EDUCATION • GOVERNMENT • HEALTHCARE/MEDICAL HOSPITALITY • MULTI FAMILY • PROFESSIONAL SPACES RELIGIOUS FACILITIES • RETAIL • TRANSPORTATION • AND MORE! Trusted Partner for Flooring Solutions in Texas Since 1974 Over 50 Years of Excellence (281) 598-6001 | 5510 Brittmoore Rd., Houston, TX 77041 | www.mekfloors.com 6CornerstoneSpring2026 agchouston.org S P O T L I G H T O N A N A G C H O U S T O N S T A N D O U T MEET A MEMBER What first inspired you to pursue a ca- reer in construction? My earliest inspiration came from watching my dad build the homes we lived in. He’s a veterinarian, but he general-contracted three of our family homes. I was always out there with him, swinging a hammer, helping frame and installing finishes. Between those weekends and being a LEGO-obsessed kid, I fell in love with taking something from nothing to a fin- ished space. That experience sparked my interest in construction. What was your first AGC Houston event, and why did you join? Jim Stevenson was my mentor at Bellows Construction and McCarthy Building Companies, and he’s always been deeply involved with AGC. Early on, he encouraged me to get involved with AGC Houston to build relationships with sub- contractors, peers and industry leaders. When I moved to Houston, he encour- aged a group of us to join the Construc- tion Leadership Council (CLC). Through CLC, I met people who are still colleagues and friends today. That early involvement showed me how powerful AGC’s network can be and kept me coming back. Can you share a story about a time you benefited from AGC Houston? The education and leadership programs have been huge for me. Years ago, a small group of us created a local lead- ership program through AGC Houston, bringing in mentors we respected to help shape it; that program was Leader- ship AGC, and being part of that first class was a defining experience. I also completed AGC Houston’s project management cohort. While the technical skills were valuable, the real benefit was the relationships. Many of those early-career connections now lead their own businesses. Today we share best practices and lessons learned, improving decisions and board-level conversations. During COVID, AGC Houston’s role was especially impactful. Board members and companies collaborated to ensure the construction industry was recognized as essential and shared best practices in real time. No one had to navigate that uncertainty alone. Did you always know you wanted to be in this industry? I started college as a pre-med major and quickly realized I was on the wrong path. After talking with friends in construction science, I switched majors. From there, I completed summer internships to confirm it was the right path. I fell in love with seeing a project move from concept to completion. I also loved that construction is a business where relationships are at the center of every- thing, and I’m passionate about building and developing those relationships. What was your first job in construc- tion? What did you learn? My first real internship was with Zachry Construction on a project in Sacramento. I expected to work behind a desk as a project engineer intern. Instead, I was placed in the field as a craft professional without knowing ahead of time what I was getting into. Luckily, I’d spent plenty of time around tools growing up, but it was still a bit of a shock. That summer was hard work — long days, a lot of sweat and a few blisters — but it fundamentally changed how I view our craft workforce. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for the skill, effort and pride that our craft professionals bring to every project. Who were some of your biggest in- fluences or mentors when starting your career? Jim Stevenson, my predecessor at McCar- thy and former Chairman of the Board at AGC, is passionate about AGC, C3 and our craft workforce. His desire to elevate others has inspired me to do the same. Additionally, while I was assigned to a hospital project in southern Missouri, a senior project engineer took me under his wing, answering every question, walking me through responsibilities and helping me navigate being away from home. We’re still close today. His willingness to invest in me shaped how I mentor others. How has the industry changed since you first started, and how have you adapted? Safety is the most noticeable shift. Early in my career, safety was often reactive. Preston Hodges Senior Vice President, Business Unit Leader at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
