News

In this interview, we sit down with Assistant Project Manager, Dan Anderson, to learn more about his background, career journey, and his thoughts on the company’s exciting expansion into North Carolina.

Where did your construction and Southway career start?

My construction career started when I was just a kid. Growing up, my parents owned a fire sprinkler subcontractor business, so I was always around job site plans and weird business strategy discussions at the dinner table. When I graduated college with a degree in exercise science and applied to physical therapy programs, I realized it wasn’t the right path for me. It just didn’t feel like the future I wanted.

Then one day, I called my mom and told her I didn’t want to go to grad school. I had this idea to try construction instead. I started at in the industry in an entry-level position at another company, and it wasn’t long before I realized that construction made perfect sense to me. I could apply the same kind of curiosity and learning I had towards the human body to construction. I saw that buildings were like bodies, with different systems working together. 

How long have you been with Southway and what has your experience been like so far?

My experience at Southway has been awesome and incredibly rewarding so far. I started here in March 2020, just in time for the start of the Covid pandemic. Before joining Southway, I left my previous job because I didn’t agree with their business practices. I decided to call Willy Moore, our President, and was fortunate to get a call back from him. He was able to set me up with an interview right away. My first job title at Southway was Project Engineer Level One. Since then, I have been promoted twice – originally to Level Two and then to Level Three, which was later restructured and renamed to Assistant Project Manager. As an Assistant PM, I am nearing the final stage of becoming a Project Manager. My responsibilities have increased significantly since my initial role. Overall, I’ve been pleased with my experience at Southway and am grateful for the opportunities and support they have provided me.

What does a typical day look like for you in your current role?

During a typical day in my current role, I begin by interacting with clients and potential contractors to market our services. After that, I focus on coordinating with various construction crews to ensure that projects stay on schedule and on budget. I also spend time collecting billing reports and preparing documentation for the project’s owners. I’m often tasked with managing change orders, billings, and attending project meetings. In addition, as the point of contact for the town, I handle any issues that arise with the local government and ensure that all necessary regulations are followed. I enjoy many aspects of my job and I take pride in my ability to find creative solutions to problems.

What excites you most about the Southeast expansion?

The Southeast expansion is an exciting opportunity, both personally and for the company, as it presents a new chapter for my career, offering significant growth and the potential for greater rewards. Coming from Baltimore, a more structured and cookie-cutter environment, the move to the Southeast offers a chance to be a part of something bigger and have more influence in shaping the company culture. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with a more hands-on approach and collaborate with new people, building new relationships and partnerships in this dynamic region.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Whenever I have free time outside of work, I tend to seek quiet moments to relax and recharge. While at work, I often find myself engaged in business development (BD) activities, constantly going out to meet people and sell our services. However, when I’m not working, I prefer the outdoors and quiet. In the summer, I enjoy going to the beach with my girlfriend and simply relaxing on the sand. During the winter months, I like to head to the mountains for some snowboarding. I also play golf occasionally, and I have a mixed-breed short-haired pointer and chocolate lab whom I love spending time with.