Under the Hard Hat with Forest Podva

At Clark, we are proud to be made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and talents who thrive and succeed together. Our “Under the Hard Hat” series is designed to showcase the diverse perspectives of those who make up the Clark team.

We recently sat down with Forest Podva, a superintendent who joined Clark 7 years ago, to learn about his background, his role at the company, and his career path to construction.

What is your role at Clark? What are your responsibilities? 

I am currently a superintendent on the New Sacramento Courthouse project. My responsibilities include supervising, managing, and planning the day-to-day operations of our structural trade partners in the field.

Tell us a little about your background and how you ended up at Clark.

My family had a huge influence, particularly my mother and grandfather. My mother is a broker and general contractor and she has remodeled hundreds of homes, while my grandfather was an architect and general contractor – a true design-builder – of custom homes in Southern California.

While pursuing my bachelor’s degree in construction management at Sacramento State, I got my first internship with a joint venture partner of Clark, where I got to learn about two different companies at the same time and was inspired by the leadership of both. Upon graduation, I received an offer from Clark, which I gladly accepted and have been with ever since!

What are you most proud of accomplishing, either personally or professionally? 

As a kid, I was always fascinated with tall buildings and dreamed of building skyscrapers, a dream that has come true with Clark. I am most proud of being part of the team who built the tallest building on the West Coast, the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco. 

What, if any, obstacles did you overcome to get where you are today professionally? 

Our industry is particularly stressful, and one challenge has been dealing with anxiety. Being on top of your game, especially as a young project engineer and assistant superintendent, is demanding and sometimes can be all-consuming if you let it. Especially on projects with demanding schedules, effectively managing stressful triggers has been crucial to growing into a field leader.

What is the key to becoming a successful leader in the field? 

For me, the two biggest keys are anticipation and communication.  Plan for issues that may come up so you can minimize any impacts on the schedule and trade partners. 

Communication is crucial to keep everyone on the same page, and a huge part of communication is listening. People want to be heard, so if you take the extra time to listen to what others have to say, I have found people will respect and listen to you more as well. 

What occupies your time outside of work?

I spend most of my time with my fiancé, who is a project manager with Clark, and our dog, Jax. We enjoy exploring our new Midtown neighborhood in Sacramento, visiting family and friends, travelling, and hiking. 

I was also recently elected to the board of the Sacramento Construction Management Education Foundation (SCMEF), which focuses on enhancing students' learning and involvement with the industry at my alma mater, Sacramento State University. 

What advice do you have for someone looking to start a career in construction/design management? 

Keep a curious and open mind! Ask questions – even the “dumb ones” – and don't be afraid to bring up issues, be an impact team player, and buckle up to enjoy the wild, rewarding ride.