2024 Year in Review: Bryan Northrop, Skanska USA Building, NE Region

What was your greatest professional accomplishment or most notable project, deal, or transaction in 2024?
Skanska marked several project milestones in 2024, including being selected to complete renovations for Boston’s Logan Airport’s Terminal B Garage and Terminal E Garage. In August, Skanska announced the completion of the University of New Hampshire’s Spaulding Hall. In October, Skanska announced it had successfully completed renovations for Boston College’s Higgins Hall and Northeastern University’s Robinson Hall, two of the firm’s “summer slammer” projects, which concentrate on upgrading educational facilities during the summer months in preparation for the student’s return to campus. Skanska also completed the renovation of Milton Academy’s William Coburn Cox Library into the new Farokhzad Math Center.

What emerging trends will drive investment and development in 2025?
I expect challenges from the skilled labor shortage to persist in 2025, as many workers will retire and fewer young people entering the industry due to lack of awareness regarding construction careers. While construction costs have stabilized, rising labor costs – which are outpacing inflation – will add stress to budgets and increase overall costs for clients. In 2025, it will be important to address these challenges through workforce development and innovation in order to sustain growth and meet client needs in an increasingly competitive market.