Gray Site Managers Turn Plans into Progress

Nobody has greater insight into the inner workings of a construction site and how to stay safe and sound than a Gray site manager. To get a better sense of what a career in site management is all about, we spoke to several leaders on Gray sites across the country.

“If you’re willing to work hard, the opportunity is there,” says Brandon Ashley, former senior site manager. “I started with Gray in 1999 doing concrete work. When a new project opened up in Alabama a few years later, Gray asked if I would be willing to travel. I jumped at the chance. In 2022, I was promoted to leader, field operations, but I learned a lot during my time as a site manager.”

The role is one of the most demanding in the industry—handling simultaneous complex tasks, constant status updates, and shifting schedules are everyday fare—but it’s also one of the most rewarding.

“Travel and constant communication are just part of the job,” adds Jody Boden, a Gray site manager currently on a large data center project in Mississippi. Jody has been with Gray for five years focused on site management in the Mission Critical market. “I’m always on the move, and I easily get 100 emails and 50–60 phone calls a day.”

“At the end of a project, all the hard work pays off,” says Gray Site Manager Brandon Melson, who has been with Gray for nine years. “To see a finished facility and know that you were a part of it from the ground up is very gratifying.”

How would you define the responsibilities of a site manager?

Melson: You’re the name on the job; decisions are put onto your shoulders. You have to delegate responsibilities to the rest of your team members and follow up with them.

I started out as a field associate without much experience in the construction industry. I never realized how demanding site management could be; you have ownership of everything.

Boden: I manage all Gray team members on site and ensure that we provide a quality finished product for the customer that’s safe, on time, and under budget.

Ashley: There’s a lot of coordination and preliminary work, planning access into the facility for moving contractors around fluidly. A good site manager must be in communication with project managers and design managers, constantly making sure that the jobsite is run safely, and a quality product is being produced.

What does your role look like day to day?

Melson: I begin each day with a thorough walk of the site. This practice is essential for formulating an effective plan for my team, ensuring that we address key priorities such as safety, quality, and the critical hot schedule activities that are required for that day. By proactively identifying these elements, I can better structure our efforts and allocate resources effectively, thus contributing to the overall success of our projects.

Additionally, I place a strong emphasis on daily housekeeping and pre-planning for upcoming task.  By maintaining a clean and organized site and having pre planning to develop for future tasks.

Boden: Gray projects tend to follow a normal sequence. But you have to communicate on a regular basis, because schedules shift, and you need to be able to re-sequence tasks with everyone who’s affected.

Ashley: I would always start my day as the sun came up. That quiet time gave me the chance to walk the job and plan what’s coming up in the next few days, weeks, and months before I met with all my foremen at 6:30 a.m. to evaluate our plan of work and resolve potential subcontractor issues.

What do you like most about being a site manager?

Melson: I take pride in the responsibility and in helping my team members grow. It’s great to problem solve and see what we can achieve as a team in a fast-paced environment. It’s rewarding to look at a job well done.

Boden: You get to see everything happen on the project, from beginning to end. I also think mentoring the next generation and new team members at Gray is a very rewarding experience.

Ashley: My favorite is the team building across the design, construction, and customer teams. I’ve been lucky throughout my career to work with a lot of good people. Many of them have moved up into site management. Being able to mentor them as they grow is a nice way to give back.

What are the greatest challenges of the job?

Melson: One of the biggest challenges is meeting schedules with aggressive schedules, which requires communication at virtually every hour. For me, this constant contact took some adjustment.

Boden: We have to contend with rain delays, schedule pushes or changes, and equipment breaking down. In order to stay on track and overcome these challenges, constant communication is needed daily.

Ashley: Every day is a different challenge, but when I solved a problem, I felt like I accomplished something. I also enjoy seeing the mentorship of others as they progress through the company.

Why should somebody consider choosing site management as a career option for themselves?

Melson: It’s good to have camaraderie with your team members and to see a complex job come together. I enjoy building my knowledge with each new role and making sure we’re getting the quality execution we need.

Boden: If you like to be challenged, becoming a site manager is the right path for you. The process and end product are satisfying, and it feels good knowing that we’re sending people home safely each day.

There’s also room for growth. The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it, so everyone has a prime opportunity to climb the ladder. I wish I’d have found Gray 20 years ago instead of five!

Ashley: It’s entirely different from an office atmosphere. It’s great to see a site go from being absolutely bare to housing a multimillion- or billion-dollar facility. If you like that kind of work and the effort it takes to get there, it’s a great, well-paying career to pursue.

What differentiates Gray from others in the industry?

Melson: They’re like family. When issues have arisen, Gray has helped take care of my family—no questions asked. I’ve received calls from executive leadership to see if there was anything I needed or to show appreciation whenever I’ve had to work a holiday.

Boden: They’re family-oriented. You’re not just a number; you have a name. It’s different than working for a larger company. I think Gray has grown exponentially during my tenure here, but they maintain their culture of taking care of people.

Ashley: Our safety culture is top of the industry, bar none. I believe that wholeheartedly. We truly do live by our core values. I often interact with subcontractors coming from other companies that say the same thing about Gray’s safety culture. That reputation speaks volumes for what we are and how we treat people.

I often work with subs coming from other companies that say the same thing about Gray’s safety culture. That reputation speaks volumes for what we are and how we treat people.

What does it take to be a successful site manager?

Melson: You must be committed to keeping your team organized and motivated. I believe a cohesive and well-coordinated group is crucial for developing a successful project. My goal is to do everything to follow Gray core values.

Boden: As a leader, you have to provide opportunities for your team to learn and grow. I currently have two summer interns on site. We invest in them and show why Gray is a great company to work for by having them put pencil to paper, work with building plans, and learn through their mistakes. These aren’t opportunities that every company provides.

Ashley: When I first started, I felt like I needed to touch every single action item, but you have to put your trust in the people who are working with you. You’re going to get large, complex projects where it’s impossible for one person to hold all the knowledge and responsibility.

Beyond that, take pride in what you deliver to the customer. I’m proud to say that over 50% of my projects have been with repeat customers. It means a lot to have a customer that wants and expects to work with you again.