We take a holistic view of what’s necessary for project success and our comprehensive capabilities means that we are always ready to provide excellence at every stage.
We are thrilled to announce the opening of Buch’s brand-new headquarters. At Buch, we believe that our success is rooted in the talent and expertise of our team. Our new headquarters provides an inspiring environment where our employees can thrive, collaborate, and continue to go beyond what’s expected.
Check out our article on Bisnow, where we delve into the details of our new home, the construction process, and the vision behind Buch HQ. Together, let us continue to build a brighter future filled with remarkable projects, lasting relationships, and unparalleled success. Thank you for being a part of our journey!
Inspiring Construction Careers at Arlington Baptist School
Buch is committed to inspiring the next generation. With endless career choices in front of them, it is crucial for young minds to explore their passions and dream big. Recently, Arlington Baptist School hosted a Career Week, inviting professionals from various fields to inspire and educate their students. Among them was our Project Manager, Christy Cooper. Her expertise in project management and enthusiasm for the construction industry captivated Ms. Wards’ third-grade class, enlightening students about the numerous construction career opportunities available to them in their futures.
Christy goes Beyond What’s Expected
As Christy entered the classroom, she was greeted by a room full of eager students. With bags of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for each student, a trifold, some carpet samples in hand, and her own experiences to share, Christy began her educational presentation to ignite their imaginations. She introduced Buch’s company values, highlighting Buch’s core focus on safety, by showcasing each piece of equipment in their PPE bags. As the students put on their protective eyewear, safety vests, and hard hats, Christy engaged the kids in an interactive discussion explaining the purpose of each PPE item.
Christy shared her responsibilities and daily routine with the class as they passed samples of carpet, paint, and tiles around the classroom. The students were enamored with the interactive props as they flooded Christy with questions regarding construction. Christy made sure to answer every question with genuine interest, which inspired even more curiosity in the students. She encouraged them to believe in themselves and emphasized that with dedication and hard work, they could achieve anything they set their minds to.
A New Generation of Builders
At the conclusion of Christy’s presentation, the students had a new-found interest in construction as they all began measuring various items in the classroom with their new tape measurers. By connecting with the third graders on a personal level and offering a glimpse into the world of construction, Christy paved the way for a generation of aspiring builders, architects, and engineers. At Buch, we believe the possibilities are endless when we inspire the next generation.
Beyond what’s expected means that you put your best foot forward every day. For me in my role in marketing, I try to put the client at the center of every decision. I want to learn what is important to them and try to find synergies to provide the best possible service to elevate their experience. Small things make the biggest difference!
Give us a brief summary of what your career has been like at Buch.
My career has evolved in the past few years at Buch. Being a smaller team in NY, I have had the opportunity to wear many hats. While I started as a Project Manager, my role soon evolved into Business Development & Marketing which was needed to grow our presence in the Northeast. It has been an exciting shift and my prior experience in the field and with clients helps me bring a unique perspective to business development.
Tell us how your educational background/experience helps you in your role.
My background in architecture and graphic design helps me understand the design intent for the spaces we build. It enables me to execute paying close attention to the details without compromising the integrity of the design. My experience in planning retail environments has given me an owner’s perspective of the business and that each project is driven by cross functional teams, each with their unique agenda but all working towards a common goal. My approach with these projects is to facilitate timely, clear and targeted communication with all key stakeholders to ensure that we are able to pivot swiftly when necessary.
What is the most exciting project you have worked on in the Northeast region?
The Industrious office in SoHo was exciting because it was a new customer and a new business sector for our team. It was interesting to learn about the product and their business and cater our workflow to meet their needs. This is a relationship we continue to foster and we were recently nominated to be their preferred GC in the Northeast region.
What is the motivation behind what you do?
I am motivated to make an impact within our industry. I would like to grow our presence in the Northeast and beyond. I am energized by the support of our team and strive to embody our values and to deliver valuable solutions to our clients.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career?
The most valuable lesson I learned is to build and nurture relationships as they serve you well through the ups and downs of your career. The key to relationships is being a good listener, building trust and as a result securing advocacy and sponsorship of mentors. Relationships are two way, and you have to do your part and lean in to make your partners successful, going above and beyond what’s expected. Trusted advisors provide strong support, help you navigate through tricky situations, and remove obstacles that impede work and enable your success.
How did you get introduced to the construction industry?
In my role at Macy’s Store Design & Planning and after years of working with general contractors in building Macy’s store environments, I developed an interest in understanding the construction process. When I was approached to work in construction, it provided an exciting opportunity to learn the other half of the business and to be more hands on.
Do you have any artistic talents that no one knows about?
I don’t know if I have artistic talents, but I think I am creative. I am inspired by creativity and enjoy the visual and spatial arts. This brought me to pursuing a career in architectural design. I am trained in graphic design, and I especially love printmaking.
If you could be a celebrity for one day, what would you do?
I would use my celebrity to raise awareness about the Autism Spectrum Disorder and supporting people with disabilities and their families. And space travel. 😊
Can you share a funny personal or work-related anecdote?
I am embarrassed to admit that I once forgot to attend our office holiday party that I helped plan. Needless to say, that I’ll never live this down!
On Saturday, April 28th, Buch celebrated national rebuilding day. Every year we proudly partner with Rebuilding Together Howard County who are committed to improving the lives of the elderly, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and families with children; all homeowners in Howard County who have worked hard, but can no longer afford to keep up with repairs.
Shoutout to Buch’s Rebuilding Together crew for your efforts towards making this project a success! Special thanks to Zach Facchina for leading the charge!
As the Director of Florida, briefly summarize your time serving that region. While pursuing our work down in Florida, I have developed strong relationships with subcontractors and vendors, which has allowed Buch to serve our many national clients in the Florida market. With a long history and reputation up in the Mid-Atlantic, we have longstanding relationships with many subcontractors; however, down in Florida many of these relationships are in their infancy. Continuing to develop these connections in the region will be very important to the overall success of the operation. It has been an exciting time being a small part of the company’s overall growth since I have been down here, and I look forward to continuing moving forward in the region!
What do you like the most about your job? I really enjoy the personal interactions with everyone from our clients to subcontractors to superintendents to field foreman. We deal with so many different people from different backgrounds, which makes every day exciting.
What is your main professional goal in the coming years? My main professional goal in the coming years is to continue to learn all that I can while working alongside my team so that we can continue to grow and contribute to success of the company.
What skills and talents do you have that help you perform your work efficiently? I feel I communicate timely and effectively, which keeps all stakeholders in the project informed and keeps the projects moving forward.
Tell us about the most important project you have worked on the Southeast region? We have completed several projects down here with Macy’s, including their Fulfillment Centers, Minimum Standards projects, and a Starbucks Fit Out at their Florida Mall location. These have been especially exciting projects because Macy’s has been Buch’s first ever client since we were founded in 1984.
Why is pursuing a career in the construction field important? Construction signifies growth. When a business invests money into a construction project it shows they are intent on continued development and not content with the status quo.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your career? The most valuable lesson I have learned is the importance of timely communication between clients and design teams to keep a project moving forward. Inevitably, there will be problems that arise in construction and jumping on them quickly mitigates their impact and minimizes schedule delays and cost changes.
What does “Beyond What’s Expected” mean to you? Beyond What’s Expected means to use all resources at our disposal to produce a top-quality product for our clients on time and without any surprises. It means maintaining an open line of communication amongst all stakeholders to properly, and timely address the inevitable situations that arise in the construction industry.
What is the next item in your bucket list that you plan to accomplish? Ride a mule down the Grand Canyon
What is your favorite hobby? I enjoy getting frustrated on a golf course.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? Teleportation. There are so many places and people to see. Although the journey is great, I prefer the destination.
Our partnership with Boys Hope Girls Hope goes back more than 5 years. This organization nurtures and guides motivated young people in need to become well educated, career ready men and women for others. Our teams enjoy supporting their mission by different efforts including renovating their spaces to create a safe and comfortable living environment that they can call home.
Reflecting on your years at Buch, what has been one of your favorite days working at Buch?
One of my favorite days working at Buch was my first day. When I first walked into the Buch office, I remember this feeling of opportunity; that I was going to get the chance to grow and learn here. Everyone went out of their way to greet me and treat me like I was a part of their family. From my first day, I knew Buch was going to be a good place for me to grow, surrounded by supportive coworkers.
What is one place you haven’t traveled to yet that is on your list?
Japan. My daughter is fluent in Japanese and studied Asian history so getting to go there with her is definitely on my list.
What is it like to work in the Buch office?
Everyone here cares about one other and it shows. Being in this supportive atmosphere makes me truly love coming to work. I see my coworkers as family, and we care for one other as a family does. The dynamic between the accounting team is fun but hardworking. We have become a close-knit team where I am pushed to learn more and take on more responsibility. Working in the Buch office I know I am surrounded by people who want to see me succeed.
What inspired you to go into the Construction Industry?
Prior to working at Buch, I worked in accounting, and later I was a manager at a restaurant near the Buch office. I would see Buch employees come in every day, and I began talking with them and learning about their company. Carl Buch offered me a position in accounting, and I jumped on the opportunity. I never imagined I would be in the construction industry, but it has given me an environment where I can continue to learn new things.
What is something about your job other people might not know about?
One of the most challenging and time-consuming parts of being an accounting clerk is check runs. Each week I process the checks that Buch sends or receives. We have several different subcontractors working for us under each project, meaning many checks for me to process.
What is your why?
My coworkers are my motivation to come to work. We all depend on one other to do our part in this company. I appreciate the Buch family and all the opportunities they have given me. To show my gratitude I do my part as an accountant in order to see this company thrive.
How do you envision the future of retail? The retail industry continues to adapt to the growing online presence and technological innovation. It will remain our job to provide quality spaces to help our clients best fulfill their customers’ needs. We will continue to adapt to hyper local markets; whether it means downsizing the footprint of sales floors, increasing storage capacity and order pick up locations, or building new distribution centers.
What does Beyond What’s Expected mean to you? To me, going beyond what’s expected means doing the right thing on our jobs even if we aren’t contractually obligated. It’s being adaptable and looking out for everyone involved and not just looking out for ourselves.
What do you enjoy most about working in the construction industry? I enjoy building lasting relationships throughout the project lifecycle and beyond. We finish several projects every month, but the relationships and friendships created with our trade partners, design teams, and clients last forever.
What is your favorite 90’s movie? The Mighty Ducks
Name a time that you have pushed yourself towards a goal. A few years ago I wanted to prove to myself that I could complete a Spartan Race, Marathon, and Triathalon all in the same year. With the help of my friend and coworker, Zach, I was able to accomplish my goal!
What is your earliest memory of building something? In high school shop class, I built a wooden toolbox that I still use to this day!
Is there anyone in particular that has impacted your career in construction? Without a doubt my grandfather, Ray Cook. He was an incredible master craftsman and I am truly grateful he recommended I attend apprenticeship school and join the Union back in 1999.
What would you tell a young professional aspiring to become a superintendent? Ask questions. You aren’t expected to know everything, and it is important to continue learning. Surround yourself with experience and soak in as much as you possibly can. It is also important to be a good leader. As a superintendent, people are looking at you, therefore do the right thing even when no one is looking.
What does Beyond What’s Expected mean to you? To me, going Beyond What’s Expected means to take the absolute best care of our clients regardless of the situation at hand, deliver a polished product and develop relationships that last well into the future.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? This one is tough because everyone loves food. However, I would have to say a big plate of buttery scallops with Old Bay.
What is your Why? My reason to working safely each and every day is my family, my wife Michelle, and two sons, Johnny and Kevin.
What motivated you to get into this industry? This industry requires you to pull from all aspects of your background. Sometimes, it requires you to delve deep into the technical details of an issue, while other times it involves fostering interpersonal relationships. As I grow in my career, I appreciate the fact that there are constantly new challenges to face, but at the same time, can continue to develop and tap into a network of contacts to help with solving them along the way.
What inspired to join Buch Construction? It was easy to recognize the great culture within Buch immediately. From executive leadership on down, everyone is dedicated and passionate about the work we do. It is truly a family-oriented company that you feel a part of from day one.
How has your educational background helped you in where you are today? Having a background in Civil Engineering and Engineering Management has helped me communicate much more effectively. In an industry, and obviously world altered by Covid, being able to communicate through emails and virtual meetings has become increasingly important. Gone are the days where everyone would meet onsite in person to put eyes on an issue. Instead, it is increasingly important to be able to describe issues clearly so that the appropriate parties have all the information necessary to make decisions in a timely manner.
What has been the most exciting project during your time with Buch? The phased, major repositioning and expansion of the Greenspring Village Town Center Senior Living Community was one of our most exiting projects to date. The phased approach and interconnection of the MEP systems turned the job in a complex puzzle, where we needed to make sure our work in one area would not affect the functions of another area. Often, we would close one section of the facility for construction while reopening another all in a single night shift.
What does “Beyond What’s Expected” mean to you? “Beyond What’s Expected” means to add value in everything we do. It’s taking the extra time to attempt to understand clients, coworkers, and partners motivating factors and expectations. This includes everything from the larger project as a whole to the individual day-to-day tasks. Acknowledging these factors helps to provide value added service tailored to specific individuals and circumstances.
What’s the best career advice you have ever received? The best two pieces of career advise I’ve received go hand in hand. The first is to get over the fear of asking questions. There is so much to learn in this industry and the best way to do that is by asking those that have been living it. The second is to try and have a specific goal or outcome from your daily events. For example, walk the project with the intention of reviewing a specific detail instead of simply wandering through the site.
What do you do for fun? In my spare time, I enjoy attempting to play golf and rooting on Penn State.
