2020 Year in Review: Rich Elliott, Chapman Construction

What was the most difficult part of working during the pandemic of 2020? It’s our responsibility to keep everyone on and around our jobsites safe and healthy. The pandemic presented many new challenges from developing our own comprehensive COVID-19 safety procedures that align with ever-changing regulations, to incorporating client and building-specific elements, and monitoring the activities of everyone on our jobsites to ensure compliance.

What aspects of working from home have you enjoyed most? I have preferred to remain in the office on most days. Chapman developed an office reopening plan early on that has allowed our team safe access to our offices if needed. Many continue to work remotely, and I miss the face-to-face interaction, but really enjoy the flexibility to work where I need to on any given day. 

What was your greatest professional accomplishment or most notable project,

deal, or transaction in 2020? With many of our corporate office and education projects put on hold, I am proud of the relationships we’ve developed in the defense sector that have kept our workload strong during these unprecedented times. 

What are your predictions for commercial real estate in 2021? The future of the corporate office and education markets is hinging on the vaccine. Life science, industrial and warehouse space will continue to thrive in 2021. 

What is the best advice you have received, and who was it from? Chapman’s founder John Hall developed several internal mantras during our 35+ year history. One that has always resonated with me is “Assume Nothing”, this piece of advice is so crucial to what we do as construction managers. A project or task can look exactly the same as another but can present completely unique challenges.