Joseph Miller, Nevada area manager for Fisher Industries, has been at the center of some of the biggest road projects in Southern Nevada — the U.S. 93 widening project between Boulder City and the Hoover Dam, projects along Interstate 15 near the Strip, a paving project at the state line, and the Ascaya mountainside home development in Henderson. He spoke with VEGAS INC about the challenges of working in Southern Nevada and the rewards.
How did you get into excavating and paving? What do you like about it?
I grew up in Minnesota and have always enjoyed being outside and playing in the dirt. I started working at the age of 12 in the family business. When I was old enough to drive, my mom told me to get a real job, so I started drilling water wells for another local business.
During my college years, I worked for a consultant engineer doing surveying, geotechnical exploration and inspection.
It took me awhile to understand how to transform the plans engineers developed into finished projects, but through time, I found I had quite a knack for it. After three years, I was transferred to Las Vegas to manage three projects for the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
It was challenging to continually learn new aspects of different areas in my industry, including earthwork, rock, large steel pipe, mechanical pipe, instrumentation, electrical, and structural concrete. Even more challenging was to balance the management of staff on each project.
Later, I worked for Frehner Construction on jobs such as the northern beltway, Ann Road, Simmons Street, Charleston Boulevard, I-15 Sloan to Blue Diamond, Caltrans I-15 at Stateline, and a beautiful development in Park City, Utah.
The position I was offered at Fisher Industries was remarkable and something I am very grateful for. They had just been awarded a private development in Henderson named Crystal Ridge, which turned into a massive $200 million-plus project consisting of over 15 million cubic yards of rock, rockery walls, underground, curb, gutter, sidewalk, complete water infrastructure and all other elements involved in a complete residential development.
My enthusiasm for this work can be summarized in this one statement: When we (the construction crew) are completing a job, it is all about a team effort. But when the job is done and we are driving down the road with our friends or family, we are proud to say I built this road. The jobs we do evoke a sense of pride, pushing us to build and work to the best of our abilities. This sense of ownership ultimately results in projects that we can all be proud to call our own.
What has been your most challenging local project? Why?
My most challenging job was the U.S. 93 Boulder City widening project — milling and paving the existing surface, blasting solid rock, managing and expediting subcontractors, and opening the 5.5-mile stretch of roadway in just 68 days.
Let’s just say there were a lot of sleepless nights.
You are working on the Ascaya Development now. What challenges have you encountered?
The project itself was massive. There is over 1,000 feet in elevation difference from the bottom of the project to the top. There are valleys and mountains that are practically vertical. Transporting water to where we needed it was difficult, but getting personnel and heavy equipment to these areas safely was even more of a challenge.
Although there were a few bumps and bruises, we are pleased that the project was a success. It truly is one of a kind.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
When the market was good in Southern Nevada, it was challenging to keep up with managing three to four projects at a time. When the market softened and the economy downturned, it became challenging to manage traveling to jobs with my family here in Las Vegas.
The industry has changed since the boom. Skilled workers are harder to find, and training is more time-consuming and labor intensive.
What has been the most rewarding part of your job?
Making my family proud. Driving around town, asking my 13-year-old, 9-year-old and 6-year-old, “Guess who built this road?”
My children are nice sometimes and say, “Daddy did it,” but then they are more honest the next time I ask, and say that Uncle Mike did it (Uncle Mike is Mike Scronce, Fisher Sand & Gravel Nevada operations manager).
Describe your management style.
I don’t only focus on managing my own personality and needs. I try to manage my employees’ personalities and expectations in order to make our relationships mutually beneficial. Managing personalities doesn’t mean that we need to be confrontational; we just need to find a common goal and work together to accomplish that goal. My main objective is to assist my staff in successfully completing the project at hand while having fun, making money and receiving positive recognition in the end.
What is your dream job, outside of your current field?
Starter at a golf course. I want to be the old guy that gets up early, smells the freshly cut grass, sips his coffee, and gives all the young ones hell all day. … Just like my Grandpa George.
Whom do you admire and why?
My Nevada operations manager, Mike Scronce. I asked him to leave Frehner Construction after working there for over 18 years to come work for me at Fisher Industries. Mike took the chance and has been working for Fisher ever since.
He was away from his family for more than seven years, working in Reno on the I-580 extension project, was able to stay in town with his family for a brief time after, and then had to leave again for another project.
I know I’m not the only one who appreciates all that he does and sacrifices for the company. If you were to know Mike, you would know what it means when John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”
What is your biggest pet peeve?
When people interrupt and talk over someone else, and when people think they are better than someone else and act accordingly.
What is something that people might not know about you?
Minnesota is a great place to be from, but, even I’ll admit it’s cold there. But hey, it’s a lot better than Wisconsin and the fishing/hunting is, too.