2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Thomas Perry, Corderman & Company, Inc.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Thomas for the past two years, and his growth has been remarkable. Since joining Corderman three years ago, he has developed into a highly dependable and proactive APM. He demonstrates strong time management and an exceptional ability to track and resolve project issues, consistently meeting deadlines while managing multiple projects simultaneously.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role? I studied architecture and economics in college. After graduating, I obtained my real estate license and worked as a residential agent but found myself increasingly drawn to the composition of the buildings themselves: the design, systems, and construction. Further research and conversations with industry leaders, including David Corderman, made me realize that construction management aligned closely with my technical interests and market background. This led me to pursue a career in construction, where I could engage directly with the development process from concept through completion.

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of? One of the accomplishments that I am most proud of has been stepping into an experienced team delivering Chase Bank projects and quickly becoming a key contributor. While the team had already completed nearly 20 projects before I joined, I’ve since helped manage the construction of more than 10 locations and continued that momentum. Gaining a strong understanding of the process early on allowed me to take on significant responsibility and consistently deliver results.