After dozens of years in the Field, Roadway Electric’s Anthony Carson Embraces a New Challenge.
After more than four decades working in construction in the Phoenix area, Anthony Carson was preparing for retirement. Instead, he decided to take his career in an entirely new direction.
Anthony, an office engineer with Roadway Electric, a subsidiary of Pulice – a FlatironDragados company, spent 43 years working in the field, including approximately 17 years with Roadway, before trading job sites for an office.
Nearly a year into his new position, he's still learning. And that's exactly what makes the experience rewarding.
"It's been very challenging, and still learning," Anthony says.
A Career Built on Experience
An Arizona native, Anthony built his career through hands-on experience rather than formal construction management education.
Before joining Roadway in 2008, he owned and operated a sawcutting business specializing in asphalt and concrete cutting and core drilling. When the great recession hammered his business, he turned to Roadway Electric, an organization he already knew through years of working alongside Pulice.
After several years of superintendent and project manager positions at Roadway, Anthony began considering retirement. But as it turns out, he wasn’t going to ride off in the sunset quite yet because an office engineer position opened.
"I thought, 'Well, instead of retiring, maybe I'll just see what life is like inside,'" Anthony says.
The decision wasn't easy. He had spent his entire career in the field and knew the transition would require him to develop new skills.
But he decided to give it a try.
A Different Perspective on Construction
Today, Anthony manages a wide range of responsibilities that help Roadway Electric's construction teams deliver their projects.
His work includes monthly billing, purchasing, coordinating deliveries, managing project submittals, processing purchase orders and supporting accounting operations.
The position also gives him a different perspective on the construction process.
In the field, Anthony received equipment and materials and focused on installation. Now, he coordinates the purchasing and delivery of those same materials, a responsibility that requires him to understand details he previously didn't need to consider.
Traffic signal cabinets offer one example. While he understood how the equipment functioned in the field, purchasing the individual components presented an entirely new challenge.
The transition has reinforced an important lesson: Experience doesn't eliminate the need to keep learning.
The experience has given Anthony a greater appreciation for the coordination required to keep projects moving.
"It's rewarding to see everything come together and know I played a part in getting it out to the field," Anthony says.
Teamwork Makes the Difference
Anthony says his daily responsibilities can be highly demanding, with numerous tasks competing for his attention.
His solution is simple.
"Write everything down, no matter how small it is," Anthony says. "You never know that one small detail might raise its head again."
He also credits his colleagues for helping him navigate his new responsibilities.
"I think the Roadway team has few issues communicating with each other," Anthony says. "We trust that we're going to get the right information, and we're going to get it figured out."
Advice for the Next Generation: Think Ahead
Anthony's decades of experience have shaped a practical philosophy about what it takes to succeed in construction.
His advice to employees beginning their careers goes beyond working hard.
"Do your work, and beyond that do great work, but look ahead," Anthony says.
He encourages employees to anticipate what their projects will need next rather than waiting for someone to give them instructions.
That mindset helped him advance throughout his career, from working in the field to running his own business and eventually taking on his current role.
Anthony also believes employees should make time for interests outside work.
An avid golfer, bowler and lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, he enjoys spending time on the golf course with friends and participating in bowling leagues and tournaments.
"Find a release somehow," Anthony says. "Don't take work home with you if you don’t have to.”
For Anthony, the move into the office represents more than a change in responsibilities. It demonstrates that professional growth doesn't have to stop after decades in the industry. t of the news detail page