Leading the way

Our conversations with Bozzuto Construction’s Kelly Cantley

Kelly Cantley’s foray into the construction business started in the military. After graduating from the US Naval Academy, she served on the USS Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier that deployed to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. In the last two years of her military career, she worked as an officer in the Civil Engineer Corps, where she oversaw construction and maintenance of three base facilities in New Orleans.

After leaving the military, she landed at Turner Construction, where she spent 10 years honing her craft. Today, as Senior Vice President for the Bozzuto Construction Company, Cantley is responsible for developing new business opportunities for the construction group, as well as operations in South Florida. She is involved with all aspects of the business, from acquisition, planning and implementation of new work. She also serves as a liaison between preconstruction, operations and clients to ensure project goals are met from construction’s conception to completion.

In her spare time, Cantley is active in many real estate affiliations, as well as philanthropic organizations such as Urban Land Institute, Women’s Housing Coalition, ACE Mentoring Program and Jubilee Housing.

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the industry?

After graduating from the Naval Academy, I was commissioned and served time on the USS Eisenhower, an aircraft carrier that deployed to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. In addition to my deployment, I served as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer for the last two years of my military career, where I oversaw construction and maintenance of three base facilities in New Orleans.

As I transitioned out of the military, I joined the Turner Construction team where I stayed for 10 years, and then came to Bozzuto Construction, where I have been for the past 11. I have always loved engineering, and have a strong passion for the technical side of building which I have been able to further explore in the construction industry.

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen over the past two years?

The aftermath of the pandemic has impacted all aspects of our operations. In order to adapt, we have introduced hybrid work to the extent that we can, and have been navigating procurement challenges related to material availability and the supply chain that are still prevalent to this day.

In response, we have identified creative ways to accelerate submittals, and new strategies for buy out that allow us to keep our projects on budget and on time as much as possible. Equally challenging is the fact that a large portion of the workforce is aging out, so it is important that we come up with new ways to introduce and excite young students and prospective employees about the construction industry to ensure we have a strong and steady talent pipeline.

What opportunities are out there for the industry as we move forward? For women?

It is an exciting time to embark on a career in construction because there are so many jobs to explore across all divisions. There are especially opportunities for people to come in and bring creative and innovative solutions that address some of the challenges we are facing as an industry.

There is always a demand for out-ofthe-box thinkers who can come into the business and find ways to help the industry be more efficient with budgets, manpower, etc., the sky is really the limit. And these opportunities are equally available for women as they are for men. The construction industry as a whole has become a lot more progressive in recent years, and a lot more flexible to accommodate parents and families.

Women are going out on maternity leave and returning to their jobs in significantly higher numbers than they did 10 or even five years ago. Men are also increasingly taking paternity leave and improving their work-life balance so they can be home more regularly with their families.

What trends are you seeing today in the industry?

While tech and innovation are not new in construction, the industry is embracing new tech tools and concepts that are increasing our ability to be efficient at an accelerated rate. We’re seeing a lot more modular construction, and increased interest in mass timber.

In light of ongoing material shortages and delays brought on by the pandemic, we have been sequencing work with early start agreements, and have changed how we buy and release materials to mitigate potential scheduling impacts. There has also been an increased interest in true, design-build multifamily projects which is exciting to see.

What advice can you share?

To people coming up in the industry or interested in it?

One thing that makes the field of construction so exciting is that you have the opportunity to follow whatever your passion is within the industry. There are roles for creative-minded people, individuals interested in managing projects, directing safety, developing new technology and anything else you can think of.

The best advice I have for anyone interested in construction is that there’s no class or course that can replace the experience you get by seeing a project through from start to finish. There is so much to learn from onsite staff, whether it be a superintendent or a subcontractor, that a classroom just cannot replicate. Effective communication is also a major key to success on any construction project, as well as being able to learn from and not dwell on your mistakes. Problems arise every single day on a project, and it’s how you course correct, move forward and learn from it that will determine your success.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

To get outside of my comfort zone. We don’t always feel we can do something well if we haven’t already done it more than a dozen times, but it’s important to recognize the baseline ability we all have to do anything we want. Having that confidence to chase the next step, even if you haven’t done it before, and advocate for yourself is important for your development as a person and in your professional career.

What’s the single best thing every woman can do to make sure they continue to get a seat at the table?

Don’t be afraid to speak up and express your thoughts when you’re in the room. It’s important for women to continue supporting one another in construction, and all industries. I’m seeing more amplification of women’s voices in construction today than I ever have, and we need to continue encouraging this. Lifting diverse perspectives and ideas up is something that we all can benefit from.

What’s the biggest item on your to-do list?

I am preparing to launch our five-year strategic plan, which will focus largely on streamlining efficiencies within our field teams. We’re looking at how our work habits have changed since the onset of the pandemic, and making resources, such as training documents, standard operating procedures, etc., and data more accessible to our teams wherever they are on a given day or project. CCR

Based in Dallas, TX a nationwide company with more than 30 years of experience in:

> Brokerage - We will find the right properties to lease or buy for you –guarantee to find hidden opportunities and off market sites.

> Consulting - We will manage the entire development process –land acquisition, entitlements, zoning, and leasing.

> Development – Ground up and redevelopment specializing in single tenant net leased.

What clients are saying:

“Pam’s expertise in commercial real estate brokerage and development is strong. Recommending Pam to anybody is easy especially after seeing her aggressiveness in evaluating a market and securing the best opportunities within days not months.”

“Pam is a detail-oriented person who is able to bring projects in on time and under budget while maintaining excellent customer service. Additionally, Pam is a skillful negotiator.”

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