07 Sep Richard Gibson Retires
Commercial Interiors wants to congratulate and thank Richard Gibson for 27 years of service, sweat, and excellence. Richard started his career by walking onto a job site, looking for work. Now he is walking off as a Site Manager with a legendary resume that graces the DMV skyline. I spoke with Richard at the Johns Hopkins Student Center site, one week before his final shift.
How would you describe Commercial after being part of it for 27 years?
Commercial is a family. Everybody looks out for each other. We support one another 100% and that’s what it takes. It takes team effort to get everybody moving in the same direction. When you do that, you’ll wind up with successful projects.
As we walked through the massive lobby of the building, he regaled me with the details of the job. “This might be the most complicated job I have ever done” he told me, pointing up at the perfectly spaced baffles hanging from the ceiling. I was looking around, marveling at the size and scope of the work. “Every room is a little bit different” he said as we walk through a commercial grade kitchen on the way to the dance studio. “Oh, I can certainly see that.” He called it complicated. I call it “detailed.”
How did you start at Commercial?
I started at Commercial in 1994. I was working at Ravens Stadium for a different subcontractor at the time. The day I got laid off, I was walking out of the stadium and ran into [now president of Commercial Interiors] Milton Matthews. He said “No, you come right back here on Monday. I’ll give you a job. I need you here.”
What was your favorite job site?
My favorite job site would be Holy Cross Hospital. It was a very neat job. It was a new building along with a renovation, all run together, and it was just a lot going on and very detailed.
What does it feel like now that you are leaving the job?
Feels like I’m leaving a bunch of friends and family. It’s exciting, but it’s kind of sad. I mean, because… this is home to me. I know everybody in the office pretty much. Tons of people throughout the field. It’s like taking a vacation and leaving your family behind.
How would you want people to remember your work here?
I think I’d like them just to remember my work ethic. Anything worth doing is worth doing to the best of your ability. You give it 110% every day. Hold no punches and share all the knowledge you can because you can’t take it with you.
Any knowledge you would like to share with younger employees?
Take your job seriously, pay attention, and learn everything you can because nothing you learn is ever wasted. It always comes back into play down the road somewhere. You’d be amazed at the little detailed things that you learned 30, 40 years ago that still apply today.
Is there anyone you would like to give special thanks to?
Yeah. I’d like to give special thanks to Milton for having faith in me, giving me the opportunity to do things that I’ve done, having the confidence that I can handle the projects that he threw my way, and supporting me throughout my whole career here. It’s really been a big reason why I’m here. I’d like to give thanks to Mark Sheppard who has been a tremendous asset here on this project. He has been a great help with bringing this thing to a close because this was a beast. We were working all phases at the same time and constantly falling back to do extra changes and repairs. It was just a massive number of things to keep up with. It was too much for one person. He stepped right in and did a great job.
Do you know what you are going to do next?
I’m just going to relax for a while. Take care of my to-do list at home. Catch up on a few things that I’ve been neglecting.
How late are you going to sleep in now?
Oh, I’m going to sleep in. I don’t know how late I can sleep. I’m so used to getting up early. I’ll try and sleep until at least 6 o’clock.
Anything else you want to say to the Commercial family?
Yeah. I love you all and I’m going to miss you. Don’t be surprised if I drop in now and then just to holler.
Richard, thank you again for your work ethic, leadership, support, and friendship. We wish you nothing but the best in retirement!
by Dan Glennon