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"We get a lot of
support here, but people are given enough room to do
what they do best, without being micro-managed. It’s
a huge asset." |
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Ken Jack
Superintendent |
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Say hello to...Mike McLaughlin
An interview with Commodore
Builders'
Senior Project Manager |
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Read My People Page |
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Mike McLaughlin’s roots are in construction. Since his grandparents’ generation, his family’s been in the business. He met his wife on a construction site and now his three young sons have enough Tonka trucks between them to start their own company.
Born and raised in Scituate, MA, Mike is the oldest of three children. He was building cities out of Legos before he was old enough to visit a jobsite. In high school he took drafting classes and worked for his uncle’s residential construction company.
Mike went to UMass, Amherst. He majored in Liberal Arts, but never lost his love for building. He planned to join the Navy and was accepted into Officer Candidate School, but 2 weeks before he was scheduled to leave, Mike decided to pursue his true passion. He joined his uncle’s business as a Superintendent/Project Manager.
Two years later Mike bumped into an old UMass buddy, Tom Keane, who worked for Turner. It wasn’t long before Mike did, too, hired as a superintendent. At the time, the two didn’t know that Mike would return the favor a few years later by introducing Tom Keane to Commodore.
The Peabody Essex Museum expansion still stands out in Mike’s recollection as one of the great projects he worked on while at Turner. He was on-site for three years and one of those mornings he advised a museum employee to move her car so that she wouldn’t be boxed in by the demolition trucks. She was extremely appreciative. The next night, the two went for a drink. The next year, Amy and Mike were married and now live in New Hampshire with their 3 sons. The construction dynasty continues.
After five years at Turner, Mike was ready for a smaller company environment. A mutual friend put Mike in touch with Andy Fraser, a founding principal of Commodore who once led Turner’s Suburban SPD unit. The two met and connected instantly.
In 2003, Mike joined Commodore. |
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What interested you about joining a smaller company?
I always knew I wanted to be in construction…that is, if I didn’t make it as a pro-baseball player. But I wanted to experience all aspects of a project, from initial estimates and walkthroughs to on-site work, solving complex problems in the field. I knew in a smaller company I would have more diverse responsibilities day-to-day and more exposure to clients and all aspects of project management.
What attracted you to Commodore?
On my first day here, Commodore had been in business for 6 months. There were fewer than fifteen people here. It was my chance to get in on the ground floor. Since then, I’ve contributed directly to the company’s growth. I liked the atmosphere immediately. It felt like a family and that felt good. Every guy I knew at Turner had told me Andy was a class-act. I didn’t know as much about Joe, but two weeks after I started, I got a hand-written card from him on my birthday. It meant a lot to me…and I’ve gotten a card every year since then. It’s that personal touch and connection - the family environment that drew me to Commodore and keeps me here.
How has your role evolved since you started at Commodore?
I began as a Superintendent. Salem Five was my first client. We’ve done over 25 projects with the bank since then. I knew I eventually wanted to be a Project Manager and after two years here as a Super and seven years overall in the business, I felt it was time to make the transition to Project Manager. I was ready for a new challenge, working with design teams, owner’s reps, clients and our own team. Commodore welcomed my ambition and had the flexibility to let me take a different path, to grow and become a strong Project Manager.
What will challenge you in your new role as Senior Project Manager?
My biggest challenge is to expand my sphere of influence in the marketplace. I’m developing more industry relationships and a network of partners and clients that will attract work over time. I’ll be developing client relationships, moving more into the revenue stream of the company. I’ll be managing multiple teams, helping them to develop their skills. I’ll be taking more of a leadership role within the firm at the same time that I’m managing more complex projects. The people-side of this business is exciting and I have a lot of room for learning.
What are you looking forward to in your new role?
I enjoy sharing my experiences with younger people who are just getting into the business. I want to impart what I’ve learned first-hand, so as a company we learn from each other and don’t repeat mistakes. I want to teach them techniques and strategies that will help their personal and professional development and benefit the company. I love watching some of the assistant project managers I work with getting close to being project managers themselves. Their success is exciting.
Who has influenced you most in your career?
There was a field guy at Turner who really taught me how to be a builder. Now, I aspire to having the same positive outlook that Andy Fraser has. He always looks at the glass half-full. I’ve seen in the past how negativity can affect the overall outcome of a project. And I’ve learned from working with Andy that a positive attitude can have a tremendous impact on a project and on your team.
What is your proudest achievement to date?
I’m proud of my family. My whole life changed when we had kids. It’s the most humbling experience you can imagine. I look at everything differently now - the emotions of having a child are amazing.
What makes you happy?
Being on a beach with Amy, Owen, Liam, and Collin. Playing with the kids in the driveway. They love to have big-wheels races. Of course my boys love construction equipment. We’ve got an entire heavy civil construction division in my house. I’m a sports nut. I love watching sports with my family and I try to get out on the golf course at least a few times a year.
For the first time in my professional career, I’m thrilled with my job. It’s taken me over ten years to be able to say that, but I’m exactly where I want to be right now. I’m happy. I really like working with the younger guys, helping them learn the business. Sometimes It feels more like we’re hanging out than working, but we’re doing significant things every day that are contributing to individual lives and to our company’s success.
And another thing that makes me happy is a Red Sox game.
What are you going to do that you haven’t done yet?
Run a marathon…make the BBJ’s 40 Under 40…become a project executive.
If you could be someone else for one day, who would you be?
Bill Parcels. No matter what he’s done, he’s been successful. I’m fascinated by his management technique. He’s a true leader…something I aspire to be…maybe just a little less cantankerous.
If your biography was written today, what would the title be?
Unfinished Business.
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| "Thanks to your team for building out the 21st floor at 260 Franklin Street. The Acadian Asset Management project had a difficult schedule. But your team worked hard to ensure the continuity and success of the project. It is because of their determination, organizational skills and competency that the project came to a successful completion." |
Kara Twomey
President
KAT Consulting |
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| "I feel compelled to send you a note regarding the outstanding performance of the Commodore team on the Arrowstreet project. The last week of the project was intense to say the least, yet your team remained focused. No one blinked. No one got weak in the knees and as a result, you pulled off one of the best projects that you will most likely do all year." |
Dick Dowling
Development Services
Shermen Group |
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Shermen Group
Website
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"The Stata basement project had a very tight schedule and there were a number of challenges. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude toward a job well done. Rob, Mike and Shawn did an excellent job in managing the schedule and cost of this project. The end-user is very happy with the results, as is MIT. We look forward to working with you in the future. Thank You."
Evan J. Koska
Project Manager
MIT Department of Facilities
MIT Department of Facilities
Website
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