2025 Ones to Watch - Industry Leaders: Patrick Yarnell, Vantage Builders

“Vantage Builders’ longest tenured employee, Patrick Yarnell has been a superintendent with the firm for 22 of its 25 years in business. He is a leader among our team of supers and has successfully completed projects in all of Vantage Builders’ key sectors – corporate, health & science, education, industrial and retail.”

How do you inspire, motivate, or mentor others within your organization? With over 20 years on the Vantage team, I try to mentor others, particularly the new supers, by sharing the experience I’ve gained and explaining the purpose behind what we do. I teach the team how to plan ahead, spot issues early, and understand how one delay can affect the whole sequence of a project. I focus on solid training, safety, building strong relationships with our subcontractors, and leading by example - reinforcing the standards that have helped Vantage Builders grow over the past 25 years.

What advice would you share with emerging professionals striving to become future leaders in commercial real estate? As a superintendent, I always advise new peers to take the time to know the plans and specifications inside and out. The small details can have a big impact on a project. Keep building your knowledge so you can provide guidance, anticipate challenges, help keep work on schedule, and communicate to the full project team. Understanding how each step affects the bigger picture allows you to lead effectively, support your team, and earn the trust that comes from experience and reliability.

What daily habit or routine helps you stay focused or motivated as a leader? Checking in with the on-site team and trade partners daily keeps us aligned and focused on our goals.