News

In this interview, we sit down with Southway’s Assistant Superintendant, Dedriyon Cook, to learn more about his background, career journey, and his thoughts on the company’s exciting expansion into North Carolina. Dedriyon recently joined Southway Builders and is excited to be a part of this passionate and hardworking team.

How did your construction and Southway career start?

My construction career really started when I was just a kid, building stuff with Legos and taking things apart so I could put them back together. When I got to high school I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, building houses and putting up walls. I took a carpentry class that I really enjoyed and then when I met a Project Manager who came to talk to my class about construction management I was intrigued. While I attended N.C. A&T in Greensboro, I had a residential construction internship, but when I shadowed a commercial builder I realized that’s where I wanted to be. My first job out of college was working for a general contractor in Cary, where I got my feet wet in the industry. I was connected to the company through a recruiter on LinkedIn and I knew a former co-worker who worked at Southway and had nothing but good things to say about the company culture.

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

I started working for Southway in July and it’s been a great experience so far. Their focus on relationships has created an enjoyable working environment. Most of my coworkers are around my same age and it’s been a really refreshing change from previous jobs. There’s a lot of energy and excitement, and I also feel like there are more opportunities for young professionals like me to grow and develop in my career here at Southway. Overall, I’ve enjoyed my experience here and look forward to continuing to work with such motivated and talented colleagues.

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

A typical day in my current role at Southway starts out at 6:00 AM. I start my day by arriving 15 minutes early to get everything set up for the day and walk the jobsite to check the status of everything since the night before. After that, I review the daily logs, close out any observations, and add new ones to ensure we’re keeping a close eye on safety and quality. Throughout the day, I attend meetings with other project managers and contractors to discuss any issues or changes that need to be made. I also follow up on any outstanding tasks or problems that have been brought to my attention. The rest of my day is spent on the job site, talking to the team, and making sure that everything is running smoothly and safely. I also answer questions and deal with any surprises that come up.

What excites you most about the Southeast expansion?

I’m really excited about Southway’s expansion into the North Carolina market because it presents an incredible opportunity for me to be a part of something new and help set the standard in that region. This expansion is a chance for me to grow and advance in my career with the potential to move into a higher leadership role like Superintendent. With Southway prioritizing its presence in this market, I feel that I can be at the forefront of this growth and make a meaningful impact. The Southeast expansion marks the beginning of a new chapter for Southway, and I am honored to be a part of it.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I like to stay active, so I go to the gym and I’m always trying new things, like recently I tried archery. I’m a big sports guy, especially football. I’m a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, but unfortunately I’ve learned to live with the pain and disappointment that comes with being a Cowboys fan. I love trying new foods and especially enjoy Mexican cuisine, although nothing beats grandma’s food!