How Mentoring Made an Impact to Dallas Division Manager Matthew Pollard
Paying it forward as a mentor to help others succeed is the reason why Matthew Pollard, Senior VP, Dallas, finds his work at KHS&S so rewarding. It wasn’t that long ago, he says, that his mentor, Tom Gibbons, laid the foundation for what has become his KHS&S career, which now spans nearly two decades.
“Investing in mentoring new hires or working with employees promoted from within helps all of KHS&S be the best company it can be,” said Matthew. “It’s so competitive to attract the next generation of talent. Mentoring is one way we not offer just a job, but also the potential for a rewarding career with this company.”
From a very young age, Matthew learned the value of hard work while spending time chopping pesky mesquite weeds on the family’s cattle ranch. At $1 an hour in the hot sun, it was a lesson in perseverance and fueled his passion for the outdoors. Today, his down time often includes fishing, hunting, running, outdoor festivals and relaxing at the beach.
Matthew went to college at Texas A&M, where his dad had graduated and also worked for many years in the Engineering college. Matthew went the construction management route, and one of his KHS&S projects was the $475 million makeover of his alma mater’s Kyle Field Stadium, the largest stadium in Texas.
After graduation, he went to work for a national construction firm. His former employer was working with KHS&S on several projects, and he was intrigued by the opportunity to specialize in a niche aspect of the business. Offered a position at KHS&S, Matthew dove right in working on healthcare, gaming, sports stadiums, hotels, and high-rise student housing projects.
A native Texan born in College Station, Matthew’s businesses connections throughout the state run deep. He makes it a priority to cultivate relationships, whether over a new business lunch with a prospective hire or fishing with a long-time client. As a KHS&S team leader, he sees every encounter as an opportunity to build people up and help them grow, while always pushing beyond the status quo, the KHS&S core value that Matthew keeps in the forefront of his mind.
New talent can be the key that secures a company’s ability to create a solid team and consistently provide top-notch service to customers. “I’m always on the lookout for my replacement to create continuity for our clients,” he said. “It’s critical that whoever holds my job in the future be a good listener, willing to take on the toughest challenges, and be vested in creating success for the company.”
Matthew visits job sites throughout the state regularly to ensure every project is living up to the company’s commitment to do everything better. Just like his mentor showed him how to be successful, Matthew is invested in people, providing opportunity and recognizing performance.
His career with KHS&S has taken him full circle from being mentored and earning his way to mentoring others. It’s a journey that has paved the way for Matthew’s successful career, and continues to lay the groundwork for those KHS&S employees who will follow in his footsteps.
