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

Question 1: What made you want to work at Southway?

I had just started my job search when Southway reached out to me. They were looking for a leader in North Carolina and I have 20+ years of experience in this area. I had a great experience interviewing with Lia Brace, and then another great interview with George Arendt and Matt Novak. I was given the opportunity to fly up to Baltimore to meet Matt Bolyard and we hit it off from the start. I got to see firsthand the quality of Southway’s work and at that point I knew I wanted to work for them. As soon as I heard about the company’s mission statement of Quality, Dependability, and Integrity, I knew that it aligned with my own personal values. I was immediately drawn to their culture and community involvement. Overall, I feel a great connection to the company’s values, culture, and direction.

Question 2: What’s your favorite part about working in construction?

It’s the people. I love getting to meet all sorts of people on a daily basis. We are getting people from all over the U.S. coming here, so it’s definitely a melting pot in a sense of what America has to offer. I started out in construction working in the field and I love how everyone I met shared common ground no matter the position we were in. It’s really important to me that I know everyone on a first-name basis and that they know I’m a person they can trust.

Question 3: What does a typical day look like for you in your current role?

In my current role as a Senior Project Manager at Southway, my typical day involves a range of responsibilities. On one hand, I’m working to support and integrate the Southway brand within the Raleigh community. This involves making connections and building relationships, which can be challenging but is an important part of the role. In addition, I’m also involved in pre-construction activities for various projects in Raleigh and Baltimore, where I’m drawing on my expertise to ensure the success of our  projects.

Question 4: What excites you most about the Southeast expansion?

I really love the growth and potential that the Southeast expansion offers. I’ve seen the Raleigh area grow over the past 20 years and it’s exciting to be a part of that.. The area’s growth is particularly promising, especially with the expansion of 540. I love that this area has a unique, small-city feel and I really enjoy being a part of that. What also excites me are the people behind the scenes. Getting to know people from all positions, whether it’s laborers, superintendents, or foreman, is incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder that we’re all connected through a shared goal. 

Question 5: What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids. We have four boys, ranging in age from 10 to 19. My wife is a full-time homemaker and we’re actively involved in our children’s activities. I coach various sports teams and am the Athletic Director for my 14-year-old son’s Lacrosse program. In addition, our family is actively involved at St. Ann’s church in Clayton, NC and leads a team organizing an international food festival. Our family is very  involved with a Scottish Pipe band in the area. All four of my boys play the bagpipes to some degree, and my wife is the drummer in the band performing at the Scottish Games.