25 Young Guns of the Construction Industry

August 1, 2001

An estimated 70 percent of construction firms are being taken over by a new generation of professionals. More and more young people are rising to upper-level management positions within these companies and paving the path for construction's future. This month, Heavy Equipment News recognizes 25 of this industry's up-and-coming professionals. Each of the 25 is under age 40 and holds a key position of leadership within his or her firm. How have these young professionals risen in their firms? What styles of leadership do they employ? Whether they lead by example or by coaching others to succeed, these 25 young guns are sure to impact the industry for many years to come.

Thomas P. Durels, 39, president of W & M Construction in Stamford, Connecticut, received a BSME at Lehigh University and has worked in the industry for 16 years. He is a member of the New York Real Estate Board and was awarded ACE Mentor of the Year 1999 (ACE is a mentorship program for young individuals interested in a career in construction). Durels started W & M Construction in 1990 in the depths of the real estate recession when its affiliate, W & M Properties, was having difficulty with general contractors completing work.. W & M Construction solved this problem with its productive, reliable focus on commercial interior work. Today W & M Construction is an industry leader with $30 mllion in annual revenue. "W & M Construction is a service company to our clients but also to other players involved with the construction cycle, which may include the landlord, architect, engineer and owner rep firm," explains. Durels. "We provide solutions to other people's problems … we strive to deliver the highest quality service and work."

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