From Carpenter to Cornerstone: Celebrating Scott Steiner at O'Shea
In late 1994, Scott Steiner had just finished up a carpentry role in the White Oaks Mall remodel and found himself laid off. Soon after, he was sent by the Carpenters Local 16 to work on an O’Shea Builders’ project at Hospital Sisters Health System’s administration building.
From the moment Scott stepped onto his first O’Shea job site, he noticed something different.
“The workplace at O’Shea was much friendlier to employees – and still is today,” Scott reflects. “Other contractors I worked for before O’Shea were much more demanding of their employees.”
The positive workplace culture drew Scott in, and over the next 30 years, he became a key part of the O’Shea team. As Scott prepares to retire in November, we thank him for his decades of service and congratulate him on this life milestone!
“Scott has been a great asset not only to O’Shea Builders but to the Building Services Division; I’m fortunate to be on his team,” says Jeff Jarrett, Director of Building Services. Jeff has worked with Scott since the beginning of Scott’s career at O’Shea, first in the field together for many years before moving into their current roles.
Being a smaller company at the time, Jeff recalls how their team had the opportunity to take a building from start to finish - lay out the building in an open field, pour the footings/foundations, frame the walls, sheathing, set the roof trusses, hang the drywall, and set the doors, casework and trim before handing over the keys to the owner.
“We were blessed to work with guys who were great teachers and skilled carpenters, and we were taught to be well-rounded craftsmen ourselves,” Jeff shares.
Scott agrees. His favorite part of the job has been the camaraderie and fun on each unique project.
“The best part of my job is getting to work with so many excellent tradesmen and tradeswomen from a multitude of different trades and building bonds with them, whether those bonds be just in the workplace or personal,” he says.
Over the last 30 years, the growth of O’Shea “has been nothing short of incredible,” Scott says.
“From a small office on 10 1/2 Street with four people working in it to a small mill shop with three additional people and a warehouse run by one guy, it’s astonishing to see what O’Shea is today,” he says.
As O’Shea expanded, so did Scott’s career. In 2010, when the Building Services Lead Carpenter position opened up, Jeff knew Scott was the perfect fit.
“This position requires someone who has great knowledge in every aspect of the construction field, and someone who can communicate well with our clients,” Jeff says. “It also requires someone with patience and creativity, and someone who can ‘think outside the box’ as we get into unusual projects sometimes.”
Scott’s leadership will be hard to replace, but we’re grateful for everything he’s contributed to O’Shea Builders. And as for Scott’s plans after retirement? He’s keeping it flexible for now.
“Eventually, I hope to travel with my wife and see the country,” he shares.
Congratulations, Scott, and thank you for your hard work and the many memories you’ve created here!
Written by: Courtney Westlake