Meet Carlos Torres-Degro

Meet Carlos Torres-Degro - Superintendent and this month's Hard Hat Hang-Up feature.

Carlos is the perfect example that it's never too late to make the switch from office to field. After receiving his degree in Mechanical Engineering and starting at a design firm, he found himself visiting jobsites on his free time to learn more about field operations. With a background in construction from his father, who was in the industry in Puerto Rico, and his education in engineering, he made the switch from his design position to the field. Carlos explains, "that happened 26 years ago and I still love what I do." Carlos loves the challenges and responsibilities that come with being a Superintendent and being a part of a team.

When he's not on the jobsite, Carlos is spending time with his family. Carlos and his wife of 25 years enjoys traveling to different countries and learning about other cultures. They also frequently travel to Puerto Rico, where their families and friends still live. Read below to learn more!

1. What got you into the construction industry?
I got into the Construction Industry due to what my father taught me. My father was a Construction General Foreman and later was a Sale Representative of the major Construction Raw Material supplier in Puerto Rico. He was a great teacher and he transmitted all of what he knew about construction to me and my brothers. After I completed my BS In Mechanical Engineering, I started to work for a design company, but during my free time I visited the field to learn more about field operation. My construction background and my engineering knowledge gave me the opportunity to change my design position to a field position. That happened 26 years ago and I still love what I do.

2. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I am a family guy - I like to spend quality time with family, especially with my wife of 25 year. We enjoy traveling to different countries and learning about other cultures. Also, we frequently travel to Puerto Rico, where our families and friends still live.

3. What do you like most about being a Superintendent?
The challenge and responsibilities of being part of a team that help to schedule and execute a project that you received in papers and transform these ideas in a reality.

4. What has been a rewarding/memorable moment in your career?
In 26 years of a career you can choose a lot special moments, but all them have something in common - the satisfaction that you have when you completed a project and you can say “I was part of the team that made this possible on time and correctly”

5. Any advice for someone entering the industry?
Construction is highly competitive industry. Everybody have to be open to learn new things every day. No matter what your position is, you must be proud of what you do, be a team player and always do your best. Good communication and respect to everybody always is the key.