. It was challenging because of the scaffolding involved and getting everything up to that location. This job took quite a bit of time, and it was in the middle of winter, so it was rough up there.

I think the largest job I ever did was at the JetBlue terminal at JFK Airport. I started and finished that job, and I was there for just over three years. At the time, you don’t really see them as challenges—they’re just jobs—but then afterward, when you look back, you’re like, “Wow, how the heck did we get that done?”

What values or principles guide your work ethic, and how do you integrate them into your professional life in the construction industry?

Before working for EDA, I worked for a man who was very controlling of everything. He always instilled in everyone, “build like you’re building your mom’s house.” In other words, take pride in your work. I guess having to work to that standard brought me to where I am today, with high standards. It’s even made me a semi-perfectionist in my personal life.

How do you prioritize safety on the job site, and what steps do you take to ensure a safe working environment for yourself and your colleagues?

When I get to a job site, I always watch my team and all the guys on the job. Most of us are working in lifts or on roofs, so the first thing we do is make sure everyone is tied off.

Before working at EDA, I’d be up on scaffolding 15-20 stories in the air with no safety belts, just climbing scaffolding. It has changed so much in the last 20 years, to the point where you don’t realize it until you look back. I didn’t realize how important safety was until maybe the last 10 or 12 years, and I learned so much through Tim Welcher, EDA’s Safety and Operational Excellence Director. At EDA, safety is a huge reflection of everything we do. I prioritize it now more than ever.

Are there any specific career goals or aspirations you have within the construction industry, and how do you plan on achieving them?

In the next few years, I’d like to focus on my organizational skills. Before my time with EDA, I was a General Foreman focused on one job. Now, as Superintendent at EDA, I manage several jobs with the help of the Project Managers and everyone else involved.

I’ve already retired once, and EDA convinced me to come back. I’m not looking to retire again yet, but I am getting tired of the winters. When the time comes, I think I’ll move somewhere with a nicer climate—not necessarily all the way down south.

Can you discuss a time when you had to collaborate with a diverse team on a construction project? How did you handle any differences or challenges that arose?

There was a lot to learn on the Good Samaritan project. There were many things I’d never done before, like crane binders and the plans they wanted in place before we even stepped foot on the job site. The site safety team was very helpful.

I went in with an open mind and said, “Hey, guys, I’m not sure exactly what you’re looking for in these plans that we need to write up.” They were fantastic and walked us through it. After that, we built a good relationship.

How do you manage stress and maintain a positive mindset in a high-pressure environment like construction?

I’ve read a lot about stress, and we all know how it affects our health. I learned years ago that you can’t control it, so don’t try to. Just work through it, and it’ll get done. I don’t take work home with me.

When it comes to stress, you have to manage it. I just try to manage it, so I don’t get more gray hair! You can feel stress building up, and I learned firsthand when I had a health issue—stress was a huge contributor. Since then, I just don’t stress about anything. If I can’t get it done today, I’ll get it done tomorrow.