Summary
Dave Richards shares his journey from growing up on a cattle ranch in Arizona to serving in the military as an airborne engineering officer. He then transitions to his civilian career at Granite Construction, where he takes on various roles and manages significant projects, including the construction of the border fence. Finally, he discusses his experience managing the Heavy Civil Group and highlights the challenging Tappan Zee Bridge project. In this conversation, Dave Richards, a retired construction executive, shares his experiences and insights in the construction industry. He discusses the challenges and interesting aspects of his job, including the process of driving piles into the river and setting templates for construction. Dave also talks about his transition from the military to Granite Construction and offers advice for veterans entering the civilian workforce. He emphasizes the importance of taking time for oneself and family and recommends the book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen Covey. Overall, Dave's career in construction has been rewarding and fulfilling.
Takeaways
Dave Richards' military background as an airborne engineering officer provided him with valuable skills and experiences that he carried into his civilian career.
Working at Granite Construction allowed Dave to work on significant projects, including the construction of the border fence and the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Managing large-scale projects requires strong leadership skills and the ability to navigate challenges and changes.
Dave's career journey showcases the importance of networking and seizing opportunities when they arise.
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Mentions in This Video
Dave's Info:
➡︎ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-richards-a66a5143/
➡︎ Books:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- https://amzn.to/43QkEIu (amazon)
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Timecodes
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:28 Childhood and Military Service
22:16 Building the Border Fence
27:21 Managing Granite's Northwest Operating Group
29:14 Managing the Heavy Civil Group
29:55 The Tappan Zee Bridge Project
30:26 Introduction and Job Description
31:13 Challenges and Interesting Aspects of the Job
32:20 Process of Driving Piles into the River
33:30 Setting Templates and Driving Piles
34:27 Transitioning from Military to Granite Construction
35:37 Transition Period and Moving with a Family
36:45 Translatable Skills from Military to Construction
39:01 Career Wins and Projects
51:55 Wellness Practice: Taking Time for Yourself and Family
54:27 Book Recommendation: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
55:45 Conclusion and Closing Remarks
