By: Erika Strebel//October 19, 2016//
While working as a sales clerk at his family’s hardware story, Jared McDaniel learned that a desk job wasn’t for him.
He went on to earn a degree in construction management. Fast-forward, and McDaniel can now boast of having worked on three construction projects costing more than $200 million each.
He attributes his accomplishments thus far mostly to his ability to be responsive, says the senior project manager at Tri-North.
“As soon as an issue comes up I want to address it,” McDaniel said. “That’s the key to my success: Not letting things linger on. I don’t like living in the past.”
The work can be difficult, especially when it calls for juggling more than one contract, subcontract or change order. The end product is what makes it all worthwhile.
Driving around Chicago — where he had worked for Walsh Construction before joining Tri-North — McDaniel can point out finished project after finished project.
“It’s cool just to see your work as part of the architecture of the city,” he said. “I enjoy that it’s hands-on.”
McDaniel has now turned his attention to projects in his new home state. He moved to Wisconsin about a year ago to join Tri-North.
McDaniel’s short-term goals include getting The Corners of Brookfield project finished on time and under budget. The 75,000-square-foot shopping center is Tri-North’s largest project to date.
The company hired McDaniel after work on the project had started.
Beyond The Corners, McDaniel would like to see a Tri-North project through from start to finish.
“But the sky’s the limit,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind chasing my own work or have my own separate division chasing a certain type of work.”
Outside of work, McDaniel enjoys being outdoors. He hunts and bikes, but his biggest hobby is taking part in triathlons, which he has done for six years.
“I always liked to be on a bike so it kind of fit,” he said.
In September, he finished his first Iron Man competition, in Madison.
“I’m recovered,” McDaniel said. “I think I over trained, if anything. I was still exhausted. I could still walk. I didn’t need assistance, so that was promising.”
McDaniel’s next project is to remodel his house with the help of his wife. The couple is also preparing for the arrival of a baby son.