ENR Southwest's Top 20 Under 40

ENR Southwest's 20 Under 40
Demonstrating leadership in career and community, these outstanding individuals will shape the construction industry for years to come.
By: Scott Blair - January 23, 2012 

The prolonged economic downturn has led to thousands of construction professionals losing their jobs in the Southwest, but that hasn't stopped the efforts of these 20 young individuals to reinvigorate the industry and their communities. This year's Top 20 Under 40 winners are rising stars during an era of transition in which adopting new technologies and integrating services are key to a firm's survival. Many of this year's Top 20 are technologically savvy; their colleagues describe them as 'gurus' or mentors helping to foster the use of new tools and methods.

Success has come to mean different things to each of this year's honorees. To some, it means leading their company during a new economic paradigm. To others, it means balancing their careers with their home life or contributing much of their free time to the betterment of their communities. All have earned the respect of their peers and colleagues, and each of them will be making significant contributions to the Southwest's construction industry.

Nominations were solicited by ENR Southwest for individuals 40 years of age or younger at the time of publication who work primarily in Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico. A total of 42 nominations were received, and they were reviewed by the following independent industry judges: Danielle Feroleto, president/owner of Small Giants LLC, Phoenix; Mark Kranz, principal with SmithGroup's Phoenix office; and Raimund McClain, director of projects with Van H. Gilbert Architect PC, Albuquerque. Kranz and McClain both appeared on last year's inaugural 20 under 40 list.

Criteria included professional achievements and involvement in industry causes and associations; betterment of the Southwest's built environment; and service to the community.

Many of the Top 20 paid tribute to the people who have supported and inspired them. "This award is truly an honor, and I take great pride in being recognized by my colleagues. However, the success of our business is not a result of only one individual's effort," says honoree Ryan Smith of Flagstaff, Ariz.

Jason W. Harrington

Fulfilled childhood dream by running successful family business

37, President/CEO

HB Construction, Albuquerque, N.M.

Harrington's father started HB Construction in 1991 with only two employees, one of whom was Jason. Sharing a one-room office and working side by side on jobsites, Jason Harrington garnered an extensive knowledge of the various construction trades and insight into running a construction business. In 2005 he took the reigns as president and CEO. Since then, Harrington has overseen $240 million in commercial construction projects, the company's staff has grown, a new 10,000-sq-ft headquarters was completed and revenue has increased by double digits. Recently, the American Subcontractors Association of N.M. named HB Construction the 2011-2012 General Contractor of the Year. This past year Harrington worked with state officials to write much-needed revisions to strengthen New Mexico's procurement law. The bill recently passed and went into effect earlier this month.