Under The Hard Hat with Julio Estrada

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

We sat down with Julio Estrada, a carpenter foreman with Clark Concrete currently working on the 915 Meeting Street project in Rockville, Maryland, to learn about his career. 

Tell us a little bit about your background.

I have been working in concrete construction for 27 years and joined Clark Concrete in 2001. I’m originally from Santa Ana, El Salvador, and have three brothers and three sisters.

Who has had the most influence on your life and why?

Wigberto Hernández and Alfredo Flores are general foremen with Clark Concrete, and I’ve worked for them for most of my career. They have taught me mostly everything I know about my job. They are always pushing and encouraging me to do better, which I really appreciate.

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

I am most proud of working safely and knowing that my crew goes home each day the same way they showed up. Making sure everyone is safe is a top priority.

What do you like most about construction?

I like working with the crew and starting with nothing, and when we are finished, there is a building. Each day we can see what we have accomplished. It’s fascinating to see the fruit of our labor and the amazing final product.

What is your most memorable project?

They are all memorable to me. Each job is different, and that is what is exciting to me. With every project, I am always learning something new and different. That is what I like most about the work that I do.