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JORGE MOREIRA · Safety Manager

How did you get into this profession and what excites you about Safety?
I started my construction career building concrete structures. Impressed with my record, the Sr. Superintendent offered me an opportunity to work in their Safety Department. Since then I have grown and learned a lot about safety. I take pride in ensuring all employees return home to their families safely after a day at work.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I start my day at 4:00 am, I make some breakfast and get to site at 6:00 am. I typically inspect four projects a day. These safety inspections consist of analyzing the site to ensure OSHA & Buch safety regulations are in place. Whether those regulations are in regards to building safety, such as guard rails, or making sure all workers have the proper PPE, it is my job to make sure the project has been inspected and is in compliance with our safety regulations.

What is a skill you have enhanced most since working at Buch?
My communication skills have improved significantly since the time I started working at Buch. I am a native Spanish speaker, which is useful in communicating with others on site. It allows me to educate more individuals on the importance of following safety protocols. I also get to communicate with many different people which allows me to build stronger interpersonal relationships with coworkers, clients and subcontractors.

What career advice would you give graduates just starting out their career in the field?
I would advise new hires to do your job honestly, responsibly, and enthusiastically enforce regulations. At times, you may receive pushback from people but learning to effectively communicate the importance of safety is an important skill to acquire as a Safety professional.

What does Beyond What is Expected mean to you?
Going Beyond What is Expected is getting satisfaction knowing you went above what was necessary and having pride in the work you did. 

What is your why?
My ‘why’ as a Safety Manager is being the invisible link between those who work on our sites and their families. It is my goal for everyone to return home uninjured each and every day!

NIC FLICKINGER · Senior Estimator

Tell us a little bit about what your role within the company is:
As an estimator, I assist the project management teams with bid and budget requests they receive. Along with my team, our focus is on the Interiors division. Subcontractor interactions, site visits, proposal scoping, and finalizing of pricing are just a few of the tasks that can be handled by the estimator assigned to the project.

What made you pursue a career as an Estimator?
Prior to working at Buch, I was in a career outside of construction. The Buch Family was gracious enough to offer me an opportunity in their company. I started out as a Project Engineer at AZ in Frederick before coming to the main office. My knowledge of construction began to expand working alongside other team members. I started to assist others with bids as well and then I was offered to fill an upcoming need as an estimator. It definitely was not a position I saw myself landing in when I first started but I truly love what I do.

What do you like the most about working with Buch?
The people. When I think of Buch, the word that immediately comes to mind is family. Everyone is very passionate about what they do and they support one another in their efforts to make sure that all are successful. It is a unique and amazing work environment, one that doesn’t exist many places. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of laughs with a lot of great people!

What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
I would have to say being part of the team that helped to secure our first Erickson interiors project back in 2018. It was on of the bigger and more intricate interiors projects I had assisted with, and it involved detailed scopes, a lot of collaboration, and significant attention to detail. It was one of my first in-person interviews I had attended as well. It was a great team effort all around and I feel it was one of the first steps in growing a great partnership with Erickson Senior Living.

What is your main professional goal in the coming years?
I would like to continue to grow the estimating department for the Interiors team. As the company continues to grow, the number of pricing opportunities continues to expand. In order to better assist the Interiors division, it would be great to add to the estimating team to help meet the demand and exceed expectations.

What would be your best advice to the younger corporate generation?
Surround yourself with amazing people. Where I am in my life right now has been brought about by this statement. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance, assistance, teachings, patience, and understanding of those around me.

What does “Beyond What’s Expected” mean to you?
From an estimating standpoint, providing as much valuable information as possible when providing a bid or budget. Whether it is providing a quick-ship option on a long lead item or providing an alternate way of doing something passed on subcontractor input or supplying a client with detailed takeoffs for budget pricing, it’s anything that can be done to differentiate Buch from other general contractors. The first steps we have with clients and initial interactions we have with pricing strategies help to lay the groundwork moving forward. Showing them early on ‘beyond what’s expected’ really helps to separate us as a company.

What does a typical day off look like for you?
I’m not sure I know what a typical day off looks like, lol! My kids are very busy with their activities and that consumes a lot of our time. Rudy is currently playing hockey and basketball; Josephine is learning to ice skate and has dance classes. The kids love playing with Legos too, so we spend a fair amount of time building things together. I try to squeeze in my ‘to-do’ list for things around the house and some golf time, as I am able. I love the time I get to be with my wife and kids.

If you had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Thanksgiving dinner!

Share some fun facts about you that most people don’t know:
>>> I don’t have a middle name.
>>> My only sibling, my sister, was born 2 years, 2 days, and 2 hours after me.
>>> I have played hockey with Mario Lemieux.

On April 30th, we celebrated national rebuilding day by partnering up with Rebuilding Howard County. We enjoy continuing to support an organization that is hands-on and community focused. Plus, we are able to do what we love most – build🔨! Big thank you to our team members for your dedication and time and a special thanks to Matt Battaglia for being this project’s coordinator!