Watterson Construction: future looks positive; new administration in place.

• Author: Stomierowski, Peg
• Position: VIEW FROM THE TOP

William C. Watterson, president of Watterson Construction, is a commercial contractor in Anchorage with more than 145 projects under the company's belt in the Interior and Southcentral.

WCC, in a joint venture with Davis Constructors & Engineers, is a selected government contractor doing construction work at forts Wainwright and Richardson, and Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Watterson holds a master's in science degree in construction management from Stanford University.

ABM: How do you view your leadership role and challenges?

Watterson: The outlook for the near future is very positive, with the buildup of the Stryker Brigade in Alaska. My leadership role is to oversee an orderly transition of ownership to employees. This process has been initiated with the sale of 25 percent of the company to four key employees. While new owners understand construction operations, work on integrating the financial nuances of a construction business continues. Developing the management personnel to staff projects is challenging.

ABM: How do you anticipate that the 2008 economic crisis, and the government's response, will be felt this year in your business and industry?

Watterson: During the next 12 months (from October), I don't anticipate any impact, as the Department of Defense budget for the coming the fiscal year has been approved. Beyond that ... it seems that the new administration will continue to assure funding to create jobs.

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ABM: How do you try to maintain your firm's competitive edge?

Watterson: Our competitive edge is built on safety, quality, timeliness and cost element. In management: we keep actively involved in projects, including reviews for constructability and cost-effectiveness during design and planning cost-effective systems for the field. In the personnel arena, we strive to promote from within for key positions--especially for superintendents, quality control, forepersons and safety positions, and try to keep turnover low at all levels. And in the training realm, we use the ABC of Alaska apprenticeship program for training of craft workers. Management training includes storm water pollution prevention, green construction, scheduling and safety.

Young people coming into the industry have an excellent work ethic--in contrast to the '70s and '80s--and we build on that. We also value positive trade relationships. We...