This is taken from the first “I AM ZACHRY article, written by Monte Thompson in 2008. Monte had been with Zachry for many many years.

As a child I always wanted to build something. It may only have been a hut made out of sticks and boards, but I took pride in what I accomplished.

On my 19th birthday I took a job as a boilermaker’s helper with a major construction company building a power plant in a neighboring town. Although I had few skills of my own, I was fascinated with the work. I can recall one welder who everyone respected because he was considered to be the best. I decided that I wanted to be like him — the best.

I began my career with Zachry as a pipe welder at the Mayo Power project in Roxboro, N.C. This is where I honed my skills not only as a welder but as a fitter too. I worked with experienced craft workers who became great mentors for me.

During the next several years I worked as a boiler welder at the Virginia Power project in Chesapeake, Va., as an air quality control system foreman at the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) Power project in Clover, Va., as an air quality control system general foreman at the Hyco project in Roxboro, N.C., and as a pipe general foreman at the Rockingham Peaker project in Reidsville, N.C.

One day, my supervisor asked what I was looking for in a company. I said, “A company who will work as hard for me as I will for them.” That’s what I’ve found with Zachry, and it led me to where I am today — a general field superintendent and a proud member of the Zachry family.

I’ve seen first-hand the dedication Zachry has to its employees, constantly looking for people who want to learn and advance their careers. They offer programs to help with the transition from one project to the next. And they encourage people like me to help others get to the journeyman level. It’s been a long and rewarding journey, and that’s why I’m proud to say I AM ZACHRY.