A Chat with John Mathias, General Superintendent at Blach Construction

Family, friendships + faith foster foundation for success

By Chris Maday Schmidt

John Mathias, general superintendent at Blach Construction, joined the company in 2012 as a superintendent. A 45-year construction veteran, he’s a key member of the Field Operations Management Team, in which he oversees all of Blach’s superintendents. Additionally, he comes from a long line of tradesmen, dating back to his great-great-grandfather, and is described as a natural-born leader. Join Construction Superintendent as Mathias shares his introduction into the trades more than four decades ago, what he wish he knew when he first started out and words of wisdom for the aspiring superintendent—plus a couple little-known facts he imparts with readers.

(Q) You come from a long line of tradesmen. Share a bit about that and how it informed your career path in the industry.

I have always been interested in building things, but along with that comes the fact that I always wanted to be like my dad. He had his Contractor’s License and was a superintendent for a commercial construction firm. Additionally, my grandfather and great-grandfather were both master craftsmen. In fact, my great-grandfather, Herbert J. Morgan, was a famous gunsmith who participated in the World’s Fair in the 1930s. Building and craftsmanship runs in the family, and while I didn’t think I’d pursue it as a career, here I am.

(Q) What is something you wish you’d known when you first started out in the industry?

I didn’t realize how rewarding it would be. And it has been, on several levels. Not only do I love what I do, literally having a hand in taking a building from a drawing on paper to a full-scale, three-dimensional structure, but I am thankful for the people I’ve met along the way. The fascinating, life-long friendships I’ve established over the years have been awesome.

(Q) Talk about how you build team-wide rapport with your crews.

The most important aspect of building team-wide rapport among my co-workers and crew amounts to continually earning their respect and trust. I do this by getting to know them personally and modeling good behavior—working hard alongside them, being honest and direct, as well as fully supportive. I want them to know I always have their backs.

(Q) As a 45+ year construction veteran, your background includes a variety of project types. Which stands out as the most memorable? Why?

There are so many examples, but what stands out most are the different types of challenges that I have faced on individual projects—and there have been many.  Some projects had greater safety implications—even beyond what is considered normal, as construction in and of itself is hazardous. Other projects had serious schedule constraints. Regardless, many of the projects I’ve worked on have been rewarding, not just for me and my team, but also for my family.

Over the course of my career, I’ve had the good fortune to build underground tunnels, high-rise buildings, run point on a very high-end private office/tenant improvement project for a well-known, local businessman, and oversee construction of an entire campus for a Silicon Valley technology firm.

(Q) What have you found to be the key to mentoring and developing everyone working on your jobsites?

The key is first creating a true friendship that develops into a partnership where you come to rely on each other. Once a shared understanding and high level of mutual respect is established, you continue to build on that as you tackle the complexities and stressful situations that often accompany a construction project. I love this part of my job. Sharing what I know and learning from others is a great feeling.

(Q) Of all the projects you’ve supervised, which provided the biggest challenge(s)? How were these challenges mitigated?

Construction as a whole is a challenging and complex industry that is driven by budgets, schedules and quality—and meeting—or exceeding all three simultaneously. Specifically, though, I was involved in a beautiful historic church project that had been partially destroyed by fire. Rebuilding and preserving it was a massive undertaking. Not only did it involve a lot of pre-planning, creative thinking, open communication and hard work, as I recall, it also included a lot of prayer as well.

(Q) What would you say are your biggest strengths as a general superintendent?

As general superintendent for Blach, I would have to say my strengths stem from a combination of things. First and foremost, it is the experience I’ve gained throughout the years that has come from being in the trenches, surrounded by some of the greatest craftsmen who exist. I’ve also learned a great deal from the challenges I’ve faced and the mistakes I’ve made, accepting these as important lessons that have enabled me to grow. Also, patience, listening carefully, responding thoughtfully and my faith go a long way in this job.

(Q) How has your focus on jobsite safety changed in light of the pandemic?

Safety has always been a factor and focus on all of my projects but, as we’ve navigated this pandemic, attention to safety has both been strengthened and stretched at the same time. Most of our projects were deemed essential, so we pivoted very quickly, implementing new protocols that enabled us to continue working together to persevere. We have learned a lot over the last year and it is remarkable to me how resilient our teams are.

(Q) What is the biggest change you’ve witnessed since beginning your career in the trades?

A lot has changed in 45+ years but I’d say the two significant changes that have positively affected construction include technology and materials. Expanded use of technology, from lasers to smartphones, has enabled greater efficiencies with regard to control, precision and communication. And, a lot of the materials we now use, whether it’s steel, metal or even some of the finishes, are more durable, stronger, lighter weight and have better weatherization.

(Q) Which tech tool makes your job easier, and why?

My computer! Honestly, I never thought I would need one but boy was I mistaken. And now I would probably add my smartphone to that list, too. These devices have streamlined communication, enabled more effective collaboration and really assisted with documentation, all of which are key to successful project delivery.

(Q) What words of wisdom would you give to the aspiring superintendent?

The path to becoming a superintendent will be paved with a lot of hard work, but it will be rewarding. You will be challenged along the way, but you will be a part of a team and have the opportunity to work with some highly skilled, talented people, too. Don’t rush things—there’s always enough time. But don’t procrastinate either. You’ll see better results when you’re proactive and not reactive. I absolutely recommend this career.

(Q) How do you like to spend your free time?

I love spending time with my family, playing golf, traveling, exploring my faith and giving thanks to the Lord.

(Q) What is a little-known fact about yourself that you’d like to share with Construction Superintendent readers?

Well, on the professional front, I didn’t want to go into construction, but I’m glad I did—I love building. (Although I did a little acting, too.) From a personal perspective, I love playing golf and coaching baseball. And while he’s done all the work, I’m proud to say my son is on the roster of the Milwaukee Brewers.