This month, we celebrate the anniversary of Mark Hanscom, who has been with Columbia for 20 years.

Mark is highly skilled, with over 35 years of estimating, scheduling, and cost analysis experience. As a Senior Estimator at Columbia, he has worked on hundreds of projects throughout New England, mainly focusing on interior renovations. Some of Mark’s most notable clients include Amazon, Microsoft, Twitter, Uber, WCVB-TV 5, Chiofaro Company, Berklee College of Music, Boston University, MIT, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

What was your path to finding a career in the construction industry? 
My first job was in construction, and I never left. In high school, I started working for a small construction company remodeling houses. I continued working in construction during my college years, installing fire protection sprinkler systems. For several years after college, I worked as a field engineer, learning  everything about building. After, I transferred into the office and have been working on estimating ever since.

What have you liked most about working at Columbia? 
The people, the atmosphere, and the opportunity to witness and assist in all aspects of the construction industry.

What lesson did you learn early-on in your career that you still carry with you today? 
If you are honest and work hard, you will be appreciated and have a successful career.

How would your colleagues/clients describe you? 
Hopefully, honest, trustworthy, hardworking, and dependable.

Favorite summer or winter activity? 
I enjoy being outside in the summer months with friends and family, spending my time relaxing, and having a good time. I am not a winter person. I do not enjoy the cold.

Cat or dog? 
A dog – but it must be larger than a cat to qualify. My favorite type of dog is a Lab.

Morning person or night owl? 
Definitely a morning person. Work, chores, errands – if you can get them all done at the beginning of the day, then you have the rest of the day to enjoy and relax, with no worries.

When not at work, you will find Mark spending his time with family and friends. He is not shy about helping someone out with a project or running an errand. In fact, at Columbia’s annual company cookouts, you will always find Mark cooking up a storm behind the grill. He is our go-to guy – for cookouts or cost estimates. Thanks, Mark, for everything you do. Happy anniversary!