At NEC, we’re proud to celebrate our appreciation for the efforts of our team during Construction Appreciation Week by shedding light on some people behind the projects; our team members whose expertise, dedication, proactivity and client focused mindset turn plans into lasting spaces for communities and businesses across New England and beyond. With 40 years of experience building across several market sectors, our team understand that great projects come from more than concrete, steel and wood; they come from the people who lead with passion and purpose each and every day. Simply put, you will love our people.
This week, we’re sharing insights from our team through the voices of three NEC members: Adam Arsenault, Director of Operations; Dominic DeChiara, Director of Internal Operations and John Weber, Senior Project Manager. Their thoughts reflect what makes construction meaningful-not just for the projects, but the people and relationships that shape them.
Obsessing Over Client Success
For Adam, at the heart of every project he handles at NEC is the focus of not only our team’s success, but more importantly, the client’s success. “We are hired to deal with problems,” Adam explains. “What makes the difference is how we collaborate-with our clients, with our trade partners and design teams to find creative solutions”
That mindset continues to build trust with our repeat clients who understand that our team will put their business goals at the forefront of our approach. Whether solving complex and unexpected challenges or making tough decisions on the best trade partnerships, transparency and collaboration with our client is non-negotiable. “Our ideal client is one who wants a long term relationship” Adam says. “We’re not just building a project-we’re building trust.”
Building Complex Projects and Growing Strong Teams
Dom sees construction as a people business as much as a technical one. In his role as Director of Internal Operations, Dom sees that his teams have everything they need to foster success on each project. He believes in teamwork in processing difficulties and presenting well designed solutions. “It’s not just about finding the easiest solution, it’s about finding the right one.” He says.
Dom encourages his team to think creatively, especially when dealing with a complex project. For example, when a permitting delay threatened a procurement schedule, the team evolved their plan to change priorities allowing a project to remain on track. With clear communication of the plan of action to the client and subcontractors, maintaining transparency in problem solving while ensuring the client’s goals remain intact. This approach is important in developing the team’s out of the box mindset, preparing them for proactivity on potential challenges on projects in the future. He fosters a culture of preparedness for our project teams.
For Dom, complex projects aren’t just challenges-they are growth opportunities for our team. “Larger, more complex projects allow staff, especially those just starting out, to stretch into their role while building on their skills. Dom explained. “It’s rewarding to see project engineers grow into managers, or assistant superintendents eventually run projects on their own. Construction is a team sport, and we’re all in to win together.”
From Plans to Projects: Story of a Large Scale Multi-Unit Project
As Senior Project Manager, and tenured NEC team member, John Weber has hands-on experience with bringing early-stage planning and people together on his projects. Currently, John is leading his team on a large 150 unit Multi-unit project complete with retail, living and cultural spaces.
John outlines his approach to preparing himself for executing a successful project. “The first step is weeks of digging through plans, figuring out details, lining up subcontractors, and reviewing responsibilities to make sure all scopes are accounted for.” For John, project success lies in the preparation and collaboration of the team. He emphasizes assigning clear roles and expectations, mentoring junior team members and including the client in the problem solving process when challenges arise. “When a problem becomes clear, we sit down with the client, lay out options and work to solve the issue together.”
Construction is a Family Business
What ties all these stories together is NEC’s culture. From senior leadership to project engineers, the family first mindset is an integral part of the success of our team and in turn, the success of our projects. “Big company capabilities, small company feel” isn’t just a phrase, it’s how we operate. Our team works as a family, having each other’s support and navigating through professional and personal milestones. During National Construction Appreciation Week, we honor not just the projects we’ve built, but the people who make them possible. Their resilience, problem-solving, and commitment to both clients and teammates define what construction means to NEC. Choosing NEC means choosing a partner who values teamwork. We don’t just build buildings-we build trust, together.
You Will Love Our People.
