Construction Manager at The O’Dell Group

Walk us through a typical day in the field.

Usually I start my day in the office to get ready for the day and review anything that has come up from the night before. Once onsite I meet with all of the different trades and review what the days plan is and what our next goals are. This happens at each of the jobs I am working on. During the drive between jobsites I try to make some phones calls. Calls to coordinate next steps, ask and get questions answered and order material. Often throughout the day problems will arise and I will have to go back to the site to see what is going on. Sometimes we can figure out the problem through the blueprints and other times we have to call others to get more information.

What's the coolest project you're working on right now?

I like most of the projects we are working on. Its nice to go to work on someone’s house and know we are either making their family home “theirs” or improving the property to better suit their needs. Right now 38 Washington is a fun project, due to a couple changes that have been made, and that it’s an older home. Working with older homes can be challenging because there can be a lot of surprises behind the walls. There is also something fun about completely transforming an old house into a new, more efficient house.

Best part about being part of The ODG team?

We are a family. Some of us have deep roots to the community and have know each other for years. I used to swing a hammer with Chris and Rudy when I was 12 years old. Brian used to live around the corner from me growing up. Every member of our team has become family to one another. Even a lot of our sub contractors and customers have become Family to us.

Do you have a mentor or role model in the industry?

Chris. I have known Chris O’Dell since I was 12 years old when we both worked for a local Contractor. I have seen him over the years grow as a person and a contractor. Every year progressing further and further. It has been a great please to watch and learn from him as this Company keeps growing and developing.

What's the furthest or favorite city outside of Connecticut you've ever traveled to?

Majorca, Spain

What is one piece of advice you would like to tell your younger self when you just started working at ODG?

Focus on the little things.

What is the most memorable ODG project you've completed and why?

North Ave Cottage. It was an original barn that may have been built sometimes in the late 1800’s and remodeled multiple different times since then. On this project we build a completely new home inside of an old structure. We dug out a new foundation while leaving the existing structure as it was. We were also able to bring anew modern twist to the space while keeping some of the original looks and feels of the pre 1900’s construction. Everyday on site was a new adventure of how to make the old work for the new space.

Pick one: Written calendar or online calendar? Tell us how you stay organized.

Online calendar. It is so easy to set notes and reminders, as well as set out your coming week.

Name a few completed projects you've managed.

250 North Ave, 32 ST johns, 11 Rustic, 32 Weston Road, 4 Warnock, 7 Country Road, 11 Ivanhoe, 131 Sturges Highway, 19 Spriteview, 119 Old Road.