Spotlighting Our XLers in the Field: Makenna Gitchell

At XL Construction, we take pride in celebrating the incredible people who help shape our projects, our teams, and our industry. Our XLers In the Field series is a dedicated team member spotlight, offering unique insights into our projects and the people who help make them possible.

In this installment, we’re talking with Makenna Gitchell, Assistant Project Manager.

You’ve been with XL since you were an intern studying Construction Management, what inspired you to pursue a career in the construction industry? What do you enjoy most about it?

I first learned about the construction management profession from a volunteering experience at my hometown hospital. I volunteered with several different departments within the hospital and spent a few days shadowing the construction team while they were renovating a wing of the hospital. I was intrigued by the type of work and team dynamic. I thought the problem solving mixed with the social aspects of the job were a good match for my personality. I heard about the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Construction Management program specifically after connecting with some high school friends who were in the program. Through my coursework, I met XL Construction for my internship. I love this industry and our role specifically, as a General Contractor, because it’s such a team sport. I not only love problem solving and fast paced thinking, but I love how projects bring together people from all types of backgrounds and experiences with one common goal.

Who’s someone at XL (or in the industry) who’s had a real impact on you — and how?

I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors at XL and the construction industry. One person who had a particularly significant impact on my career was our (now retired) Senior Carpenter Foreman, Corey Fogal. As a college graduate entering the industry, I believe it’s incredibly important to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and field experience by building strong relationships with the trades. Corey and I worked on the same projects throughout my first three years at XL, and he took me under his wing. He shared countless tips and tricks and practical lessons from his decades of field knowledge. He taught me how to approach conversations with the trades, work through coordination challenges with a “field-first” mindset and earn respect by understanding the work from the perspective of tradespeople. I credit Corey with helping me become so successful in trade management and communication early in my career.

What’s something about your role or XL as a company that would surprise people outside the construction industry?

I think people would be surprised by how much planning and coordination actually goes into constructing a building. It’s not as simple as receiving a set of plans and starting construction. The amount of infrastructure, logistics, planning, and review that goes into every single detail continues to amaze me. I think if more people had the opportunity to spend even a short time in this role, they would have a much greater understanding of why construction projects take so long to complete.

What does “We build to improve lives” mean to you personally?

Working at a company with the mission “We Build to Improve Lives” makes it easy to feel motivated and find fulfillment every day. So far, my projects have included a new, ground-up elementary school, new surgical and ICU units with Kaiser Permanente, the modernizing of K-8 and K-12 schools in Sacramento and a ground up auxiliary surgery center with Common Spirit. It is an amazing feeling to reflect on projects that have already and will continue to bring positive impact and resources to their local community.

If you weren’t in construction, what would you be doing?

I think about this often and I honestly don’t know what I would be doing if I weren’t in construction. I hope that if I step away from the General Contracting function, I can still find a different role within the industry.

OPTIONAL (but fun!)

What’s one word your team would use to describe you — and do you agree?

My team has recently started referring to me as MakGPT because “I always have the answer to their questions.” It can feel like a lot of pressure, but I take it as a compliment and appreciate they feel this way.

Stay tuned for the next installment of the XLers In the Field series!