Employee Highlight: Ryan LaBonte
Position: Construction Inspector
Years at S.W. Cole: 16
Ryan LaBonte began at S.W. Cole as a Construction Services Technician and has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth and earning professional certifications. His willingness to learn and take on new challenges has earned him multiple promotions, and he now serves as a Construction Inspector. In his current role, Ryan performs advanced or specialized observations, inspections and testing on commercial projects, transportation projects, and municipal infrastructure projects.
We asked Ryan to share how he got started with this career, what he has learned along the way and what he enjoys about his work.
From Craigslist to a new career
When Ryan was laid off from a land surveying job during the 2009 recession, he found an advertisement for a position at S.W. Cole through Craigslist. He answered the ad and is still here about 16 years later!
Every day is different
When asked to describe a day at work in three words, Ryan answered, “Never the same!”
Ryan notes that jobsites are very diverse, from a small housing development to a bridge or roadway; each project is unique. He enjoys interacting with the different people who he meets on projects and learning about the different trades involved with construction.
Taking pride in his work
Ryan enjoys seeing the building projects that he has been involved with come to fruition and knowing the role he has played in building the communities that we live and work in.
One of the most memorable projects that Ryan has been a part of was working on the Club Motorsports racetrack. It’s a premiere 2.5-mile course described as a “ribbon through the woods.” It was a unique project in a beautiful setting and Ryan found it interesting to watch the construction process as it was being built. Now that it is complete, Ryan is proud to see the result of all the work that went into this project.
Continuous growth
Ryan shares that S.W. Cole has assisted him in his professional development, supporting the work-related certifications, seminars and sponsorships that he has been interested in. Although the choice of what certifications to pursue is dependent on the needs of the firm and our clients, Ryan has found that there is room for him to focus on areas that interest him as well.
Sharing what he has learned
When Ryan was asked about what he has learned working here, he found it challenging to narrow down his answer because he has learned so much in his tenure here. A couple of things that stick out to him are to be honest and to trust S.W. Cole, the firm will support you and back you up.
Ryan has also learned to “enjoy the ride.” There have been many moments during his career when he has found himself at a jobsite thinking “this is awesome” or “I love my job.”
For those interested in pursuing a career in materials testing and inspection, Ryan advises that on some projects materials testing technicians and inspectors are welcomed and appreciated, but on other sites you may be seen in a more negative light, as a person there to identify deficiencies. He has some advice for those entering this profession, “Stick to your scope of work, know your role on the jobsite and report to the appropriate parties prior to departure.”
Ryan regularly shares information with newer staff members, giving them any tips, tricks and valuable information from sites that he has already been on that they may be able to use to their advantage when they visit the same site.
Living our values
When asked about what our firm’s core values mean to him, Ryan answered, “To me the company’s core values mean that I am committed to the projects that I am assigned to with integrity and a focus on quality, leading our clients to have information that they can trust and utilize.”
Ryan believes in doing what’s right, always striving to be his best, and putting his best foot forward.
Living life to the fullest
Over the years, Ryan has found a variety of ways to have fun and build relationships at work, including participating in a winter ski race team and hosting morning breakfasts or afternoon cookouts at the office.
Outside of work snowboarding is Ryan’s “all-time favorite thing to do!” He also enjoys disc golf, camping in all four seasons, and traveling with his wife.