Plateau Excavation
With a strong foundation built on people, quality craftsmanship, and innovation, Plateau Excavation has become a leader in tackling advanced, large-scale and complex site development projects, but it is our people that truly make the difference and have moved the company forward.
- How many years have you been at Plateau Excavation? 3 years (+ 3 years more with Sterling prior to Plateau)
- What’s your job title? Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- What exactly do you do at our company? I am responsible for all things Financial for Plateau and its sister companies: DeWitt, LK Gregory, and Kimes & Stone. In addition to financial duties, I also assist the President with items that are vital to the company but don’t fall within a specific group.
- So far, what has been your favorite project? Hyundai in Kingston, I am just blown away at what our field team can accomplish. My view of our projects is more from the WIP level of results and what impresses me the most has been Plateau’s ability to continually evolve over the years with the trends in the Southeast. Plateau has pivoted from one trend to the next, from warehouses to the Amazon buildout, to the current Data Center and Manufacturing wave. Plateau continues to evolve with the market, size, scope, and complexity demands of each wave. Our sustained double-digit growth is a testament to our field execution and flexibility to adapt to the next wave.
- How would you describe your team or the people you work with? Dedicated, hardworking, and supportive. The Finance group or “Nate’s Army,” as Brad likes to call it, is behind the scenes working hard to ensure the accuracy of our results, whether that is paying +1,000 people every week or processing +6,000 AP invoices a month, to everything in between. I am so proud of this group and the effort they give every day.
- What advice would you provide to someone interested in getting into this industry? It is a tough business that fewer and fewer people are choosing to take on, but for those that do, with hard work, there is a tremendous opportunity for financial success and a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
- What is your favorite aspect about your job, Plateau, or the industry? Approving accounting entries….no, no that is not it….It is definitely the people at Plateau. I have worked for quite a few different companies large and small in my career and Plateau is blessed with a fantastic group of people that are all pulling on the rope in the same direction.
- What drew you to Plateau originally? I was with Sterling before the acquisition of Plateau, and in my old role, I had financial oversight of all Sterling subs and would regularly visit those locations. After the acquisition, I was flying to Atlanta every week to work with Brad and the leadership team on the transition to being a subsidiary of the public company and all that goes with it. As the weeks and months went by, Plateau started to feel like home, and with Plateau’s importance to Sterling, I knew I could help make a real difference by joining this team.
- What is something unique about you (a fun fact) that few people are aware of? I am a big Arsenal fan and enjoy watching the Premiership and Champions League competitions. One day, I would love to see them live at Emirates Stadium in London.
- Anything else to share? I would like to thank my wife and family for all their support throughout my career. We have moved multiple times and lived as far away as Connecticut and Texas. At this point, my wife is a pro at dealing with United van lines and boxing up a house for a move. Looking forward to calling Plateau home for the rest of my career.
It is a tough business that fewer and fewer people are choosing to take on, but for those that do, with hard work, there is a tremendous opportunity for financial success and a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
