A Chat with Rick Fisher, Senior Superintendent at Robins & Morton

The constants of safety, change & forward movement

By Chris Maday Schmidt

Rick Fisher is a senior superintendent at Robins & Morton with 35 years of experience in the construction industry. Specializing in healthcare construction, Fisher has been based in Florida over the last two decades. In his role, he collaborates with the preconstruction team throughout the design process to develop the schedule, provide constructability reviews and prepare a site utilization plan. Following preconstruction, he oversees field operations to ensure a clean, safe and orderly jobsite. Join Construction Superintendent as Fisher discusses building in the Stone Age, advice that works on and off the field, what a true mentor looks like and more.

(Q) What motivated you to choose a career in construction more than three decades ago?

Starting around the age of 12 through high school, my brother and I worked for my uncle’s masonry company. I learned so much about the construction industry during that time and learned to appreciate hard work, as well as the result of that hard work.

(Q) Which project in your career stands out the most? Why?

The most memorable project of my career is the recently completed Hope Tower at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami. COVID hit when we were about 60% into the project, so we worked with the hospital and put a plan together to manage our staff through a dedicated access point. Our people did an amazing job of checking, screening, tracking, sanitizing and more, to ensure our site was safe and clean. Around that time, COVID began to spread pretty rapidly across the U.S. and the hospital needed open beds immediately. Through careful planning and communication, the hospital was able to open the second and fourth floors four months ahead of schedule to meet their sudden capacity needs. Overall, we brought the project in two months early and we were all proud of that.

Now operational, the Hope Tower provides South Florida with 228 patient beds, a critical care unit, an intensive care unit, a pharmacy and a central energy plant. It’s also designed to withstand, at a minimum, a Category 5 hurricane with wind speeds of more than 180 miles per hour. Onsite generators can supply up to 21 days of power in the event of an electricity loss, allowing the building to operate as a safe haven, should nearby buildings lose power and utility service. The facility also includes an existing pedestrian bridge connection on the fourth floor, creating direct access between the Hope Tower and the adjacent Miami Cancer Institute building. It’s an impressively designed and built structure.

(Q) With the majority of your jobs being in healthcare, has anything significantly changed in healthcare construction over the last several years in your role?

Everything is changing – from the way we manage our projects to how we manage our people. Technology moves forward and becomes an even more integral part of how we build every day.

(Q) Talk a little about how you earn the trust and respect of your project team, and how that affects the overall results.

Trust is critical. I let my team do their jobs and try to elevate them every opportunity I get. I focus on staying positive, not criticizing or condemning my team. By showing them true and real appreciation, I let them know I trust them and I challenge us all to be better every day.

(Q) What would you say is the most rewarding aspect of your role?

It’s hard to choose just one, but I’ll share my top two. First, seeing young people grow, and not only becoming great builders, but also becoming great people. Second, is the reward of seeing the facility finished and serving the community. My family and friends are often treated at the healing places I build.

(Q) How has the worker and materials shortages impacted the way you do your job? What is Robins & Morton doing to mitigate these challenges?

Shortages can have a real impact on cost and schedule. However, early release and signing of our trade contractors helps tremendously. Our teams are also creative thinkers and stay flexible throughout the construction process, always looking ahead. This allows us to pivot quickly if anything unexpected arises.

(Q) Which advice would you say your crews hear the most from you?

I say, “Be better,” and “Do something kind,” all the time. I don’t look for better workers, I look for better people. Naturally, better people are better workers who show respect to all.

(Q) How do you ensure a safe jobsite?

Safety is #1. Everyone goes home every day. I am extremely lucky to work at Robins & Morton, as I truly believe we are setting the standard for safety. We approach everything positively, working to reward and recognize our team members. By speaking honestly, engaging them and challenging them, it lets everyone know that you care about them. Finally, reminding them that safety is personal – someone is expecting you to come home at the end of the day – is impactful.

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

Technology use and adoption is the single-most significant change of my construction career.

(Q) Is there any one person you would credit for your success in the industry? Who is it?

One of my former managers, Senior Superintendent Phil Sapp, really invested in my career and in me, personally. Phil would make me carry plans up and down the stairs – no iPads or tablets in those days – and we would do layout together. He would always tease me, “If you carry those plans long enough, you’ll learn how to read them right, college boy.” And he was right. Phil was a true mentor. He answered every question I ever asked and freely shared his years of knowledge.

(Q) What on-the-job tool—tech or otherwise—would you be lost without?

I learned to build in the Stone Age, so I don’t think there’s anything I would be lost without. If modern conveniences disappeared, we’d do what we’ve always done – just keep moving forward.

(Q) How do you unwind when you’re off the clock?

I enjoy spending time with my wife, children and my grandchildren. They make my day every day and their love is unconditional. I also enjoy getting in the occasional round of golf.