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In the dynamic world of construction, where talent is the cornerstone of success, Thomas Construction Group has been on the move, actively participating in career fairs at colleges and universities across North Carolina and beyond. Ellie Cura, our Talent Acquisition Specialist, has been the driving force behind our presence at these events, ensuring that we consistently attract, recruit, and retain top-tier talent. As Ellie recently wrapped up her summer of ‘23 career fair tour, she took the time to recap her experiences and share some exciting moments with the rest of our team.
Navigating the College Landscape
One of the key aspects of our career fair strategy was the selection of which schools to attend. This choice was primarily made by which universities have a strong construction management department and have a connection to Thomas through our current talent, including Auburn University, North Carolina State University, East Carolina University, and Appalachian State University.
Standing Out
Career fairs have a multitude of industry partners vying for students’ attention. To make Thomas stand out among the crowd, I implemented several strategies this year –
Lessons Learned for Continued Success
I’ve learned how important it is to be proactive during the fast-paced environment of career fairs. To ensure success at each event and to streamline the hiring process, I always make sure to grab resumes and take detailed notes during conversations with students from various backgrounds and graduation years.
Nurturing Future Talent
One of the most significant indicators of success has been Thomas’s ability to find and recruit future employees and interns at these events. I can proudly say that several interns who were recruited from past career fairs are now full-time Thomas employees, some of whom have progressed through the ranks and are now on to their third promotion within the company!
As we continue to invest in talent pipeline strategies, these experiences and insights serve as a testament to our commitment to remaining at the forefront of the construction industry. Success at events like these not only reflects our team’s dedication to finding the best talent but also showcases the vibrant and engaging workplace that Thomas Construction Group has to offer. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey to build a stronger, more skilled workforce for the future. #AlwaysBuilding
As Controller, Jennifer manages all company-wide accounting and human resources activities, while managing the firm’s operating budget. With decades of accounting & financial experience for Thomas and other notable contractors, Jennifer leads the daily internal finances within Thomas.
Jennifer Noland
Controller
As President of Thomas Construction Group, Chris Reid is dedicated to creating a company where employees and clients alike flourish under our Core Values of Team, Improvement, Excellence and Service. With over 30 years of experience in Construction Management, Chris utilizes his knowledge and that of his peers to drive strategic success and growth while delivering best-in-class results. Chris serves on the leadership committee of the Cape Fear Country Club, the Surf Club and Eden Village and is actively involved and invested in the future of Wilmington.
Christopher N. Reid
President & Cheif Operating Officer
Jill has been an integral part of Thomas since the company’s founding year in 2005, with over three decades of industry expertise. As Marketing Director, she drives the Thomas brand forward and solidifies our position in the market, while ensuring that the company’s marketing efforts are consistent with and supportive of Thomas’s overall strategic plan.
Jill Sullivan
Marketing Director
Katie Seidel brings 17 years of diverse HR expertise across industries such as construction, property management, and IT services. With a focus on talent management, benefits administration, and professional development, she is dedicated to cultivating a thriving organizational culture.
Katie Seidel
Director of People & Culture
Mike joins Thomas with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry and a proven record of producing accurate budgets, implementing management processes, and building teams. His decades of preconstruction and estimating knowledge, along with a strong skillset of managing and leading teams, lends itself to creating seamless experiences for Thomas’ clients. Mike splits his time between Wilmington and Raleigh, where he resides with his family.
Mike Pritt, LEED AP
Preconstruction Director
After successfully leading project teams within the healthcare industry for over 15 years, Chris Thorn relocated from the Pacific Northwest to Wilmington, NC in 2022. His industry experience ranges from K-12 to mixed-use projects, but his expertise lies in healthcare, having worked on various multi-million dollar projects throughout the years. Hailing from one of the world’s largest general contractors, Chris brings a valuable perspective to the leadership team and will serve an important role as he leads and develops the Healthcare sector.
Chris Thorn, LEED AP
Project Executive
With nearly 25 years of experience in leadership roles for both Thomas and other regional contractors, Tony is highly skilled in project and team management. His expertise spans various project types, including senior and assisted living facilities, continuing care centers, condominiums, apartments, and specialty commercial projects, establishing him as a prominent operational sector leader.
Tony Datena
Vice President / Project Executive
Bruce has decades of Financial Advising and Accounting experience and served as Thomas’ Chief Financial Officer from inception in 2005 until 2023, when he transitioned to Managing Partner. In this role, he is actively involved with strategic planning for the company and advises on a wide manner of business matters, working closely with the CFO & COO.
Bruce Chappell, Jr.
Managing Partner
Since joining Thomas in 2006, Roger has strengthened our construction core by providing nearly 40 years of construction industry experience. As General Superintendent, he is responsible for all field staff and subcontractor relations, quality control, safety coordination, and client satisfaction. Roger makes frequent job site visits to review project progress, schedule, compliance, and quality. He is recognized as one of the most respected General Superintendents in our market today.
Roger Connor
General Superintendent
Vince is an industry leader with more than 38 years of experience, ranging from estimating and buyout to project manager and project/firm executive. His aggressive cost control measures, dedication to team, and approach to project relationships has created a successful track record of on time contract completions. As VP – Operations, Vince is responsible for supervising and controlling all strategic and operational aspects of the company while providing risk management of the firm’s construction operations.
Vince Tryer, Jr.
Vice President – Operations
As a well-known community leader, Jim brings more than 30 years of managerial and executive level professional business affluence to Thomas. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for Novant Health/NHRMC as Chairman and as 1st Vice-Chair of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. As EVP, Jim is responsible for the growth and implementation of corporate business development, marketing, preconstruction and owner-contract activities for Thomas.
Jim Hundley, Jr.
Executive Vice President
