At Alston Construction, we believe in fostering growth, providing opportunities, and developing a supportive environment for our employees. July 25 is National Intern Day, which gives us a great opportunity to celebrate the incredible journeys of our former interns who have transitioned into full-time roles within our company. Their stories of growth, dedication, and success are a testament to the strength of our team and the future of our industry.
Project Director Keith Lanza: The Power of Networking
Keith Lanza’s path to Alston Construction was unexpected. “Years after graduating with a Journalism degree, I decided to pursue a second degree in Civil Engineering Technology,” Keith recalled. A chance encounter during lunch with his father’s coworker led to his resume landing at Alston. “I hadn’t heard of Alston at the time, as my intention was to go the design route. But any networking/experience I could get, I welcomed.” After meeting with Senior Vice President/Regional Manager Bob Murray, Keith was hired as an intern quickly after. His hard work during summer and winter breaks paid off, and he was hired as a full-time Project Engineer after graduation.
Preconstruction Director Andrew Gardner: Embracing Responsibility
Andrew Gardner’s journey at Alston Construction began with an internship while attending the University of Houston. Reflecting on his experience, he shared, “Alston has given me continuous opportunity to take on more responsibility.” Andrew’s commitment and eagerness to learn quickly earned him more significant roles within the company. Today, he continues to thrive, consistently contributing to our preconstruction efforts and success.
Assistant Project Manager Dylan Ruiz: Encouraging Collaboration
Dylan Ruiz found his passion for collaboration during his Alston Construction tenure. “I’ve learned how best to work with others, finding that I enjoy taking the workload off of others, and helping them to the best of my ability,” Dylan said. The supportive environment at Alston made a significant impact on him. “Being part of a team that cares is a great feeling, and that’s one of the driving forces for why I want to work harder each day.”
Senior Preconstruction Coordinator William Rivera: Absorbing Knowledge
For William Rivera, the key to success was absorbing as much information as possible. “Advice I would give to someone is to soak in as much information as you can. Even if it feels overwhelming at times, ask questions when you need to,” William advised. His willingness to learn has been instrumental in his growth at Alston. Today, he continues to apply this approach, contributing significantly to our projects.
Senior Project Manager Frank Gonzalez: Building Strong Teams
Frank Gonzalez’s experience at Alston has been characterized by rapid learning and teamwork. “The operations team puts us on a fast-track to learn so that we can develop and move up within the company,” Frank explained. Paired with great teammates, Frank has not only learned from his experiences but also helped create strong, cohesive teams. His journey from intern to a full-time role has been marked by growth and support.
Project Director Isaac Dye: Principles for Success
Isaac Dye’s guiding principles shaped his journey at Alston Construction. “Three principles that guide my life: Work hard, be honest, and pay attention to detail. And a few others, like be kind to others and be humble,” Isaac shared. His dedication to these values has made him a respected and integral part of our team. “Do these things, and the rest just seems to fall into place. Oh, and by the way, construction is a crazy business, so brace yourself.”
Project Manager Antonio Fidacaro: Support for Growth
Alston Construction has played a pivotal role in Antonio Fidacaro’s professional development. “Alston has helped to support my growth by helping to get me involved in organizations like the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, for example,” Antonio said. His involvement led to earning a certification from the American Concrete Institute as a Tilt-Up Concrete Technician. Antonio’s journey from intern to Project Manager highlights our supportive and growth-oriented environment at Alston.
Our former interns’ success stories reflect the core values and culture at Alston Construction. We are proud to have been part of their journeys and look forward to celebrating many more National Intern Days with future interns who will continue to shape the future of our industry.