Cafecito con Antonio Cruz
Cafecito Con Antonio Cruz
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
What is the focus of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company?
The focus of Whiting-Turner is to provide general construction management services for projects on any scale (large and small). Our mission is to build on our reputation for integrity, excellence, experience, and leadership to provide these general construction services. We are always looking to continuously improve what we do, exceed client expectations, and maintain our dedication to the highest moral principles.
Why did you decide to join The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company?
I decided to join Whiting-Turner mostly because of how well their employees are challenged and encouraged to achieve career goals. In addition to this, when I graduated from college at Ohio State University back in 2008, the recession was right in its prime. There was little to no work in Ohio, where I am from, and Whiting-Turner happened to have an opening. That says a lot about a company that is still able to hire during a recession.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from being a business owner or in your current position?
The most important lesson I have learned is never to get comfortable. This is when certain opportunities can be lost. It’s always good to seek different opportunities, get yourself in situations that you may not be familiar with, join networking organizations, meet new people, get more education, etc. Always stay active in business and in life. It’s only going to make you better. Regarding working with clients, they enjoy seeing managers looking to improve schedules, deliver work under budgets, and deliver items with the utmost attention to detail.
Why did you choose Maryland as the place in which to do business?
This ties into the second question I answered. I graduated from my undergrad in 2008 from Ohio State University right in the middle of the recession. Whiting-Turner had an opportunity available and I took it. It has been one of the best decisions of life. I was able to meet my now wife here, further my education and obtain an MBA from the University of Baltimore, get opportunities in running interesting projects for Whiting-Turner, etc. It has been a very good choice in my life.
What has this year been like?
Overall, we have seen the Baltimore construction market slow down, especially compared to Washington, DC, which seems like it is booming. This has been a factor on where a lot of the work we are bidding is south of Baltimore in and around DC. We are hopeful as a company that more construction opportunities become available in and around Baltimore. The Opportunity Zone program may be able to facilitate this process.
If you had to go back and do it again…would you? What would you change?
I honestly don’t think I would. If anything, I would’ve tried to do some sort of study abroad during college to be able to experience a different country and culture for longer than a week-long vacation. That said, I’ve always wanted to get into construction since I was a young kid. As I grew older, I became more interested in architecture, engineering, and business, and construction management was a great opportunity to combine those areas since I see and deal with much of that every day. Also, as far a coming out to Maryland from Ohio, I wouldn’t change that for anything. I was able to meet my wife here and begin growing a family, while working for an exceptional institution in Whiting-Turner.
What business and leadership advice can you give our members?
Again, always stay active, do not get comfortable. Try to always improve. If there is something
you feel you have mastered, find something else to master. It’s only going to make you better or
well-rounded in the end.
Bachata, Merengue or Salsa?
My grandmother’s favorite is merengue, so I would go with that.
What is your favorite Spanish Word?
Miércoles (Wednesday)… It’s a fun word to say.
Café con leche y azúcar or black?
I always drink my coffee with one splenda and one creamer. If I’m drinking black coffee, you know I must be in a stressful situation.