5 QUESTIONS WITH: PAT IRWIN, SUPERINTENDENT
In this interview, we spoke with Pat Irwin, Superintendent at Southway Builders, to learn more about his background, career journey, and gain insights into the recent expansion into North Carolina.
Where did your construction career start?
I started out doing carpentry work with my brother-in-law at a young age, and then as a teenager I worked for an electrical company. When that wasn’t quite challenging enough, I started working for a mechanical contractor for a number of years and during that time period I really learned the trade.
How long have you been with Southway and what has your experience been like so far?
March will be 15 years with Southway, but I’ve been in the industry for over 40 years. I relocated to North Carolina to help grow the team here and start the first project with our Southeast division. We are growing rapidly in North Carolina and looking to expand our team further. We have a great group of people down here and everyone I’ve met has been really nice. Southway always tries to do the right thing and we are focused on delivering quality, being dependable and doing so with integrity.
What does a typical day look like for you in your current role?
I’m typically on the site from 6:30 AM until 5:30 PM. Right now I’m overseeing about 4 contractors and 30-40 guys here on-site every day. Working in Chapel Hill almost feels like we are on the side of a mountain, so we have had challenges with the slope. It is different from what I’ve experienced working in Maryland. My favorite part of my job is that it’s outside and I get to work with great people. Even when it’s a struggle, I still love what I do.
What excites you about the Southeast expansion?
The people are great here. I haven’t met one person that wasn’t nice. We are growing really fast and looking specifically for superintendents right now. We will probably double our team in the coming months. Another thing I’m excited about being in North Carolina are all the opportunities for historic renovations.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My wife and I love spending time outside in nature and going camping with our two dogs. We go to Pennsylvania a lot for short weekend camping trips. We also really enjoy trying new restaurants and exploring around Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Our favorites so far have been the Wooden Nickel and Al’s Burger Shack.
