Constructing Chicago's Skyline During COVID-19 with Michael Meagher, President of James McHugh Construction Company

On this episode of Real Estate for Breakfast, host Phil Coover is joined by President of James McHugh Construction Company Michael Meagher. Many of the buildings that make up the Chicago skyline were constructed by McHugh, including the Vista Tower, which is now the third tallest building in Chicago. Phil and Mike discuss what it was like to build the Vista Tower during the pandemic and how COVID-19 has impacted the construction industry, from material shortages and labor challenges to enhanced safety protocols. In addition, they discuss the 100 Club of Chicago, which provides much needed immediate relief and support to the families of deceased first responders. Michael Meagher is directly responsible for the overall strategic direction and vision fulfilment for James McHugh Construction Co. Additionally, he reports to the Board of Directors of McHugh Enterprises. He oversees all general contracting activities and associated operations. Starting in the industry as a summer worker for four consecutive years, Meagher took an immediate liking to jobsites and seeing a project from start to completion. Immediately out of college he was hired at James McHugh Construction Co, as an estimator with the company. For over 30 years he exemplifies the company culture of loyalty, promoting within and client satisfaction. He works closely with the company’s senior management team in developing accountable project teams that are empowered to make decisions on the project site to eliminate bureaucracy and provide a seamless project experience. Eliminating obstacles and providing support to project teams is a cornerstone of the management teams’ approach.Meagher is dedicated to maintaining strong working relationships with clients, ensuring that McHugh’s storied reputation for delivering quality construction solutions is upheld.As part of his successful strategy of building lasting client relationships and staying on the cutting edge of construction trends, Meagher has led McHugh’s development of a long-term partnership with the U.S. Navy at its Great Lakes Naval Station. He spearheaded the company’s design-build efforts for the $62 million MCPON Plackett Manor Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, whose success spurred the Navy to designate it as a prototype for design-build programs. Since then, Meagher also led a McHugh team to its creation of a design-build program for the Navy’s cutting-edge Battle Stations 21 training simulator.Meagher has been with McHugh his entire post-collegiate career, starting as an assistant project engineer/estimator, responsible for quantity and labor estimates for rehabilitation and interior projects. He then became a project manager, overseeing retail, office, and healthcare projects. Later, Meagher was asked to set up and manage a marketing department for the firm. As business development manager, he developed target markets and led sales and marketing efforts focused on large, complex construction projects, often in the $100 to $500 million range. Meagher became an officer of the firm in 1997.During this time, McHugh recognized the potential for great opportunities overseas and construction offices were established in Moscow, Russia and Prague, the Czech Republic. From Chicago, Meagher directed the Eastern European sales and marketing efforts, earning their first major client, Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group. He then helped develop a stand-alone sales and marketing office in Eastern Europe. Although the company concluded its Moscow operations because of a failing Russian economy, it maintained many of the corporate relationships Meagher helped build.Meagher also spearheads corporate goodwill efforts for McHugh, including the firm’s pro bono construction of the Special Olympics Eternal Flame of Hope Memorial, Ford Heights Little League Baseball Field, and the Chicago Youth Program headquarters. He has served as chairman on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, the board of Catholic Charities of Chicago, and Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. He currently serves as president of the board of the 100 Club of Chicago, and president of the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors. Meagher also serves on the board of McHugh Enterprises, Inc.For more information, please visit http://mchughconstruction.com/.