As we continue to highlight employees who are celebrating significant anniversaries this month, we shine the spotlight on Joe Hayes, a Superintendent who has been with us for ten years. 

Throughout his 35-year career, Joe has worked on many challenging and rewarding projects. When he started at Columbia (during his first stint in 1991), he built a new two-story warehouse facility for Ciba Coring in Walpole, MA. The project was implemented on their existing campus, requiring a highly collaborative team approach since operations ran 24/7. Through the years, the company changed ownership and is now Siemens Healthineers, for whom Columbia just completed a $200+ Million campus expansion.      

What was your path to finding a career in the construction industry? 
At the age of 16, I started as a laborer. After high school, I decided to go to Wentworth Institute of Technology to continue learning about construction. After Wentworth, I landed a job as Field Engineer at Erland Construction, later moved over to Aberthaw Construction as an Assistant Superintendent and eventually lead Superintendent. Throughout that time, I was mentored by the best!

What have you liked most about working at Columbia? 
It has been all about the people.

What lesson did you learn early-on in your career that you still carry with you today? 
Keep things simple. And, if you don’t know the answer, say, “I’ll get back to you.”

Career highlight? 
Working with Joe Cox. Joe was a Columbia Project Manager that I worked with back in 1992. People remember Joe with fond memories and a cigarette in his mouth. Joe and I worked on the Elliot Hospital project together, constructing a new four-story addition. It was the very first hospital job I completed.  

How would your colleagues/clients describe you? 
Intense, dedicated, and helpful

Three descriptors that best describe you.
Father to an 11-year-old girl who loves to dance  |  Good husband  |  Good friend

Special talent or most useful skill? 
Laundry

Favorite summer or winter activity? 
Surfing and surfing

Favorite vacation spot? 
The Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor, Maine

Best concert? Or favorite band? 
Foxboro Stadium in 1976 - Jefferson Starship, Fleetwood Mac, and 3 Dog Night were the headlining bands. That’s all I remember!

Two items on your desk? 
A notebook and Diet Pepsi bottle

Cat or dog? 
When I was young, a dog. Now that I’m older, two cats.

Morning person or night owl? 
Morning person

Outside the office you will likely find me… 
By the Ocean