A Conversation With ... Laurie Luna

Flintco’s Springfield office is one of nine regional offices located from Memphis, Tenn., to Sacramento, Calif. The Springfield office commenced operations nearly seven years ago.

Specifically, what is your job?

I am the project manager for multiple construction projects at any given time, and I assist in training our other, younger project managers and engineers. I also help with estimating and bidding when there is additional help required.

Why did you decide to enter construction professionally?

My dad was an engineer for DuPont’s construction division and used to take me to his job sites when I was young. I always liked building things and found Legos and Lincoln logs more exciting than dolls.

What are some of the biggest challenges in your work?

Looking ahead to anticipate possible problems or issues before they hinder the projects. Also, following up with subcontractors and suppliers. You can’t assume that your vendors will automatically perform as is required to make a project successful; you have to be sure they are looking ahead and taking care of business as well.

What do you most enjoy about you work?

The change. While each project follows the same basic procedure, each one is different and offers its own unique issues. And you have to continue to be creative and inventive to have a successful project. What works on one may not work on the other, and the obstacles and contract issues vary from job to job.

What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned professionally?

Listen to what others have to offer and continue to learn from people. What we learn from our subcontractors and suppliers makes us better project managers. Treat your subcontractors and suppliers with respect and fairness. Make an extra effort to help them or make their jobs a little easier. This will come back to make your job easier in the long run. Develop a professional attitude and perform to the best of your ability so you earn the respect you deserve. It’s not automatically given to you. And return all your telephone calls. You don’t want to be known as someone who doesn’t return their calls.

Tell us about your family and what you do for fun.

My husband, Larry, and I live in southern Christian County and we have three adult children, Megan, Blake and Ryan. Megan is married to Patrick and they live in St. Louis, as does Blake. My other daughter, Ryan is in college in Fort Worth, Texas. Larry has been a Missouri attorney for 30 years and is currently running for associate circuit judge in Christian County. We have nine horses, two dogs and four cats. My husband, daughter and I raise and show Missouri Fox Trotter horses.