At PDI Drywall, our business philosophy sets us apart. Positivity, communication, and respect form the foundation of our company culture. Committed to excellence, we don’t just meet project timelines— we consistently exceed them.
What exactly is our secret? How do we finish jobs faster and under budget while maintaining a positive company culture?
To answer that you need to meet Hector Montiel, the Vice President and Head of Construction for PDI Drywall. He’s not your typical construction boss. He defines what it means to lead a construction company, and we’re lucky to have him. On the job site, you’ll find him wearing his signature cowboy hard hat. But, he wears a lot of other hats too.
On any given day, Hector is our:
- project supervisor
- subcontractor manager and scheduler
- overseer of quality control
- main point of contact with GCs and superintendents
Hector is a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience working on large-scale multi-family construction sites. While his expertise lies in crafting impeccable drywall, his true talent shines in building bridges between people.
Hector isn’t just our VP, he’s the conductor of our drywall symphony, harmonizing efficiency, teamwork, and excellence.
He’s the drywall conductor.
The Drywall Conductor
Imagine the conductor of an orchestra. They stand tall and confident, guiding their musicians with authority. With their direction, everyone comes together like pieces of a puzzle, blending their sounds into a beautiful melody.
Hector is the conductor of our orchestra. He’s not just orchestrating our drywall and painting subcontractors; he’s leading the entire job site. From framers to plumbers to electricians, when Hector steps in, communication flows.
In our business, large-scale construction projects notoriously lag behind schedule and exceed budgets. When you enter these job sites, you’ll often find that every trade is playing a different tune.
Hector excels at uniting people on the job, whether it’s his own teams of drywallers and painters or other companies collaborating with PDI. He treats everyone like family, fostering a friendly atmosphere that encourages open communication and teamwork instead of competition. By ironing out conflicts and encouraging cooperation, Hector ensures smooth operations and a happier job site. Before you know it, everyone is making music.
Conducting the entire job site isn’t in Hector’s job description, it’s just who he is. He knows that building an apartment complex requires a team— not just one person or company. To complete the job efficiently, everyone needs to flow together. Communication, respect, and cooperation are his most valuable tools. He carries them around in his tool belt, seamlessly incorporating them into every project.
If you stop by one of our job sites, you might even see him wearing a shirt with “Drywall Conductor” printed on the back. Along with his cowboy hard hat, you can’t miss him.
Positivity Prevails: How Hector Turns Challenges into Success Stories
In 2023 a national transformer shortage left all our projects without temporary power poles, forcing us to rely on generators for power. Our general contractor supplied enough generators for all the trades on the job— a seemingly easy fix. But one trade started showing up early every day and claiming them all, causing negativity and chaos.
Thankfully, Hector stepped in. He didn’t just solve the problem, he transformed the atmosphere of the job. By talking to the generator hoarders, he uncovered the root issue: their equipment was overpowering the generators, causing them to short out. The solution? They needed stronger generators, which the GC happily provided. Suddenly, the chaos was eliminated and harmony was restored.
Hector saw the bigger picture. Instead of conflict, he fostered unity. Large-scale projects hinge on collective effort, where each trade plays a vital role. Without Hector’s intervention, the conflict could have been prolonged for weeks.
Building Strong Relationships Starts at the Top
Our positive company culture isn’t just about making work enjoyable— it’s a recipe for efficiency, allowing us to operate at peak performance. We prioritize building strong relationships, ensuring that we always have top-notch subcontractors on board.
Thanks to the bonds we build, we never worry about manpower shortages. Our subcontractors are excited to work with us, knowing they’ll be treated fairly, compensated well, and that every project will run smoothly. It’s no wonder our subcontractors prefer to work with PDI.
Strong leadership is the cornerstone of our success. With Hector at the helm, we’re primed for growth. We attract the industry’s most dedicated drywallers, painters, and general contractors. People want to work with us because they know we get the job done with wider profit margins. We execute swiftly and exceed expectations.
Back in 2022, our schedule slowed down due to supply chain issues. This kept Hector from doing his usual rounds and catching up with everyone. When we returned to the job site the reaction was unanimous— everyone was overjoyed to see him. Framers were swinging from the roof, yelling his name. Plumbers and HVAC guys came running out, smiling and waving. The reaction was a testament to his unparalleled ability to connect with people.
Building a Strong Company Culture With Hector Montiel
Having encountered toxicity in the construction industry, I understand the significance of working with someone like Hector. His mastery of the craft of drywall is like watching a master musician perform— he’s a true artist at work. He’s a rare blend of managerial expertise and drywall skills.
I take just as much pride in our company culture as I do in the quality of our work. In an industry often characterized by cutthroat competition, our job sites stand as beacons of collaboration and respect. Through open communication and kindness, we navigate challenges effortlessly. It’s a philosophy that should be applied to every industry. Talk to each other. Respect each other. Get the job done and call it a day.
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