11 Sep GGInsights: Q&A with Chris Powell
GGInsights: Q&A with Superintendent Chris Powell
Chris Powell joined Gillis Gilkerson as Superintendent in October of 2023. Chris came to the company with more than 25 years of experience running his family’s construction business, originally founded by his father, gaining expertise in residential construction, remodeling and light commercial construction. While Chris enjoys all aspects of construction projects, he is particularly passionate about woodworking and wood framing techniques. Chris has the ability to drive projects forward, while maintaining the highest degree of quality and communication. In his free time, he has enjoyed volunteering with his son’s little league and is now volunteering as a coach for the newly formed North Dorchester High School Clay Target Team. He also enjoys spending time on the water and has held a USCG Master Captain’s License for over twenty years.
We wanted to highlight Chris, to celebrate his success at Gillis Gilkerson. Chris was a good sport and participated in a light-hearted Q&A.
Q&A Questions:
In a nutshell, how would you describe your role as Superintendent?
My role as a Superintendent is to make every project succeed to the best of my ability. But what is the measure of success? Construction projects certainly should be delivered on time and on budget, but that’s not the entire picture. Job sites also need to be safe, the work needs to be high-quality, and communication between subcontractors, team members and project stakeholders needs to be clear and effective. That’s the total picture.
How do you approach managing and coordinating projects? Any strategies that you find most effective?
A successfully managed job site, that is on-time, on-budget, safe, high-quality and has clear communication – like I mentioned above – creates the kind of environment where you can do the work, do it well, and have a good time working with the people on-site working alongside you. A successfully managed job site is usually an enjoyable job site as well. It’s a place where you can build relationships, have fun and create work that you are proud of. The best construction superintendents work hard to protect the atmospheres of their jobs, getting ahead of disagreements, or sources of tension. Respectful jobs are a natural environment for quality work.
What initially drew you to the construction industry? How did you gain hands-on experience?
My father owned a construction company, so I really didn’t have a choice but to get involved. I was brought up in the industry. By the time I was 16 years old, I was running construction crews over summer break. I was fortunate to be mentored by Bryan Hubbard, who worked for my father, and a good friend of mine. He took me under his wing, taught me skills and really made me the construction professional I am today.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
For me, the most rewarding part is always finishing up a job and turning it over to the customer. That is always a special moment. You get to step back and see the end-result of all the hard work that went into creating something and hand it to the people who will put the space to good use.
Any recent projects that you have found particularly interesting or memorable?
The Freeman Arts Pavilion was one of the most memorable jobs I have ever been a part of. It was great being part of that team, working hard to make sure everything was complete and delivered in time to have them up and running for the show season to start. That was probably a once in a lifetime project. It was a push to the finish, and it felt so great crossing the finish line.
The Reese Apartments was also a memorable project, just from the people I met along the way. It was rewarding to know we were creating a place that so many hardworking and deserving people can now call home. I got to know several of the residents as the project wrapped up. Everyone was so grateful for the opportunity to live in such a nice and affordable place.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a construction superintendent?
Attitude is everything! I really enjoy the Superintendent role, but it can be stressful at times. The key is to not let it get to you. Things happen. There is always an answer and a fix to every problem.
How do you see the role of technology changing in the construction industry?
Technology has changed dramatically since my early days working in my family’s business. Back then we didn’t have iPads, construction management software, electronic schedules– none of it – not even Wi-Fi! Sure, it was a learning curve to initially adopt the process, but having these tools makes the job so much easier. I am sure it will keep changing even more.
Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies or interests?
Outside of work I love staying active with fishing and hunting. Fishing is my biggest hobby. I have my own light tackle charter boat that I also use for fun with family and friends. I love taking my son out fishing. I also run an Inspected Vessel out of Tilghman Island for Working Girl Charters, owned by my friend Shannon Pickens, taking clients out on the bay. If we don’t have any charters, we are still out there chasing fish. We do everything from wreck fishing to chasing tuna, tile fishing and chasing reds, cobia and rockfish! For the last 11 years, I have also helped Brett Dean host one of the largest one-day rockfish tournaments on the East Coast, called Rock the Choptank, out of Cambridge, Maryland. This year we could have as many as 130 boats registered for the event on October, 24, 2026.
I also love duck and goose hunting and shooting sporting clays. I enjoy it even more now that my son absolutely loves it too. We have a solid core group of about seven guys that shoot clays together as much as possible, and I love bringing home trophies from clay events.
Tell us about the North Dorchester Clay Target Team? How did you get involved?
This is a new thing for North Dorchester High School that I am really excited about. The idea was brought to me by one of my wife’s co-workers who was involved with trying to get the concept off the ground for North Dorchester students. She knew how much I enjoy shooting and how much I take pride in it. Our sons often shoot together. She approached me with the idea, and I immediately signed on to help. Right now, we are in the set-up stages, with a mock-run this fall, and a practice season over winter so that this spring we can come out of the gate with a good team. There are more than a dozen other high schools in Maryland that already have Clay Target Teams that we can compete against. The North Dorchester High School team will be the 6th team on the Eastern Shore. Hunting and outdoor sports are such a big part of everyday life for so many families in the area, it’s a natural fit for our kids. It’s a great way for them to learn good sportsmanship, gun safety and have another avenue outside of traditional athletics for our kids to compete. I can’t wait to get started.