Mike Mealor
Superintendent at Skanska;
Former Captain, Operations Officer in the United States Army
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8 years supervising, sequencing and coordinating work on construction sites
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4 1/2 years leading tank platoons and scout platoons during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan
How would your crew describe your supervisory style?
I learned early on as a junior officer to trust the folks that you’re leading. Give people the information and equipment they need to accomplish their task to set the conditions for success. I like to give the “mission and intent” to borrow a military phrase, and let them do what they are trained to do and then be there to help clear any roadblocks in their way.
Which construction project has presented the most challenges? How did you solve these challenges?
The expansion and addition to the University of Central Florida Baseball Stadium. The challenges included an extremely compressed schedule, and a need for the team to train, practice and play games and tournaments, all while construction was underway. This required a significant amount of planning and coordination with the athletics department, coaching staff and facilities team. We had to progress our work and then isolate our tools, equipment and work area to allow fans to fill the stadium. Challenges like these can only be solved through constant communication and a team focus, and we had both on that project.
What strategies do you employ to maintain a safe jobsite?
I believe in creating a culture of community where people are looking out for each other because it’s the right thing to do, rather than because someone or a sign told them they had to. Many injuries happen because someone was well intentioned, just “trying to get it done,” and cut a corner. We build some great things, but none of them are worth a father/mother/son/daughter not going home to their family at the end of the day.
What’s your favorite tool on the job?
It would be a toss-up between a tower crane and an all-terrain forklift. Tower crane because, who doesn’t love a tower crane, and forklift because no matter the location or size of a project, every component of a building must come off a truck and a lull is a pretty effective tool to get material from point A to B.
What’s the best advice you’ve received in both of your careers?
Surround yourself with people who have common values even, or especially if, you have different opinions. I also learned that loyalty goes in two directions, both up and down.