Not Your Everyday Contractor...

People often ask me how I got involved with construction, and I tell them – I was born into it.

My grandfather was a general contractor, my father was a general contractor, and I went to the Construction Engineering and Management Program at Purdue University – so it’s really all I know and what I’ve been doing all my life. I enjoy it immensely, which is why I continue to do it after all these years.

This morning I received a call from a potential client that wanted to talk about renovating a building. Now, were they looking for someone who was the least expensive contractor to do the job? Or were they looking for a construction professional who would be their partner, help them make decisions through both the design and construction phases, and offer the best value for their construction dollar? The answer to these questions determines if CCB is a good fit for their project, and if their project is a good fit for CCB.

After discussing project specifics with this individual, I concluded that they were ultimately looking for a “just get it done” contractor – which is perfectly fine – but I had to tell them that CCB just wouldn’t be the best fit for their project.

Now some people will read this and think “he just turned down a job,” but I went on to explain to him that CCB is in the business of being a true construction partner. This individual was in the market for a “just get it done” contractor, and that just isn’t CCB. We like to view ourselves as part-time construction professionals on our clients team – a team that not only can guide our clients through all phases of construction, but a team that’s also there for their future endeavors.

A friend of mine once told me that you can realistically deliver only two of the following three things during a construction project: impeccable quality, low cost, and timely completion. It is virtually impossible to have all three, and if you value time and quality as much as we do, then naturally we may not always be the lowest cost contractor – but we will bring you the best value.

If you think CCB is the right teammate for you and your construction needs, let’s have a chat!

Women in Construction

This year we’ve celebrated national Women in Construction Week, Purdue University’s #4 nationally-ranked graduate School of Engineering – both of which were highlighted on our social media pages – and Purdue’s #9 nationally-ranked undergrad School of Engineering. As president of Charles C. Brandt Construction and a Purdue engineering graduate, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in the construction field, and want to be a voice for my chosen profession and an advocate for encouraging women to pursue an education in this traditionally male dominated industry.

Ladies, you’re NEEDED and WANTED in the construction world, and you owe it to yourself to spend some time learning about the various roles available. One of them might be the perfect fit for you!

In 2019, Purdue released enrollment figures for the School of Engineering where women represent only 26% of total undergraduate students. Ag, Bio, Environmental & Ecological disciplines led the way at over 50%, while Construction Engineering was near the bottom at 19%. Purdue’s Women in Engineering Program (WIEP) was established over 50 years ago, and has increased women’s participation in the school from less than 1% of enrollees, to the current 26%. That’s huge progress, but we can and must do better!

The National Association of Women in Construction – the sponsors of the annual Women in Construction Week – state that only 10.3% of entire construction workforce is women, and less than 1% of the front line / job site workforce is women. Considering that women make up 47% of all employed individuals, we have a long way to go.

My construction career started with internships while still a student at Purdue, to my first post graduate job here at Charles C. Brandt as field engineer. I moved to Project Manager, then Director of Project Management, then to my current position as President. Along the way, I’ve learned so much from so many people from every walk-of-life you can imagine – company owners, CEO’s, architects, real estate investors, other engineers, field force, and every teammate at CCB – and every person I’ve encountered has prepared me for today and beyond. My career has been a completely new education in addition to what I learned in college, that education is still ongoing, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Math isn’t your thing? That’s okay, you don’t have to be an engineer to join our team. Last month in a shared social media post celebrating Women in Construction, we listed the names of ten women on our team. The positions they hold – all critical to our success – include senior staff accountant, company president, project assistant, administrative supervisor, staff accountant, project manager, and field laborer. There is literally something for everyone, and CCB is ALWAYS hiring good people to join our team.

For more information about Purdue University’s WIEP, use this link: https://www.purdue.edu/wiep/index.html

For more information from NAWIC, use this link: https://www.nawic.org/nawic/Career_Center.asp

If you have further interest in discussing opportunities, or any questions about my experience in this industry, please contact me through the link below. Thank you!

Employee Spotlight: Celebrating Jeff Nichols' 32 Years at CCB

Jeff Nichols has been with CCB since the late 1980s and has since become one of our company’s most skilled and dedicated superintendents. Read on to learn more about Jeff and how he’s gotten to where he is today!

When did you start at CCB and what was your life like at the time? 1988 or 1989 at the Alamo Car Rental. I was single and attending IUPUI at night.

What did you want to be when you were growing up and how did that change as you got older? I wanted to work with my uncle who was an architect/builder, but he passed when I was in HS.

Who were some of your first colleagues/mentors when you started at CCB? Rick Thomas Jim Leslie, and Jack Lautenschlager. Those guys really showed me the ropes in this business and I’m forever grateful to them for it!

What was one of the more challenging moments working at CCB? Working in Miami, FL for 17 months, getting to the airport Monday at 5 a.m, getting home Friday after midnight, and only being with my family two days a week. We did a lot of great work down there, but it did get hard for my family after awhile.

What is your most memorable moment at CCB? After completing the Cinemas at the Mall of America, going to the grand opening of the mall, watching Ray Charles walk into the rotunda, sit down at a grand piano and sing America the Beautiful! I was in awe of what I was witnessing. I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.

What lessons has working at CCB taught you, and what advice would you give to employees that have started working at CCB in the last few years? Treat every job as if it is your own because you are not only representing CCB but yourself. Always do your best. Know what you know and know what you don't. Always be ready to listen and learn, because you never know where that next great piece of career advice is going to come from.