Sai Uppalapati is a project director with GI Stone, a Chicago-based supplier, fabricator and installer of stone for a roster of iconic projects such as The St. Regis Chicago Hotel, Salesforce Tower, Embry, Tribune Tower Residences and the Obama Presidential Center.
Among his many responsibilities, Uppalapati oversees the firm’s bidding activity, project management and spearheads relationships with suppliers, clients and tradespeople. He also leads the expansion of GI Stone’s business into new markets and played a key role in establishing GI Stone’s new luxury residential practice area, opening an entirely new revenue stream for the firm.
His efforts have generated a significant increase in GI Stone’s revenue and profit margins. Here is a look at his career so far, and his future goals.
Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school?
Sai Uppalapati: I grew up in Vijayawada, a small city in southern India at that time, in a family of filmmakers. Although I was surrounded by creativity, I chose to pursue engineering because it offered a broad range of opportunities and potential career paths. I completed a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and later moved to New York City, where I earned a Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Energy management from the New York Institute of Technology. I graduated in 2016 and soon accepted a job with GI Stone as a project coordinator.
How did you get your start in the industry?
Uppalapati: I joined GI Stone in 2016 and quickly discovered that commercial real estate was a strong fit for my skills and interests. Starting as a project coordinator, I’ve steadily advanced through the ranks—first to project manager and now to project director. In my current role, I lead the firm’s bidding operations and project management efforts, while also overseeing the sourcing, fabrication, and installation of interior and exterior stone for our predominantly high-profile commercial projects.
Did you have a mentor who helped you get on your feet, or is there someone you turn to now for support?
Uppalapati: GI Stone’s President Sandya Dandamudi has been a great mentor to me. She is supportive while demanding excellence, always encouraging me to take on new responsibilities and pursue opportunities that showcase GI Stone’s capabilities and my knowledge, such as attending conferences and being on panels. This makes me and my fellow GI Stone employees feel like we have a real stake in the business. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, which is incredibly stimulating.
What does an average day at work look like?
Uppalapati: Every day at GI Stone is different, but an average day may consist of a touring potential or ongoing projects; preparing bids for new projects; visiting quarries throughout North America and overseas in search of higher-quality, lower-cost materials; mentoring new employees; overseeing fabrications/installations; reviewing new software to improve efficiencies and save time as well as money; and implementing new technologies, both software and hardware, to decrease GI Stone’s carbon footprint – whether it’s by cutting waste, reducing our water consumption or improving air quality in our workshop. I’m also communicating with partners, vendors and fellow employees about a wide variety of issues throughout the day.
What do you like most about your job?
Uppalapati: My favorite part of the job is the ability to make a difference by helping our employees reach their full potential, making things more efficient and reducing our impact on the environment. That’s only possible because I have Sandya Dandamudi’s trust and support. Recently I am enjoying exploration of new business verticals such as supply of natural stone, sintered stone in various markets.
Looking to the future, what do you hope to work on/achieve that you haven’t already?
Uppalapati: Looking ahead, I’m focused on expanding our footprint in the material supply industry by embracing more sustainable and innovative materials. Sustainability isn’t just a trend — it’s a responsibility, and I want to be at the forefront of that shift. I also see significant opportunity in growing our operations beyond the U.S., tapping into global markets where our solutions can make a real difference. Domestically, I’m particularly excited about deepening our presence in the Nashville market, which I believe holds tremendous potential for growth and community impact. Ultimately, my goal is to build a business that’s not only successful but also forward-thinking and globally relevant.
How do you spend your time away from the office?
Uppalapati: When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me enjoying my 9-month-old son, Yash, or planning our next getaway with my wife—we love to travel and make the most of our time together. Growing up in Vijayawada, movies were practically a way of life, and that hasn’t changed one bit, after all, I am a Vijayawada boy!
I still love catching a good film whenever I can. I’m also a die-hard cricket fan—whether I’m playing in local matches or glued to the screen cheering on my favorite teams, cricket is my go-to escape.
