Ryan Cogley is passionate about the future of the construction industry. Since high school, he knew he wanted to be in construction, though he wasn’t exactly sure of the path to take.
“When I started college, I was pursuing a degree in civil engineering, but after a few years I realized my passion was being out in the field and involved in the day-to-day construction process rather than designing the projects. I switched majors and graduated with a degree in construction engineering technologies,” Cogley said.
After college, Cogley was fortunate to land a job with McCarthy Building Companies, where he also found his unexpected mentor.
“When I started with McCarthy, one of the senior superintendents set aside time to spend with me every day even though he didn’t have to. During this time, he bestowed a wealth of construction knowledge to me that created a solid foundation for me to start my career. Without his mentoring and patience, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Cogley has worked on 18 projects including higher education, transportation, industrial, K-12 and retail markets valued at $978 million dollars. As a licensed contractor, certified professional constructor and LEED accredited professional, Cogley has proven to be a dedicated leader not only for McCarthy but also the industry.
Cogley spends much of his spare time mentoring and educating students from CCSD on career opportunities available in construction. He has worked to implement job shadowing and internship programs for high school students and spearheaded internship and one-on-one mentoring programs for college students.
Cogley also serves as the chair of the UNLV Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Advisory Board. Under his leadership, an Associated General Contractors Student Chapter was created for the first time, allowing students to better connect with contractors in the Las Vegas Valley.