News
Employee Spotlight TJ Jacobs
July 22, 2026
TJ JACOBS · Superintendent
What motivates you in leading your job sites?
Seeing a project through from start to finish is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I enjoy working alongside my colleagues and building relationships with new subcontractors throughout the process. On the most recent project I completed, we started with an empty warehouse and transformed it into a state-of-the-art facility filled with people and activity along the way. It took a lot of coordination, communication, and teamwork to get there, and I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished. There’s something motivating about looking at an empty space, seeing its potential, and helping bring that vision to life; the great people I get to work with are an added bonus.
What made you choose a job in the field?
Since the start of my career, I have worked in the trades, including mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC. I’ve always enjoyed being hands-on and understanding how things work, but I was also looking for an opportunity to take on more leadership responsibility and help guide projects from start to finish. Construction management gave me the chance to combine both, staying connected to the work in the field while leading teams and helping bring projects to life.
There’s been a noticeable decrease in young professionals entering the superintendent role; what would you say to encourage others to consider this career path?
There’s no shortage of opportunities in this industry, and the knowledge and skills you gain can open a lot of doors. Pursuing a career in construction is an investment in your future. In just a few years, I’ve built strong professional relationships, learned a tremendous amount, and had the chance to work on some incredible projects. Looking back, I have no regrets about making the move; it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career.
Is there a major project that has left an impact on you?
A project that left a lasting impact on me was Arcellx, my first project with Buch as an Assistant Superintendent. That experience taught me the value of mentorship and how the way we treat our colleagues can make a real difference. As someone new to the company, Andy Dunn made me feel welcome from day one. His positive attitude, strong work ethic, and depth of knowledge motivated me and gave me a great introduction to The Buch Way. His leadership style is something I still try to model today.
Andy isn’t the only person I’ve learned from over the years. Team members like Brian Dribben, John Pearson, and Fares Talon, along with many others, have helped shape my approach to leadership, communication, and problem-solving throughout my career at Buch.
Another project that left a lasting impact on me was a large life sciences project that was the biggest of its kind in Buch’s history at the time. The project had an aggressive schedule, creating constant pressure to deliver at a high level. It was also the first project I saw through from start to finish, giving me a firsthand look at the full lifecycle of a job.
The experience reinforced the importance of coordination and understanding how all the moving pieces come together. With numerous subcontractors on site and inspections happening regularly, there was always a lot to manage. It was a great opportunity to learn what strong teamwork, planning, and communication look like in practice, and those lessons continue to influence how I approach my work today.
What is your favorite aspect of a project?
Getting to see how excited our clients are when they see the finished project for the first time. It’s rewarding to watch something go from an idea to a completed space and see how happy they are with the end result. That reaction makes all the hard work worth it.
What is a fun fact about you?
I first got to know Buch while working on a year-long project as part of the HVAC subcontracting team. The experience gave me a firsthand look at the company and the people behind it. After the project was completed, I learned about an opportunity to join Buch and felt it was the right next step for my career.
If you could go to any major event in the world, what would you choose?
The Masters.
What does going Beyond What’s Expected mean to you?
I try to put 150% into everything I do by being proactive, identifying issues before they happen, staying late when needed, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done on time and satisfy the client. I treat every project the way I would want someone to treat a project if I were the client; with care, accountability, and attention to detail.