Colorado Real Estate Journal -
Never has Steve Meyer’s work at Shaw Construction been only work. Instead, it’s been a 30-year adventure. “I loved working at Shaw from day one,” said Meyer, president of the general contractor, construction management and design-build firm. “For most of my career there has been little difference between work and play. If you enjoy what you do, it’s not ‘work.’” And it’s the fun he has leading Shaw Construction that keeps the Greeley-raised Meyer dedicated to his and the firm’s mission of satisfying the client. “George (Shaw) had a whole different philosophy for construction when he started this firm in 1962. It was and is a relationship-based, teamoriented company about working collectively with the owner, architect and consultants. It is the philosophy that I have adopted. From the biggest to smallest client, it is about servicing the client and creating lasting relationships.” Longevity isn’t only unique to Shaw Construction, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, but also to Meyer, who notes along with his three decades with the company, he’s been married for 33 years, lived in the same house for 23 years and has flown the same plane for 20 years. While he says these lasting relationships are part of his personality, admittedly, when Meyer started out in the business, it didn’t appear that way. Meyer spent two years at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., until his eyesight precluded him from being a pilot. Since that goal was unattainable, he transferred to Stanford, where he graduated with an engineering degree. After graduation, Meyer worked “long enough to know my forte was not sitting behind a drafting board,” and at various positions in Southern California, Washington, D.C., and even Saudi Arabia before returning to Colorado. It was from this standstill in his career that Meyer first discovered he liked the satisfaction of building, he recalls. Meyer started working on the Western Slope in the late 1970s, building basic housing and seeing his salary plummet to $12,000. But it was there – and working for a commercial developer in Grand Junction – that cemented his passion for the industry. Yet the economic woes of 1982 left Meyer without a job, stuck in the unemployment line with a second baby on the way. “It was pretty tough times back then. But even so, guys still had enough money to go get a beer,” said Meyer, who noted one of those guys mentioned he had applied to Shaw Construction for a project manager position. Somewhat in desperation, Meyer decided to call the firm too. Two months later he got a call back and pumped up his resume to look like he knew what he was doing, Meyer laughed. It worked and in October 1983 Meyer was hired as a Western Slope-based project manager for Shaw Construction – and it’s only employee in Grand Junction. “I was desperate for a job. Back then it was very tough times and there were not a lot of jobs floating around,” said Meyer. “Luckily, I get offered this job, in Grand Junction, doing something I want. Then George asks me if I’d learn to fly so I can efficiently get to and from the projects. Years before, I had to choose between an engagement ring or flying lessons. I chose the engagement ring. So when I was offered all this, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I hit the jackpot.” Meyer also credits luck in his ability to grow the Grand Junction office, which he noted ironically under his leadership didn’t do work in Grand Junction for 15 years, but was heavily involved in Aspen’s renaissance. “It was really a fortunate time to be in Aspen,” said Meyer. “Our work really launched the Western Slope location and built our reputation as a resort builder.” Shaw Construction’s work in Aspen included the renovation of Hotel Jerome and construction of Little Nell Hotel and the Grand Aspen Hotel. It also was Meyer’s work ethic in Grand Junction that led to him being named president in 1995 – a position with challenges the manager within Meyer relishes. “Fifty years for a company creates a lot of legacy and responsibility for us to make sure we have work for our employees. We have a lot of mouths to feed,” said Meyer. “The most challenging aspect today is the constant pressure to find the next project, to keep our people employed. It’s not a consistent business, it always is ebbing and flowing.” Through the ups and the downs, Meyer’s golden rule remains from day one of a project to be an advocate for the owner because a successful project provides good value over the long term. And while he doesn’t get to realize the first-hand satisfaction of working with clients as a project manager, as president he finds reward in seeing the success of others and still loves being able to look back at the tangible results that building brings. Above all, Meyer credits his success to being able to attract talented people around him. “Our business is all about people and our success is predicated on individual successes. It’s nothing I’ve done personally except try and create opportunities that are engaging to our teams. And I wouldn’t of had much of a career without the steadfast support of my wife, Anne. She is a saint to put up with me and accept the long hours and travel away from home.” Meyer, who still commutes via plane from his home in Grand Junction to Denver and projects throughout the region, is an avid mountain biker, as well as enjoys mountaineering, including high-altitude climbing, camping and, of course, flying. He and his wife have three grown children and one grandchild and are actively engaged in nonprofit work in Grand Junction. He also served on the first board trustees of Colorado Mesa University and is still engaged with the campus. Above all, Meyer’s passion remains his work that isn’t work. “I’ve always said if you aren’t having fun at work then do something different. Luckily I haven’t had to. My career is very satisfying and I’ve been given great opportunities all along the way,” said Meyer. “I love the people I work with, the work isn’t drudgery and it’s always challenging.”