Q: What is your job title with Sargent, and what are your core responsibilities?
A: I joined Sargent in January 2001, and I am the Lead Estimator, Mid-Atlantic. My role is to develop the budget, initial strategy, and pricing for a project. Estimating is usually the first team in our company to look at a new project. We read plans & specs, take off quantities, source materials and subcontractors, figure labor & equipment costs, and build preliminary schedules. For successful bids, we communicate the scope and budget to the operations team and support them in the early stages of the work.
Q: What are the main challenges of your job?
A: We’re in a very competitive market. To win, we must offer the lowest price on public projects and the best value on private work. We balance competing for market opportunities with our crew availability and selecting work that fits our team. We also work to elevate everyone’s understanding of a project, identifying scope ambiguities, constructability issues, and risks.
Q: What were you doing in your career before joining Sargent?
A: I started with the Building & Industrial Division of H.E. Sargent when I was eighteen. My first role was working with the quality control manager and project engineer on a site in Warren, Maine. In 2007, Pat Dubay offered me a position in our Mid-Atlantic office. I took on the estimating position here in 2016.
Q: What do you enjoy about your job?
A: Estimating is challenging and competitive work. It is an opportunity to make an initial impact on every project our region performs. My role also interacts with operations, finance, business development, and company leadership. There are always opportunities to make small improvements that assist other teammates in their roles.
Q: Why do you think Sargent is such a great company to work for?
A: Our operations team has a track record of excellent project execution. As an estimator, that’s a huge asset. When we make commitments to clients, there is enormous confidence that our field crew will deliver. Our operations team is a partner to estimating, providing technical input during the bid process and then taking on full ownership of the outcome after award.
Q: Are there any accomplishments in your career that you’re particularly proud of?
A: Mid-Atlantic region’s growth has delivered a lot of value for our employee-owners. Our operations team here is exceptional, and I’m proud to support this crew.
Q: How do you think this industry could do a better job of recruiting young talent?
A: Sargent’s workforce advancement team provides a program for training & mentoring future crew leaders and skilled tradespeople. Implementing that program has impacted the rest of the organization, bringing a higher level of focus on how we all impact younger talent. I think that approach is a great step forward for our industry.
Q: Has there been anyone throughout your life that you’ve viewed as a mentor?
A: Pat Dubay has been an awesome mentor. I can’t overstate how valuable his support has been. Our other estimators in New England, Mike Thibodeau and Dave Preble, have also taught me a huge amount. I’ve looked up to those guys, and they’ve always been there for me. Early in my career, several folks spent considerable time building me up: Jon DiCentes, Nicole Hardy, John Chessa, John Sturgeon.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Spending time with my daughter and family. I like hiking and kayaking. I also read a lot and play acoustic guitar.
