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4 helps to guide the direction that the organization is going. Effective leaders need to have leadership agility – a big pic- ture understanding combined with the ability to hone in on smaller details with a quick turnaround time when needed. Q&A, from page 3 “We employ the best people and we stay ahead of the curve. We outperform our competitors by always positioning the firm in a spot where we feel that the next new thing in the construction industry is going to come up.” TZL: What has been your greatest challenge to date and how did you deal with it? ME: The recession. We basically took a look at our company and went back to the basics. We focused on hitting our rev- enue targets, building our backlog of work, and developing staff. TZL: What is your vision for the future of HEA? ME: Maintaining our solid reputation as a niche business in the construction industry and managing a healthy and sus- tainable growth pattern. TZL: How have you seen the company evolve? ME: I’ve seen all the ups and downs. HEA has gone from a five-person firm to a 110-person firm, then down to 60, and now at a healthy 85-person firm. Today, we are more focused on profitability where in the beginning we were fo- cused on growth. Moving forward, I believe this shift has created a more solid foundation for the company. TZL: Tell me about a recent project you are especially proud of and why. ME: The National September 11 Memorial and Museum, and the Battery Park condominium projects. The Solaire project was used as a first responder location. So, the sig- nificance of 9/11 has always had a soft spot for me and the company. In 2002, we were one of the first firms to move back into downtown NYC (the Financial District). Being in- volved in a project like the Memorial and Museum had a sig- nificant impact because of the many lives that were lost and because we were so instantly affected by it. TZL: How have you helped your firm to outperform some competitors? What do you feel sets you apart? ME: Without a doubt, it has to do with our people. We em- ploy the best people and we stay ahead of the curve. We out- perform our competitors by always positioning the firm in a spot where we feel that the next new thing in the construc- tion industry is going to come up. HEA is also a certified

commissioning firm. This certification demonstrates the highest standards for a professional commissioning firm which makes HEA stand out amongst its competitors. TZL: Is there any news you care to share about HEA? ME: We recently celebrated our 20-year anniversary and launched our building enclosure group that will address ex- terior wall and envelope commissioning. We’re also proud to be working on the largest construction project we have ever been involved in – the new New York Tappan Zee Bridge, a $4 billion construction project. TZL: Are you married? Do you have children? Pets? ME: I am married with three children (Brittany 20, Jessi- ca 17, and Michael 12). We have a Golden Retriever named Duke. TZL: What’s one thing most people at the firm don’t know about you? ME: I’m an awesome cook. TZL: What’s the last book you read? ME: A hard copy of American Sniper . TZL: What’s the last movie you saw in the theater? ME: Batman vs. Superman . TZL: What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever gotten? ME: Hire slowly, fire quickly. TZL Who is a leader you admire? Why? ME: Abraham Lincoln. He was able to take his ideas and be- liefs and institute change across a mass audience despite all the push back. TZL: When you’re not working, what types of activities do you enjoy? ME: Watching my kids play sports. Jessica plays lacrosse and Michael plays ice hockey. TZL: What is your favorite lunch? ME: Fish tacos. “Today, we are more focused on profitability where in the beginning we were focused on growth. Moving forward, I believe this shift has created a more solid foundation for the company.”

TALK TO US Do you have an interesting story to tell? Is your company doing things differently and getting results? Let us know. We’d love to contact you and feature you in an upcoming case study. If interested, please email rmassey@zweiggroup.com.

THE ZWEIG LETTER June 20, 2016, ISSUE 1157

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