The people who plan, manage, and build our projects are all experts in their field, and an integral part of our company’s success. Jordan Watts is a project manager currently working on a high-rise tower in busy, midtown Atlanta. Here’s eight questions to get to know him:
1. What’s your day-to-day look like?
- 4:45 AM – Wake Up
- 5:00 AM – Shower, start coffee, and breakfast
- 5:15 AM – Read or run
- 5:45 AM – Wake up our 5-month old -daughter, change her, feed her, and spend time with her and my wife.
- 6:30 AM – Head to the office
- 6:45 AM – Discuss daily/weekly needs with project superintendent
- 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM – On my current project, we’re at the stage where contracts are all executed, submittals are approved, and there are typically very few, if any, RFI’s. My main job is to support the field and make sure they have the necessary manpower and materials onsite to facilitate the schedule. Typically, we are making sure we have everything in place for activities that are taking place in the next 2-6 weeks.
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Gym
- 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Typical project manager duties such as projections, price owner changes, review and approve invoices/pay apps, document management, closeout, or walk the job site.
- 5:15 PM – Head home
- 6:00 PM – Dinner with family
- 7:00 PM – Get our daughter ready for bed
- 7:45 PM – Read or watch TV with my wife
- 9:00 PM – Bedtime!
2. What’s the one lesson you’ve learned in this industry that’s stuck with you?
As a GC we cannot complete these projects on our own. It is important to develop relationships with everyone involved in the project and let them know you appreciate what they do. Establishing a team environment is an important key to success.
3. What project are you on now?
Gentry, a 21-story multifamily high-rise in Atlanta.
4. Describe the last challenge you solved on a job?
The original kitchen sink submitted and approved for our project was discontinued a few months after submission. Despite coordinating the approval of an alternate sink with the owner, design team, and countertop trade, the incorrect sink opening was cut into the countertops for the first two floors. Through reaching out to several distributors, we were able to find enough of the discontinued sinks in stock for the first two floors and discussed the option with our owner, who approved the installation of the discontinued on the first two floors — allowing us to move forward without losing time and materials to rework.
5. How did you get started in the industry?
My family has been in the residential construction industry for as long as I can remember. Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to build things. I’m basically doing what I grew up around just on a much larger scale.
6. What’s the best part of your job?
Being able to see the hours of coordination and hard work turn into a finished product.
7. What’s your fondest from your time with Hoar Construction?
My wife and I had had our first child back in July 2019. The head superintendent threw us a baby shower that was incredible! It was so thoughtful and such a surprise.
8. What’s your hidden talent?
Video games!
