Q: What is your role with Southern Site?
A: I joined Southern Site as a laborer in March 2019. After working as a laborer for a while, I moved up to operating an excavator. Currently, I’m a foreman in training. To move up to that role full-time, I need to prove that I have the ability to run a job.
Q: What were you up to in your career before you came to Southern Site?
A: I graduated from high school in May 2012, and I started working at Nissan building cars in June 2012. I held that job for about six years before I joined Southern Site.
Q: What do you enjoy about your job today? What makes you excited to come to work every day?
A: I love watching each job site progress from the early stages to a finished project. It’s always satisfying to make a job look good.
Q: Why do you think Southern Site is a good place to work? What sets them apart from other companies?
A: Southern Site promotes from within, which is always important. They also do a great job of communicating with employees. They always make sure that if anyone needs something on any job site, they’ll get what they need quickly. We always have everything we need to get the job done. They’re really prepared at all times, and I’ve never had any issues with the management or ownership teams here.
Q: Is there any specific project you look back on with pride? If so, why does that job stand out in your mind?
A: Absolutely! We were working on a housing subdivision in White House, Tennessee. It was a huge project. By the time I started working on it, the project was already in phase six. We had all kinds of stuff happening out there. We moved so much material, it was just awesome. That’s where I first started learning how to run a track hoe, and learning how excavation works.
Q: Is there anyone in your life that you look up to as a mentor?
A: I would say both my dad and my uncle. They have both been in construction for their entire lives. My uncle actually works here at Southern Site, and he’s the reason I work here too. I was working on my uncle’s crew until I started training to be a foreman.
He and my dad taught me the work ethic I needed to be successful in construction. If they weren’t in this industry, I’m not sure if I would be either. Construction was definitely on my mind as an option, and I knew I was sick of working in a factory. I was working the night shift at the Nissan factory, and that made it really difficult to see my son.
Q: How do you like to spend your free time when you’re not at work?
A: I love to spend time with my son when I have him. We hang out as much as possible. When I have time to myself, I like to go ride RZRs.
