Japan native Hiro Okazaki joined Gray in April 2003 as our representative in Japan. Hiro ran the Japan Office for four years before moving to the United States in March 2007. Hiro is a first class licensed architect in Japan, watercolorist and a 3rd-dan kendōka practitioner of the martial art Kendo.

"For me, working at Gray can be described as going on an adventure. And I’m not saying this simply because I am a Japanese man working in an American company.

As an architect at a mega design-build general contractor in Japan, I was always interested in overseas projects. I actively sought out opportunities to work overseas. Then, one employment agency introduced me to Gray in 2002. When I learned about Gray, I knew right away that this was it — this was the company I was looking for. I wanted to work for a design-build contractor with extensive experience working for Japanese companies.

When I first met with Hideo Ito, who is now Gray’s executive vice president, japanese market, we immediately hit it off. Over the next several months, I communicated with Gray’s Japanese team members, learning about their values and interests, which I agreed with. Back then, Gray was looking for someone who could represent Gray in Japan, but Gray didn’t mention that opening to me because they knew I wanted to work in the United States. When I found out about the opening, it struck a chord with me and I wrote a lengthy proposal demonstrating how I would open and manage Gray’s Japan Office.

Every day was an adventure for me during the four years that I served as Gray’s Japan Office representative. Since I was thousands of miles away and 13 to 14 hours ahead of the rest of the team, every day was challenging. But we were able to secure a number of key projects by coordinating on both ends, in the U.S. and Japan.

I have worked in the United States since March 2007 as director, japanese project development. My role is to find project leads, develop the proposals, supervise project execution and assist in the development of the Japanese group's marketing strategies.

Gray has an atmosphere that is open to different cultures, recognizes the differences and integrates the best parts of those cultures. I am attracted to the uniqueness, versatility, progressiveness and challenging spirit.

Gray Construction is an American construction company, but it isn’t an ordinary American company, nor is it an ordinary construction company. It is a very unique, one-of-a-kind company.

If you believe in your great potential, if you are looking for great international challenges and if you possess a passion for great adventures, why don’t you knock on Gray’s door? I did, and my life has been changed forever."

Hiro Okazaki (second from right) is shown with his 2009 Steve Johnson Regional Tournament first place trophy and fellow Kendo practitioners.