Terry L. Grayson

Tell me about a time when priorities shifted without warning for you at work. How did you respond?

As an executive in a construction management company, it’s crucial to acknowledge that workplace fatalities can occur on construction sites. In such events, it is vital to shift all priorities immediately from active construction work to comprehensive Job Site Analysis (JSA) strategic plans. These plans should include the creation of a built triage team that conducts weekly meetings to assess all community and personnel requirements. To ensure everyone’s safety, it is necessary to halt all building activities for a minimum of four months. Such a strategy can help prevent further mishaps and prioritize the well-being of everyone involved in the construction process.

Describe a challenging situation that demanded you build rapport with someone quickly.

As an experienced executive in operational leadership, I faced a daunting challenge when a natural disaster in the form of a fire necessitated the movement of a significantly larger number of hauling trucks (1200 trucks) through local towns, crossing county lines. This was in stark contrast to the typical range of 100-200 trucks that traveled to the landfill and required swift engagement with the Mayor of the largest local town, with whom I had not had any prior interaction. During the meeting, I proactively addressed ton needs and sought to understand the Mayor’s requirements, which was a challenging task right from the start.

Tell me about when you last had to leverage your conflict management skills.

As an executive in project, construction, and operational leadership, I faced a significant challenge in December 2022 when I requested the contractor to stay on schedule “at all costs.” However, there were no proper contractual agreements in place to define what “at all costs” meant. This lack of clarity led to a conflict management situation when the final bills from the electrical subcontractors came in over $400k higher than previously approved, and senior management was not willing to pay.

Over several weeks, I had to rely on my conflict management skills and experience to analyze, review, and negotiate a win/win situation for all parties involved. This required the implementation of extremely talented and productive conflict management drivers, which helped me to resolve the issue successfully. As an executive, it’s crucial to be well-versed in conflict management and negotiation techniques, as they are essential skills in the construction industry.

Give me a specific example of how you have empowered your staff to make independent decisions.

Empowering staff is essential for successful project management. During a year-end rush to complete over 15 stores between November and December, I empowered each Senior Construction Manager to work independently, bypassing the usual review process, and make decisions on specifications, change orders, and scheduling directly in the field. To ensure effective communication and collaboration, we held weekly meetings to address any potential surprises, while also fully delegating multiple project approval processes. This approach allowed us to complete the projects before the year-end deadline, with minimal delays and high-quality outcomes. Empowering staff not only builds trust and confidence in the team, but it also streamlines decision-making processes and ensures the best chance of project success.

How would you define success for someone in your chosen career?

Trust Trust Trust with peers, direct reports, and all associated team members.

When unforeseen obstacles to a project pop up, how do you handle them? Please give an example that illustrates this.

One specific example of handling unforeseen obstacles from my experience as a civil/site work construction manager when we unexpectedly discovered old underground tanks while working on the project site. We immediately conducted a thorough review of county and agency records to better understand the tanks’ origin and any potential hazards. Next, we performed a cost analysis to assess the financial impact of the discovery and analyzed the potential impact on the project timeline. We also prioritized the safety of our personnel and assessed overall risk to the organization before determining the best course of action. Despite this obstacle, we moved forward rapidly with a best-practice approach that ensured the project’s successful completion. This experience reinforced the importance of thorough planning, careful risk assessment, and quick decision-making when unexpected challenges arise on construction projects.

Describe both a long- and short-term goal you had in your most recent position.

I am honored to have been commended for a track record in promoting and developing personnel within my team. In the first two years of my leadership, I successfully promoted three out of eight direct reports, with all three achieving their goals and earning promotions. Additionally, I have a proven ability to tackle complex supply chain challenges, such as those related to HVAC systems. For example, I addressed supply chain horrors by establishing a pre-buy arrangement with Lennox for a 1-3 year supply of all typical units, guaranteeing 90-95% availability for all future years. My ability to identify and solve supply chain challenges, coupled with my dedication to developing talent, makes me the ideal candidate for the VP of construction management position.

What’s been your most rewarding team experience?

I am proud of my successful track record in building and leading high-performing teams. One of my most rewarding achievements was developing a cohesive East Coast Construction/Development Team, which included eight new members, all working together to achieve the success of over 20 new build locations annually. Notably, our team achieved this remarkable feat without a single safety issue, and we exceeded company expectations. I attribute our success to my effective leadership style, which prioritizes fostering trust and delegation amongst team members. As VP of construction management, I am confident in my ability to replicate such successes and lead teams toward exceptional outcomes.

Describe your experience adapting to an environment different from your own.

I have extensive experience thriving in challenging and diverse work environments, particularly in unionized government settings. I have excelled in situations where accountability is limited or non-existent and where high expectations and output are the norm. I possess exceptional adaptability skills, having worked in environments where typical business and personnel behavior require quick adaptation. I am confident in my ability to succeed in these types of environments and have a proven track record of delivering outstanding results.