Inside the build: A day in the life of four Skanska superintendents
Skanska superintendents shape the rhythm of our jobsites and the success of our projects. Together, their stories show how leadership, preparation and problem-solving drive our projects forward.
At first light, the jobsite is already humming. Radios crackle. Crews gather for Stretch & Flex, an energetic muscle warm up that brings everyone together. Superintendents scan schedules, walk the project, confirm safety plans and prepare teams for what lies ahead. No two days ever look the same, and that’s exactly the point. Across the country, Skanska superintendents balance complex operations with something deeper: a commitment to people, safety and teamwork.
Dynamic challenges and steady leadership
At a major healthcare project in Manhattan, New York, Superintendent Kelly Behan starts each morning with a packed agenda.
Her busiest time? Between 6:30 and 8 a.m.
“All these tasks occurring at once can often feel overwhelming,” says Kelly. “The key is preparation. Having an accurate three-week lookahead allows me to set my days up for success.”
Her healthcare project includes the renovation of more than 100,000 square feet, with full gut demolition, MEP upgrades and new office spaces. To keep so many moving parts in sync, Kelly relies on planning, delegation and communication. Procore and DroneDeploy help her track progress and manage information in real time, but her most valuable tools, she says, are patience and teamwork.
“The construction field is demanding,” she said. “As a leader, you need to solve problems, stay composed and help your team do the same.”
Kelly leads with precision and patience on a complex healthcare renovation. “The key is preparation. Having an accurate three-week lookahead allows me to set my days up for success."
Finding balance amid high winds
Far from Midtown Manhattan, Superintendent Michelle Miyaki is tackling a different kind of challenge on the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester, Pennsylvania, and Bridgeport, New Jersey. Windy conditions frequently halt operations on the 86-foot-tall manlifts her crews use to access the upper truss, requiring her teams to pivot quickly.
“You learn to always have a few backup plans,” says Michelle. “Sometimes even our option B doesn’t work out.”
For Michelle, staying level-headed in these situations is critical. Rather than rush a decision when issues arise, she takes a moment to reassess. That pause, she says, reinforces to her team that “safety and doing the job right, even if it’s a bit slower, are always the top priorities.”
Her approach builds trust and strengthens collaboration, both values that carry through to every stage of the job.
“This industry is ultimately about people,” she says. “Supporting them, leading them and succeeding together is what makes it so rewarding.”
Michelle guides bridge crews through high winds with calm leadership and backup plans. “Safety and doing the job right, even if it’s a bit slower, are always the top priorities.”
Consistency and care in the details
In Atlanta, Georgia, Superintendent Cuauhtemoc Solorzano begins his day with a walkthrough of the MARTA Five Points Station transit project, supporting General Superintendent David Hunter and the team. It’s a simple routine with major impact.
“It sets the tone for the day and lets me connect with the crew and identify any issues before work begins,” he said.
Cuauhtemoc describes his role as “satisfactory”—not because it’s easy, but because it aligns with his values. For him, leadership means consistency: showing up with a plan, leading by example and never compromising safety. He notes that consistency and caring about the details are what anchors and keeps a project steady.
Digital tools like Procore, Bluebeam and DroneDeploy keep operations organized, but the heart of his work lies in people.
“Every day presents a challenge,” says Cuauhtemoc. “The most important thing is ensuring everyone leaves the jobsite safely and returns home to their families.”
On the MARTA transit project, Cuauhtemoc starts each day with a walkthrough. “It sets the tone for the day and lets me connect with the crew and identify any issues before work begins."
Building culture, one huddle at a time
For Ian Wilson, superintendent at the Belmont Skating Rink and Athletic Facility project in Belmont, Massachusetts, communication is the cornerstone of success. The project’s tight timeline and budget require the team to stay perfectly aligned, something Ian has achieved through daily huddles.
“Meeting daily is a game changer,” says Ian. “Having all crew leaders in the same room and hearing one message reduces downtime and improves scheduling.”
Those huddles, along with morning briefings and Stretch & Flex sessions, foster a culture of transparency and mutual respect.
“Be the pebble in the pond and set the tone for safety and culture on the project,” says Ian, repeating advice from his late mentor Chris Kelley. “Ensure everyone on the project, no matter their seniority or title, has a voice and feels safe to speak up.”
Ian began with Skanska as a laborer in 2001 and worked his way up to superintendent in 2019. It’s a journey that, he says, taught him the value of humility and perseverance.
“Spend more time listening and observing,” he says. “Every day is a new day of learning.”
“Ensure everyone on the project, no matter their seniority or title, has a voice and feels safe to speak up,” says Ian, a superintendent at the Belmont Skating Rink and Athletic Facility.
A shared purpose
As the sun sets, our superintendents are already thinking about tomorrow’s plan. The next pour, the next milestone, the next challenge just waiting to be solved.
Their work is demanding. It’s fast-moving. It requires judgment, resilience and heart. But ask any of them, and they’ll tell you the same thing: it’s worth it.
Whether coordinating complex renovations in New York, managing bridge operations in high winds, or leading major infrastructure projects, Skanska’s superintendents share a common thread: a deep commitment to people, problem-solving and progress.
Each day brings something new—a challenge, a teachable moment, a chance to lead by example. And for each superintendent, that’s exactly what makes the work so meaningful.
“Learn something from every person you meet and every challenge you face,” says Kelly. “If you stay confident, determined and open to guidance, you’ll succeed.”