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? Started March 18th, 2019.
- What’s your job title? Senior Estimator
- What exactly do you do at our company Estimating and Project Management for Florida work for both Plateau and DeWitt Excavation
- So far, what has been your favorite project? I don’t really have a favorite, but I like the projects with unique challenges. Central Florida site conditions vary greatly from variable groundwater levels, tidal influences for coastal projects, questionable soils, wetland impacts, endangered (protected) wildlife species, sinkholes, etc., all of which makes every report and bid document important to read and take into consideration during the bidding process.
- How would you describe your team or the people you work with? Competitive, passionate, talented, confident, relentless…I could go on. The team’s quality, discipline, and loyalty here are unmatched, absolutely the best in the business. It didn’t take me long to realize that having a team like we have is a product of culture and it starts at the top. Recruitment and retainage are important to success.
- What advice would you provide to someone interested in getting into this industry? Give it your all and find your niche. I started as a CAD tech and surveyor back in college and it helped me pave my way. I’ve been a part of nearly every position from surveying, truck dispatching, accounting, and project management, to estimating, and have learned so much along the way. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s the quickest way to learn.
- What is your favorite aspect about your job, Plateau, or the industry? Estimating can tend to be tedious and stressful at times, especially in a very competitive market, so it’s always exciting to be awarded new work and negotiate contracts. It is often feast or famine in estimating and weeks can quickly turn into months of unsuccessful bidding, but when the contracts finally come, it’s rewarding.
- What drew you to Plateau originally? I was referred by a vendor and interviewed with Brad and Greg a few times before deciding to come on board. I only wished I had come on board sooner. It really is a remarkable place to work.
- What is something unique about you (a fun fact) that few people are aware of? Fun fact About me: I love all kinds of music but am really a fan of Atlanta hip-hop, old-school breakbeats, and techno. Artists like Rodney-O & Joe Cooley, Midnight Star, Outkast, Goodie Mob, DJ Baby Anne, Tony Faline
- Anything else to share? My wife and I are foster and adoptive parents. We started our fostering journey in 2018 with 2 sisters that we ended up adopting last summer. About a year before adopting them, we started fostering 2 more that it’s looking like we will be adopting before Christmas. So, we have 3 girls ages 9, 9, and 13, and a 3-year-old boy. We also have 2 of our own (now 20 and 25 years old), so it’s like we basically started over. It’s been a journey, and we love to tell our story. I also need to brag on my wife here, not only is she an amazing mom and wife, but also a published author, has a country album on iTunes and YouTube, is on the Carroll County Foster Parent Association Board, and runs a non-profit (Harmony & Hope Foundation) that provides mentorship and resources to other foster and adoptive families.
Give it your all and find your niche. I started as a CAD tech and surveyor back in college and it helped me pave my way. I’ve been a part of nearly every position from surveying, truck dispatching, accounting, and project management, to estimating, and have learned so much along the way. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s the quickest way to learn.