Arturo Sanchez is a project manager for Raymond’s Southern California region, responsible for leading his assigned projects from preconstruction through completion. Arturo began with Raymond in 2016 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Cal State University Northridge.
Currently, Arturo is working through preconstruction on two Raymond projects, Wisteria Warner Center in Los Angeles and USC Keck Medical Office Building in Pasadena, as well as the construction of SVB, a social club in Santa Monica.
We sat down with Arturo to learn more about him and his time at Raymond.
What does a typical day look like for you? If I am lucky enough, I get to see my wife and kids in the morning even if it is just for a couple minutes to tell them I love them and to have a great day. On my commute to the office, I start making phone calls to the project foremen I am working with to make sure we stay in constant communication, talk shop, specifics, and see if there are any action items. At the office, Jesse Huskin (Raymond Project Engineer) and I get together to monitor tasks, new business, and develop a plan of attack. The day depends on what the day demands (field needs, pricing, budget, billing, meetings, engineering, precon, etc.).
Currently, I’m working on a few projects where some days consist of precon, vetting, budgeting, engineering, and coordination, and other days consist of heavy pricing with new bulletin sets, schedules and RFI’s.
Are there any challenges on your current projects, and how are you overcoming them? Each project has its unique set of challenges, whether it is design, schedule, sequencing with other trades, the list goes on. The key to overcoming the challenges is identifying them early on and working through them as a team. If there is communication, all challenges are just obstacles to hurdle over.
Can you tell me about your education? I have a Construction Management degree from Cal State Northridge. That is also where Raymond Project Manager Taylor Leach and I became buds — We crushed every group project together.
I had started a junior college and was studying architecture, then changed to engineering, psychology, criminal justice and landed back in construction. A good friend of mine that went to CSUN for Civil Engineering told me about the construction management program. When I decided that was it, I applied and never looked back.
What do you like most about working in construction? You are part of a team — And I’ve had the pleasure of working with the best of them. Every project is unique, and it is something to be proud of.
What has been your favorite project with Raymond and why? The Westin in Anaheim. It is a 4-diamond resort, and we did the exterior scope with a variety of different finishes and 30,000 yards of plaster.
Variel Senior Living in Woodland Hills is another favorite because Raymond did the structure. It was a load bearing project that was panelized at our warehouse and shipped to the jobsite for installation. There were a lot of moving parts, variables, and coordination that we overcame, not only internally, but with the client as well. It was one of the toughest projects I’ve been on, and a great team to be a part of.
Are you working on any personal passion projects? Working on my fitness again.
What’s the best thing about your job? Working with a great group of people, building awesome projects and the sense of accomplishment after one is completed.
Do you have any advice for other project managers or those just starting their careers? I’ve enjoyed getting involved in the industry. I am part of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) Emerging Leaders Program, class of 2023-2024. Our peer group spans from companies coast to coast and we meet monthly via online platforms. We have also met at AWCI conventions/conferences through 2023 and 2024, the next one being at AWCI Build 24 in Orlando in March.
What do you like doing when you’re not at work? Anything competitive. A while back we started a Raymond softball team and won the championship in our 1st season.
From there, Raymond employees Jose Galvan, Gilbert Ortega Jr., and myself started a AAA adult league baseball team (fast pitch). There were about 8-10 Raymond players mixed with family and close friends. We were lucky enough to win the championship in our first season and played for about three seasons after.
Fast forward to recent hobbies, pickleball and getting back into weightlifting have been the main ones.
Favorite thing to do? Go to the park and play with my kids.
What inspires you? I have always been self motivated and goal driven, and that stems from (and the credit goes to) my parents. As I’ve grown over the years, I’ve realized different forms of inspiration come in phases throughout your life. However, the beginning and the end remain the same; family is the ultimate inspiration for me. I am blessed to have a beautiful wife, and two beautiful kids that give me an infinite source of inspiration to last a lifetime.
What is something people are often surprised to learn about you? That I can speak Spanish. And that I used to be 25 pounds heavier back when I worked out.
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve done? I have gone skydiving twice. Once with my best buddies and the other time with my younger cousin because none of his friends would do it.
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? My family.
