With 11.5 years at Beeler Construction and 37 years in the construction industry, Jim Grabowski is a cornerstone of our team. As a Superintendent who started building houses at just 14 years old, Jim’s unique role combines hands-on work with project management. His dedication to tackling every new challenge with skill and enthusiasm embodies what makes Beeler Construction special. Let’s get to know Jim better.
Years with Beeler Construction: 11.5 years
Years in Construction Industry: 37 years – I started when I was 14 – I had summer jobs building houses, siding, roofing, and finish work
Certifications: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, ICRA 8, ICRA 24, Mold Abatement, WHEA Healthcare Construction, CPR & First Aid, Power Actuated Tools
Q. What does a typical day look like in your role at Beeler Construction?
A: The facility I’ve worked at for 11 years doesn’t have a typical day. There is always a new challenge. For years, we’ve worked on various projects that have brought us on-site at all hours of the day. I have a unique role for Beeler at the facility. I do walk-throughs, bid work, run and schedule work, but I also still get my hands dirty!
Q. What drew you to a career in commercial construction, and how did you end up at Beeler Construction?
A: I worked non-union for many years. My dad pushed me to get into the Union. When I joined, I worked for a residential/light commercial contractor doing stick framing and custom finish carpentry. As wood framing went by the wayside, I just rolled with the times and transitioned into more of the commercial side. I ended up at Beeler through a friend I met through my kids. He was a PM in the retail world who had great things to say about the Beelers and the whole company. I interviewed and waited for the call. By happenstance, a drywall subcontractor for Beeler went into the office to pick up plans for a job and saw my application sitting on the desk of the gentleman in charge of hiring, and gave me a great reference. Told the gentleman that he had been trying to get me to work for him and I’d be a good add. I got the call not long after.
Q: What’s the most challenging project you’ve worked on, and what made it memorable?
A: Linac Replacement. It was memorable because of all the challenges that came along with the project. The equipment vault is on the 3rd floor of the building. Both the existing and incoming equipment weighed in at approximately 15,000 lbs. each. This meant that, before the vault refresh was underway, we had to successfully move the old equipment through the corridor and out of the building. The 3rd-floor slab had to be shored to the 2nd-floor slab to support the weight along the path of travel. The exterior window between two buildings was removed to pull the old equipment out. A sled, suspended by a crane, was held a short ½” distance from the exterior of the building as the equipment was loaded and lowered.
The vault where the new equipment would be installed had 3′ thick concrete walls, 6′ thick concrete floors, and a 6′ thick concrete roof. In addition, the concrete floor had an 8′ thick concrete topping slab that had to be cut apart to rework the MEPs and remove the pit in the floor to make room for the new equipment configuration.
This process, outlined above for the equipment removal, had to be repeated to bring the new equipment in.
After all the work was complete and the physicists shot their calibration beam, they found that the concrete roof was not dense enough to stop escaping radiation. This discovery added to the scope of the project. The roof was pulled back, and a 12′ x 20′ area required an additional 1′-0″ of steel plate before re-roofing and completing the job. Sincerely, I enjoyed the challenge of this job; it was great and a lot of fun!
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Beeler Construction?
A: It’s a family business. The Beelers treat everyone as that. They get to know you on a personal level. You’re not treated as just an employee. I also get to work every day with my better half and my son. It’s pretty great to witness their growth and accomplishments firsthand.
Q: What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about commercial construction or your specific role?
A: The industry and technology are constantly evolving.
Q: If you could describe the Beeler Construction team in three words, what would they be?
A: Family, Dedicated, Skilled
Q: Outside of work, what are your hobbies or interests?
A: Riding motorcycles, hunting, time at the gun range, ATVing, and spending time with my family.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I have a tattoo of a manatee as a grim reaper with a snorkel mask hanging from his scythe, who I’ve named Moses. On a vacation in Florida, with the family, we went swimming with manatees in a lagoon. My snorkel mask wouldn’t seal properly and kept filling with water. The water was dark, and while swimming out, one bucked right in front of me, and I inhaled the water from my mask, causing me to basically drown. The guide had to swim out and give me chest compressions to help me finally catch my breath. To make light of the situation, came the birth of Moses — the Manatee Reaper.
Q: Favorite Local Restaurant or Favorite Food?
A: Wild Shots in Plymouth for Fish Fry, Tello’s in Port Washington, but I’ll never turn down a parking lot Taco Bell date with Momma.
Q: Favorite Vacation Destination?
A: Anywhere the family is together, smiling, laughing, and making memories.
Jim’s journey from a 14-year-old summer helper to a seasoned Superintendent showcases the heart of what construction is all about—hard work, adaptability, and a genuine love for the craft. His commitment to Beeler Construction and the family atmosphere he cherishes here is a testament to the strong culture we’ve built together. Thanks for being such an integral part of our team, Jim!