by Dale W. Price

THE CAREER OF A 4TH GENERATION CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

I was born the youngest of three sons to a 3rd generation General Contractor. During summer vacations while my friends were camping and going to Disneyland, my Dad had always arranged to build a custom home from the ground up.

Although I was making good money for an 8 year old, (NOT KIDDING) I swore I would never be in construction, no matter what!

Then once I was 16 I tried to make it outside construction and realized very quickly that making $20.00 dollars an hour was much more acceptable than the $3.35 I could make outside construction.

. When I turned 18 my brothers and I got our own General Contracting license and to my surprise I fell in love with construction. I loved everything about it and made it my goal to master all aspects of construction.

The early 90’s were very hard on us and I joined the Navy to become an underwater welder. Once enlisted, however, I found out that all underwater welding was contracted out to civilians so I became 55 coded as a high pressure welder. Once my time was up I went right back into construction for Cary Construction out of the Bay Area. I worked my way up to Area Manager and after 6 years I decided to move on to a larger builder with more opportunities Centex Homes. I was a Lead Field Manager with them until the recession hit in 2008 and Centex Homes laid off 80% of their managers before being bought out by Pulte Homes in 2009.

Looking for something that might be a stable career in the economy I went to work for a large commercial solar company, SPG Solar. I built several large solar tracking systems for schools and almond hulling companies totaling over 3 megawatts. Unfortunately the economy hit them in 2009 and I was laid off.

I tried to ride out the recession working for myself doing remodels and finish carpentry until May of 2010 when I picked up a contract as Project Superintendent to build solar car port systems at 14 schools for Stellar Energy totaling 2.2 megawatts. I completed my contract with them in September of this year and I am currently installing roof mount solar systems for myself and remodeling homes in the Central Valley.

. I am eager to get back to work for a growing company where I can have a permanent position and a chance to advance within.

Thank you for your time. I hope you enjoyed my life.

Dale W. Price