What led you to your current profession?
I grew up around construction and have always loved it. My father and uncles owned the business, and our office and storage yard are two doors from the house where I grew up. I would visit jobsites with my dad as a kid, “steal” lumber to build tree forts, and play on the equipment. I worked for the company summers, winter breaks, and whenever else I could since I was 15. I went to Providence College and studied business management and stayed to get my MBA knowing that I wanted to run our construction company one day.
Who was/is your mentor and how did s/he influence/help you in your career?
My uncle Mark Lauring taught me about construction and project management. He drilled a strong work ethic into me at a young age. I was never allowed to slack off and he never went easy on me because I was family. He taught me that this is a job, a livelihood, and needed to be taken seriously. If you weren’t early, you were late; and being late wasn’t tolerated. If the job required you to come in early, stay late, or come in on a weekend, that’s what you did. Period. I’m very grateful for all that he’s taught me.
