Colby LeClaire, Vice President of Northway Construction Mountain Division, Leads Team to Meet the Needs of Utah Construction Projects
For Colby LeClaire, Vice President of Northway Construction Mountain Division, every day is different, and every day is busy. For him, that keeps things interesting, but his biggest responsibility is balancing and prioritizing the most critical tasks for the Utah firm first.
Each day is a constant mix of problem-solving, key decision-making, company leadership, and keeping both Utah projects and people moving. “Looking to the future is always on the front of my mind as well,” he shares. For him, that means focusing on Utah client relationships and positioning the company for future growth.
Client Success the Northway Construction Way
“Our clients all share one similarity,” Colby shares. Put simply, Northway Utah’s construction clients are investing in building and real estate to support their company goals and objectives. This is inherently stressful and risky, and Northway Construction Mountain Division sets out to reduce pressure where possible. By simplifying the construction process for each client and tackling the stresses of managing a construction project directly, clients don’t have to worry about day-to-day issues. “It frees them up to focus on what they do best, and that is managing their business!” Colby says.
This idea ties in with Colby’s tried and true motto: When you take care of the customer, business will take care of itself. He’s found that when you truly look out for client interests and deliver an exceptional building experience, positive referrals and repeat clients become a reliable boon.
Overcoming Challenges Through Innovative Utah Construction Processes
Construction—and leading construction—is fulfilling even at its hardest moments for Colby, though it might only be obvious in retrospect. “The projects that I look back on most often tend to be the ones that had the most challenges during construction,” he says. If anyone were to ask him during construction if those were his favorite projects, he would answer with a firm “no.” But, for him, once he and his Mountain Division team are out of the heat of the moment and have had time to reflect, it’s those exact projects that prove to be the most rewarding. “We were able to come together as a team, find innovative solutions to problems, and overcome challenges,” he says, and that leaves an impression.
An example of this was when Northway Construction had to build a convenience store on top of a community dumpsite. “We found all sorts of unexpected surprises during the earthwork portion of that project,” he recalls. The team had to come up with unique solutions to address each unpredictable portion.
When it comes to every day inspiration, however, Colby points to Northway Construction Mountain Division employees and their families. The opportunities that come to them as the Utah company continues to flourish and grow is a big motivator. “Likewise,” he adds, “being able to turn over a project to an owner and see their excitement and enthusiasm for their new space makes all the hard work worth it!”
Smart Solutions for Complex Construction Challenges
A key Northway Construction Mountain Division practice is to focus on solutions. Colby advises all his superintendents in Utah to never to send in an RFI unless it has a recommended solution. “When this is the mindset, we are constantly looking for innovative solutions as projects progress and challenges arise,” he explains.
On one occasion, a project had to be built on an old fuel station site that had a low water table. This posed two major issues: water was constantly flooding Northway’s excavations, and the water was contaminated with old oil and gas from the years the site was used as a gas station.
In order to solve the issue, Northway Construction had to employ intricate dewatering techniques, placing the contaminated water into large holding tanks that were then disposed of as hazardous material. That wasn’t enough to build safely on the site, however. Northway then tilled cement into the onsite soils to help solidify the earth for sufficient support. Through these key solutions, Northway Construction was able to provide a foundation that would support both the building and parking lot’s loads.
It’s typical to encounter challenges during construction, but thoughtful and innovative solutions—and a positive, communicative experience during delivery—helps it all come together.
Off-site Enjoyments
When Colby isn’t working, he loves to watch college football in the fall (“Go Cougs!” he says!), working in the yard, doing home projects, and, most importantly, spending quality time with his wife and kids.