2021 Ones to Watch: Eric Peterson, Director of Operations, Tecta America New England, LLC

Who or what inspires you? My wife and kids inspire me. I would not be the hard worker that I am if not for them. My ambition to succeed comes from wanting to provide a nice life for my family.

How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles? I have a fantastic team of intelligent, really hard working people. I’m lucky in that everyone here is very self-motivated. The conflicts and obstacles are easy to work through when you really enjoy the people you work with. Everyone’s opinion is valued and considered.

What advice can you offer to someone who is interested in a career in your industry? Be prepared for some long days and a lot of hard work. The construction industry is not for the faint of heart, but there is real potential for excellent careers. Work your butt off and prove yourself, and people will take notice.

Who was/is your mentor and how did s/he influence/help you in your career? My father. He was a general contractor and bring me with him to his projects at a young age; that was my introduction to the construction industry. He worked hard all week so that we could “play hard” on the weekends. My father instilled in me the work ethic that I would need to be successful.