Leadership Corner: Chuck Read
Interviewed by Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
Name: Chuck Read
Age: 53
Title: Executive project director, Fluor Government Group
Organization: Fluor Hawaii LLC
High school: Foothill High School in California
College: Bachelor of science in construction engineering, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Breakthrough job: Serving as engineering manager for a combined cycle power facility in Hanover County, Va., which at the time was considered the largest independent power project in the United States. "It had a lot of technological innovations to it and a lot of European suppliers, so I got to travel to Europe a lot," Read said.
Little-known fact: About 20 years ago, Read developed a proposal to restructure Social Security through privatization, similar to what President Bush is pushing now.
Major challenge: "With any job, it's having a vision and understanding the risks inherent to the job, understanding what the responsibilities are, then having a plan for executing it," Read said. "I don't think this job is any different. The nature of the job can be different ... but those are the basics to management."
Book recently read: Read is reading "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul" by John Eldredge. "It's a Christian book that speaks to men," he said.
Hobbies: Kayaking, bodysurfing, skiing, playing volleyball and spending time with his family
Mentor: Longtime friend and pastor Pete Henderson. They were best buddies growing up in South Orange County, Calif. "He's just an inspiration because everyday he's looking to serve," Read said. "He just has a passion to serve."
Q. You are heading the first major renovation to Ford Island in 60 years at a cost of $83.9 million. What does the project entail?
A. Mainly, we're just building infrastructure for future development on Ford Island. As part of this project with our partner Hunt (Building Co. Ltd.), we will be building about 400 housing units on the island ... The real purpose of the project is to promote future development of Ford Island by building infrastructure.
Q. The construction is expected to provide a peak work force of 400 jobs through 2006. Will most of these jobs go to local workers?
A. Fluor is a huge company; we do $10 billion a year. We could do all the work ourselves. But we committed ahead of time that we would subcontract all engineering and construction. So 100 percent of the work has been subcontracted to companies that have an existing presence in Hawai'i.
Q. Why is that important to Fluor for this project?
A. We saw the importance (of) not being perceived as a large Mainland contractor coming in and taking jobs away from locals. So we were trying to be sensitive to the need for local jobs. We just committed that we would not take them away.
Q. You earned an engineering degree. Did you always want to be an engineer?
A. I always wanted to be an architect, so I always knew I wanted to go into this field. Why I wanted to be an architect, I don't know; my dad was an engineer. When I got to Fluor, I knew I wanted to be a project manager. And I had the opportunity to do sales and other things, but I always knew I wanted to run projects. It's fun. I like it. Part of being a leader is being a visionary and a planner. That's the front end of the job. I have a real passion for kicking (projects) off and having a vision ... In my career I've been lucky that in virtually every job that I've done, I got to do the proposal, negotiate the contract and execute the job. That's been fun and rewarding.
Q. Is that the best part of your job?
A. Well, the most rewarding part, and the reason I was really drawn to project management — and I know this is a cliche — is working with the people and the friendships you create.
Q. This is your first time managing a project in Hawai'i. Anything unique about working here?
A. The unique part of the project is the business structure, that it was really a land swap of underutilized property in exchange for services. It's my first job — not the company's — for a government agency. So for me a personal challenge was to understand what they want us to do, their practices and procedures, their way of doing business.
Q. In your 30 years with Fluor, you've worked at sites all over North America. Now you're based in Hawai'i. Do you miss traveling?
A. I've traveled too much, and you're always fighting for balance in terms of doing the job and having time with family. I made it a priority. I'd get to work by 3:30 in the morning, whatever it took, so I could get home in time for dinner. I rarely worked weekends. But I did travel a lot. So I took red-eye flights at night. If I had a meeting in New York, I might get up and leave at 10 at night, fly all night, have the meeting, then fly back that night so I could minimize my time away from home. I just had a career doing that. I just put it as a top priority to maintain time with family ... But the great thing about Hawai'i is that I'm not traveling as much anymore. I used to be gone almost half the time, but rarely weekends. I've always managed to find my way home for weekends. I love everything about Hawai'i, the people are great, I'm a beach kid, and I love the beaches. But one of the best things is I don't have to travel as much as I used to.
Q. Is Fluor looking at other projects in Hawai'i?
A. We sure hope so. We really do have a long-term focus ... I want to stay, so I'm looking for more work, absolutely.
