Meet the Team: Chris Knipfel

What do you do at Iconica?
I am a Superintendent. I started in the estimating department and worked there for five years. I have been a superintendent ever since then, ten years total in June.

What led you to the construction field?
I knew from day one that I would be in construction. I can remember being five and having a hammer in my hand.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Keeping everything coordinated on big projects. They can have tight schedules or tricky locations such as a project downtown on State Street.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
I love seeing the end of the project and getting positive feedback from owners. When I drive by the site, I am proud to show my kids what I was part of.

Are you a morning or evening person?
AM

Favorite cocktail or beverage?
Classic Busch Light

What are some ways construction has changed since you started?
The amount of technology that comes into play such as in surveying. GPS has really helped. On the flip side, I would say our schedules are tighter due to technology.
Also, the manpower has really changed since I started. Older people are phasing out, and we are trying to get younger people involved.

How can we help bring younger people into the trades?
Show them how rewarding the job is, how projects go together and pique their interest from early on.

What was your favorite project to work on?
Under Armour retail store on State Street was the most challenging, and I learned so much from it. Doolittles Woodfire Grill was my first ground-up project as a superintendent.

What is something you look forward to every day at work?
Being out on the field. Working with subcontractors and putting it all together.

What would you say to anyone considering working at Iconica?
Go for it. I think we have a great company and coworkers out in the field and in the office.

How does integration work at Iconica?
We are working together with the engineering and architectural team. It can tighten up the schedule because we can get answers right away or have them out to the job site.

Favorite song to sing in the car?
I don’t sing, but I do listen to country music. “96.3” is my station in the morning.

Trip or vacation you would like to take?
I am planning a trip to Hawaii with my wife. It will be fun to get away to somewhere so beautiful.

Do you have a dream project?
Working on a big sports complex such as a football stadium would be really cool.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Hang out with my family, hunt, and fish, or anything outdoors.

What is something you would tell yourself 10 years ago starting out in construction?
Be prepared for growth. Accept technology as it advances.

If you weren’t a superintendent you would be a…?
Professional guide for big game hunting out west.

Fill in the blank.  My mom always told me…?
Put in the hard work.