Knowify

We end our posts with our interview with Chris Jordan -Branch Principal of Falkbuilt San Diego.

How I got into Construction - I graduated from San Diego State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Design. I began my career doing tenant improvement space planning and interior design for real estate developers and leasing agents. I was the liaison between the tenant (who wanted everything), the developer (who the tenant expected to pay for everything), the leasing agent (who wanted to bring the tenant wishes and the developers budget together to make a deal), the building department (whose timeline and code requirements took precedence over wishes and budget) and the general contractor who was expected to deliver the tenant improvement build out on time and within budget. I worked closely with the developer's designated general contractor during the tenant programming and space planning process to plan and price tenant improvement specifications. We were operating as a design/build consultant before the design/build term for this type of project delivery was coined. By 2005, 3D design and manufacturing technology was rapidly evolving including innovative programs and products to provide for the off-site manufacturing of construction components. I fell in love with the design technology that allowed a designer to build virtually and the manufacturer to deliver precisely engineered construction components to the field for the build. As a result, over the years our design firm morphed into a design/build off-site manufactured construction company - Falkbuilt San Diego.

What I love most - Seeing an idea become a plan and then a reality. To create something - to BUILD something is amazing.

Favorite accomplishments - I have been in business for 40 years. That is a long time! I have had some amazing projects and awards I am proud of, but in the end, my greatest delight is in the relationships I have had the opportunity to develop and the teams I have had the honor to coach.

Advice to other women - Don't think you have to act like a man to be relevant in the construction world. Just be a creative, intuitive, intelligent, hard-working, responsible construction team member.