Melissa Drew is the Founder and President of InSite BUILD, a construction management firm based on Maryland's Eastern Shore that specializes in complex state-procured projects. After 20 years with national contractors including Holder Construction and Gilbane, she started her own firm to bring big-project experience to a smaller, more relationship-driven model. In this episode, she shares how she manages complex projects, builds trust with contractors and owners, and leads a growing startup in a tight-knit market.

Key Takeaways:

• Two extra weeks of planning at the start of a multi-year project can prevent months of rework

• Superintendents need permission to slow down. That permission has to come from leadership

• Trust is built in small moments, not just when the big problems hit

• Hiring for a startup construction firm means finding people who love the work, not just the structure

• When your team is full of introverts, pressure makes them go quiet. A leader's job is to keep the conversation going

Connect with Melissa Drew: LinkedIn | insite-build.com