Spence Brothers

I am proud to be a member of the Spence Brothers team and representing a company that prides itself on hard work and quality projects. My interest in construction began as an early teen where I worked alongside my dad on small projects. This inspired my studies at Michigan State University where I earned a degree in Construction Management. After graduation, I worked as an onsite project engineer, project manager and later as an estimator. My combination of field and office experience has helped shape the way I approach projects and clients. As a Project Director and Vice President of the Ann Arbor office, I am proud to represent the Spence Brothers name and values. I am dedicated to building client and subcontractor relationships and exceeding expectations.

Representing the 3rd generation of Spence family leadership, I’ve seen a lot of changes within the construction industry. Throughout these changes, our company has maintained its core values and I’m proud of where we’ve been – and where we’re headed. I started in our family business like everyone else – learning the ropes through hard work in the field and developing an appreciation for construction results consistent with our family-owned firm’s expectations. Today, in addition to serving as Executive Vice President, I provide oversight on all of our estimates and find great pleasure in working with a team of talented construction professionals.

As Spence Brothers’ Chief Operating Officer, I direct projects we build, from planning to completion. Our family’s name is on every job we do. I feel fortunate that my forefathers passed on their work ethic and commitment to excellence to the following generations, and I am accountable to uphold our hard earned reputation. This is what drives me to make sure the job is done safely, on-time, within budget, and exceeding our clients’ expectations. Whether large or small, simple or complex, I am dedicated to make sure all employees and our subcontractors are committed to the needs and objectives of our clients.

As the 4th generation leader of a construction company with long legacy of building important facilities for our project partners, it is incredibly humbling to reflect on our company’s accomplishments. I’m proud that our company still employs and is led by key family members who started their careers from the ground up, like myself, who started working as a project engineer in Ann Arbor. My great-grandfather and his brother started our firm to rebuild our community after a devastating fire, and our commitment to the communities we live in continues through community involvement by our employees and leaders.

As a lifelong resident of Traverse City, it’s been a privilege to represent Spence Brothers’ tradition of excellence in customer service and quality in Northern Michigan. My own background is a mix of management and practical hands-on experience; I’ve project managed for many years, but I’ve also spent time in the field as a Superintendent. So, coming on-board a company with a leadership that seemed to share a similar start in the industry just made sense. Spence Brothers has a fantastic culture that’s focused on relationships and customer service that fits my own personal approach of putting the client first, no matter how large or small the job. It’s definitely a legacy of tradition I’m proud to be a part of.

Since joining Spence Brothers I have been impressed with the level of dedication and commitment invested in the projects we build and in the communities where we work. It’s clear to me that this starts with the Spence family and the level of integrity they bring to our relationships with owners, subcontractors, designers, and municipalities. The company’s longevity is a testament to the trust built up over many years and many projects. I’m happy to be working with the team, happy to be building relationships and I plan on making sure the next century is just as successful for Spence.

I’m proud to be a company leader, responsible for carrying on a legacy of getting the job done right that spans 13 decades. Our success has been built by the manner in which we treat people—clients, subcontractors, and above all, our employees. I believe in mutual respect and an appreciation for a job well done. Just as we believe in doing the job right on every project we build, I also apply that way of thinking to community leadership through my involvement as a board member of the City Opera House and Traverse City Light and Power (TCLP).

I have always had an interest in construction. When deciding a career path out of high school I was drawn to construction management because the projects we build are very visible in the community and are around for a long time. I am very fortunate and proud to have spent my entire career with Spence Brothers starting as a project engineer in the field after graduating from the University of Michigan and now serving as Vice President and Project Director. My goal is to carry on Spence Brothers’ hard-earned legacy and to apply our values daily to ensure that our employees have the tools and processes they need to be efficient and successful and above all that our clients receive the value and quality they expect and deserve from Spence Brothers.

Taking a page out of the Spence Notebook, I began my career out in the field as a laborer & project engineer, with the understanding that the best educational foundation for building involves a hands-on approach.  Coupled with an education in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Business from Saginaw Valley State University, my field work, and on-the-job project management experience has allowed me the privilege of currently serving as our Executive Vice President of Preconstruction Services.  This means I am often the first to meet with our customers, and being among the first of the company’s Owners without the Spence name, I’m proud to apply the family’s values to the work I do each and every day – putting the client first and treating every customer dollar like it’s my own.