In this episode of Leading Voices in Real Estate, Matt Slepin sits down with Jeffrey Hoopes, President of the West Region for Suffolk Construction to explore how the general contracting business is evolving and what it means to lead, build, and eventually pass the baton in a rapidly changing industry.

This episode marks a first: a deep dive with a senior executive from the general contracting world. Jeff shares hard-earned perspective from decades in the field, reflecting on the pace of technological adoption in construction and why meaningful change requires both context and skepticism, not just excitement for the latest shiny tool. He explains how the sector is modernizing while staying grounded in fundamentals: safety, craftsmanship, relationships, and the patient discipline required to build complex, lasting structures.

The conversation also turns deeply personal and surprisingly candid as Matt and Jeff discuss leadership transitions, retirement vs. semi-retirement, and the emotional and strategic challenges leaders face when letting go. Jeffrey offers a thoughtful look at reinvention and purpose beyond the CEO chair. Matt shares his own experience approaching “semi-retirement,” and the two explore how leaders can prepare themselves and their organizations for succession with grace, clarity, and long-term vision.

Whether you're in real estate, construction, or leadership at any stage of your career, this episode offers wisdom, laughter, and grounded insights from two industry veterans. Tune in to hear how the business of building—both structures and careers—is changing, and what it means to lead well across a lifetime.