Seth Cook
Project executive, Calhoun Construction Services
Years in current job: three
Years in the construction industry: 24
What do you like most about working in the construction industry?
Being able to lead and teach the next generation in our industry. My main roles with Calhoun are that of leading, teaching, training and, most importantly, developing our younger staff to excel in their careers. The passion I have for my projects and my teams make coming to work something I truly enjoy.
What’s the most exciting thing happening in the industry right now?
I love big projects and having a dedicated management team assigned to them. Right now, there are a good number of large projects taking place (or getting ready to take place) in our region, and with these types of projects, owners, stakeholders and design teams are using the construction manager (CM) delivery method more and more. This approach allows for the CM team to be involved significantly earlier in a project’s lifecycle to address and improve constructability, planning, streamlining communications, enhancing cost control and ensuring a smoother, more efficient and cost-effective process.
What project are you most proud of?
I must break this out into two parts. My proudest completed project is the First Turn Club at the historic Churchill Downs Racetrack. It was such a unique build for the property with the environment and surroundings being like no other. My soon-to-be proudest project is just getting started — the new exhibit hall wings at the Kentucky Exposition Center. It will truly be something special all of Kentucky can and will benefit from.
How do you manage risks like fluctuating material costs?
Drink more bourbon. Just kidding, sort of. There is not a single approach to mitigating the risk of fluctuating material costs or tariffs that suffice across all sectors. Something that we have been successful with recently is getting creative while sourcing scarce or high-impact fluctuating materials. This could mean using a non-name brand supplier, alternate logistics firms, pre-purchasing risky materials and, of course, locking in costs contractually early on.
How is the labor pool for construction — how do you adapt to that?
Our region has seen swings over the last few years. Post-Covid until about nine to12 months ago, quality labor was difficult to secure. Adaptation to that meant a lot of longer days and weekends for field crews. More recently, the pool is filling with the winding down of some massive projects just out of town and some market shifts for the bourbon industry.
How do you approach a complex problem or situation?
BLUF — establish the bottom line up front. In my previous life, I spent years traveling to Army bases doing health care construction for the military and Corps of Engineers. During that time, I learned a lot about policies and procedures. One of those procedures was a communication practice of identifying end goals or desired results up front. This allows for broader alignment and helps encourage speed and clarity in situations, problem solving and dispute resolution.
What’s a lesson you learned early in your career that you’d like to pass along to the next generation in the industry?
Communication is king. The trend we are seeing with the younger professionals entering the industry is that they lack certain communication skills. They are either too timid to speak with confidence, to speak with authority or to speak without fear. We train and put these staff members in positions to help build their confidence and knowledge on the subject matter. Sometimes, this leads to them being put outside of their comfort zones and in repeat scenarios to help master key communication barriers.
Does AI and automation have a role in the industry?
For sure. We have already seen AI and automation (and have for a while) in our software and management technology packages, as well as robotics used for precise layout. They are used heavily early on in a project life cycle (design, manufacturing, logistics, etc.). However, there is a fine line that is drawn when materials hit a jobsite, and someone must physically do the work. I’m not sure how it will translate down to the boots on the ground, men and women in the field.