This month’s “Who Is” interview is with Mark LaGasse, President/Owner of LaGasse Construction. Here’s an abbreviated, and slightly paraphrased, recap of that interview. Watch the video for the full content.
CORPRO:
Before I ask any personal questions, please tell me what your professional life is like. Or as they say… “What do you do?
Mark:
I’m the owner and president of the company. I handle business development, estimating, project management, HR and more.
CORPRO:
What career path brought you to where you are today?
Mark:
I attended college at U.T. Knoxville. My dad, my uncle and I opened a sports bar but that didn’t work out. I worked in marketing for Promise Hotels which later became Hilton Hotels. These jobs provided opportunity to gain lots of business experience. After nearly four years with Promise, a key employee at LaGasse Construction left so my dad asked me if I would consider joining the family construction business. I was hesitant at first but of course ultimately said yes. This company was started in 1979 and in 2013, dad stepped down and I became the owner and president. Next month, May 2021, I will celebrate 25 years with the company.
CORPRO:
Please tell us a little more about Mark LaGasse. Married? Kids? Hobbies and Interests?
Mark:
My wife and I are celebrating our 20 year anniversary this month. We have a 14 year old daughter who is involved in cheerleading. Her squad at Houston Middle School is very competitive at the national level. Our 12 year old son plays competitive baseball and is gearing up for the new season. When our family isn’t playing sports, we like to go to the beach or the lake.
CORPRO:
What makes LaGasse Construction different from the others?
Mark:
We are diversified. Our company has three divisions; General Construction, Steel Fabrication and Marine Construction. This diversity helps us serve our clients especially with Design/Build projects and we can take a project to full Turn Key status. The Marine Construction division has been involved in state park projects where we construct things like new boating docks. This division also brings some administrative challenges such as specific safety standards and Longshoreman insurance.
CORPRO:
How has the COVID 19 pandemic affected your life personally and professionally?
Mark:
Our business has been able to survive without laying off a single employee. This was due in part to president Trump’s efforts in getting PPP loans available. This loan was a shot in the arm that helped us when things got real slow. Our Safety Director, Ron Smith, did a great job in setting up all the required COVID workplace protocols. We are very proud of the job we did in this area. Unfortunately, I was affected personally by this pandemic. My dad’s brother, my uncle, contracted COVID and passed away in February.
CORPRO:
During the recent snow event, did you make a snowman? How did this week-long event affect you?
Mark:
I didn’t make a snowman but our family got to ride 4 wheelers in the snow that week.
Our normal construction projects were essentially shut down. However, we were able to help others keep going while generating some business for ourselves. Some industrial plants contacted us and we used our equipment to clear snow from their driveways and loading docks.
CORPRO:
What is your outlook for the construction industry?
Mark:
It’s a balanced outlook of both optimism and concern. I’m encouraged by all the talk about upgrading our nations infrastructure. We certainly need work on our highways, roads, bridges and utility systems. My concern continues to be the lack of a labor force. It seems that for every five workers that retires, there is only one new one to take their place.
CORPRO:
Let’s finish this interview on a lighter note. If you were able to do anything you wanted to for one week, what would it be? It must be 100% selfish and without wife or children. All expenses paid!
Mark:
Well, first of all, I know my family wouldn’t enjoy doing what I would do. I’m very interested in our nation’s history. I’m especially interested in what was going on during our the American Revolution so I would spend a week in the New England area. I would visit Philadelphia to see many of our original documents and the places where they were written. I would visit battlefield sites like Lexington, Concord and the battle at Gettysburg. I would spend that week getting my nerd history on.