Training New Leaders: Q&A with Project Executive Chris Schoderbek
After more than 60 years in business, Gray has learned that in order to continue being successful, the current generation’s leaders must train up the next generation of leaders. At Gray, we are fortunate to not only have great minds in place leading our teams now, but also emerging leaders who will one day help push the company to new heights. We spoke with Chris Schoderbek, project executive at Gray’s South Atlantic Office, about his role in training the new leaders, being a part of the Gray family, and the best part of living and working in Charlotte.
Can you tell us what your normal workday or “day in the life” is like?
“A normal day for me starts with me getting to the office around 7:00 a.m. and spending the morning working through anything that came up overnight. Then, I spend the remainder of the day working with our project teams on the active proposals or helping them plan and execute our active projects.”
What do you enjoy most about your work?
“The best part of my job is working with our young and new team members; helping them understand the “Gray Way,” being a sounding board for them, and watching them succeed.”
What do you like most about the South Atlantic Office?
“There are two things that are great about our office: our people and its location. We have people with such diverse backgrounds and experiences that we get to work with. It makes every day of work enjoyable. With our office being in uptown Charlotte, it’s great to be in the heart of the city. We are so close to everything, and we have the ability to walk to lunch, dinner, and any of the awesome events happening in the city.”
What has been the most memorable experience with Gray since you started?
“My first trip to Europe to help win the Minghua project. I had the opportunity to be a part of the negotiations with the customer and then, later, we finished negotiating the terms of the contract from the lobby of a hotel on a conference call.”
In one word or phrase, how would you describe Gray?
“Family.”
If someone were visiting the Charlotte area, what would you recommend to them as a “must-do?”
“There are so many great sites and scenes, such as Bank of America Stadium, Lake Norman or Wylie, but the Whitewater Center is a one-of-a-kind attraction and definitely worth a visit.”
If you would like to learn more about joining the Gray family, please visit gray.com/careers.
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