Sundt Construction, Inc. is pleased to announce Ted Aadland as an area manager in the Northwest. Based out of Portland, Ted will help grow the company while overseeing existing projects and procuring new work in Oregon, Washington and the surrounding region. (Learn more here). Since Sundt believes that our people are the core of what we do, we wanted to get to know our latest addition. We recently spent a little time talking with Ted, and this is what we learned.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It changed many times over the years. My dad made me clean up his construction projects on weekends, so the last thing I wanted to do was go into construction. I remember that I had a yearning to go to sea – I wanted to be a captain of a ship someday. But alas, I went to work for my father in the construction business after high school and soon realized it was what I was meant to do.
What is your favorite book?
Either “The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cooking” or “The Devil in the White City.”
When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?
With my family! I was blessed to marry the love of my life – she wears many hats: wife, mother, lover, nurse, business partner, cook, and best friend. We have two daughters and two grandsons. We ski, both snow and water, and we love to travel together.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
I have received great advice from a number of very smart people about life, family and religion. The best advice I have received about the construction business was that we are in the people business, and managing and motivating people is our primary job. We then use their talents to build.
What is your proudest professional achievement to date?
Serving as the national president of the Associated General Contractors of America was a great honor and a privilege.