Dale Carter made the switch from residential construction and development fifteen years ago, citing that the residential market was more cyclical and too emotionally based. Fifteen years later, it’s the people in the industry that have kept him in industrial real estate.
“There seems to be a more grounded cliental and subcontractor trade associated with this industry,” said Carter, senior project manager at Peak Construction. “The most rewarding part of my job is driving down the street, seeing a project I was associated with, and remembering the good and bad that I experienced through the process. I can show my family what I do and the results of my hard work. There is something more than a paycheck that goes with the job, meeting new people and making new friends.”
Carter noted that sometimes companies lose sight of the fact that they are trying to fulfill someone’s expectation when, sometimes, they don’t really know what they want, only what they don’t want. “At Peak, we are always trying to “do the right thing” – whether that’s helping our clients determine that a smaller project is what’s right for them or are able to find them savings during construction.”
Recently Peak finished the renovation of the Chicago Naperville Marriott hotel. “We finished on time, under budget, and then the hotel won Marriott International’s Hotel Opening of the Year 2012— out of two hundred entries, including two Ritz Carlton’s. The Easton-Bell Sports project in Rantoul being honored with an ENR Midwest’s 2014 Best Projects Award of Merit.”
A challenge that Carter faces in today’s market is keeping up with new technology and owners’ expectations—which goes hand in hand with the current trends he’s seen in the industry as of late.
“Projects seem to be moving faster and quicker than ever before,” he said. “We are transforming into an “instant-gratification” type of society; everyone wants everything NOW!”
How does he find the balance between work and the things that keep him sane? “You’re implying that I am sane?? There would be a line of people around the block all waiting to attest that I am certifiably insane.”
One thing he’d like to do, that he hasn’t already? “Take a week, or more, to hike and camp in Yosemite National Park.” If Carter wasn’t working in industrial real estate, what would he be doing? “I have no idea, probably starving. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Favorite music/movie? “I am as eclectic as they come with music. My iPod has everything from AC/DC to Andrea Botticelli.”
Thanksgiving plans? “Trout fishing in the White River in northern Missouri with my two brothers and nephew, and then having 30-40 relatives over on Thanksgiving Day.”
