Beau Gajdica Celebrates 10 Years with APEX Group

Beau Gajdica joined Corporate Floors, an APEX Group Company, as a project manager in October 2012. We recently asked Beau to reflect on the last 10 years and share some of his fondest memories and biggest lessons learned.

1. What do you remember about your first day on the job? 

I was looking to make a move from my existing position at the time, so I spoke to my long-time mentor, David Douthit, who was CFO of Corporate Floors and is now CFO of APEX Group. He and CEO Thomas Holland met with me on several occasions, and I was involved in the negotiations when Corporate Floors acquired Wilson Flooring Solutions and brought over the team from there. That made me even more excited and nervous about our first day here. I remember meeting everyone and getting a good feeling about the people I was going to be working with. Looking back, it was a great decision for all of us I think.

2. How has your job changed over the years?

In the beginning, I mainly worked with the team that I came over with at the time. Today, I’m involved more with the company as a whole, and I’m exposed to all of the different divisions within it. I have never been involved with a company that was so diversified and makes such a commitment to local charities like APEX Group. Thomas Holland has always made giving back a fun part of the environment here.

3. What do you like most about your job? 

I like the management of the high-profile jobs we have been involved with. We’ve worked with Mark Cuban, Charles Schwab and Dickies Arena. I also enjoy the extremely creative projects like the MRI facilities at Children’s Health, where all the design work and jet cutting tested the talent of everyone on the team. It brings out a lot of pride when I look back at these projects and know we were such an integral part of them.

4. How would you describe the company culture? 

The company has expanded rapidly since I started here. It has always had that small, family company feel, but now, thanks to its diversity and expansion, it has a lot of the benefits of a much larger company.

5. What has been your biggest achievement or success in your time with Corporate Floors?

I would have to say the training of some young new hires like Mitch Sackett and José Dorado. It has been very rewarding to watch them grow into their respective positions and experience the success that comes with it.

6. What has been your biggest lesson learned in your time with Corporate Floors? 

Not to get too technical, but I’ve learned about the importance of floor prep between existing concrete and new concrete where a project has both and the approach we need to take to testing and treating core cuts in concrete subfloors. That’s basically a gap or a gray area in the scope of work that we have to watch out for.

7. Do you have any favorite memories from your time with Corporate Floors? 

I would absolutely have to say my favorite memory is winning the very first President’s Award. To be considered and recognized by the company for such an award was deeply appreciated.