From the Ground Up
Dylan André, Patriot Deep Foundations
Dylan André is a lover of the outdoors, so it makes
sense that he would get into a job that allows him
to work outside. With a degree in construction management
from Louisiana State University, André has worked in
construction since graduating in 2012, but is new to the deep
foundations industry.
“I didn’t get to work in deep foundations until I came to work
for my current company, Patriot Deep Foundations, which was
only about a year and a half ago. So, I’m pretty fresh,” he said. “But
I absolutely love it.”
Coming to work for Patriot may have been an easy decision for
André, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any hesitation. Patriot
had just formed their deep foundations division and André was
very up front about his lack of knowledge. Yet his boss, Patriot
Deep Foundations president Kevin Gourgues, encouraged André
to take the leap.
“It was scary to say yes to the deep foundations opportunity,”
said André. “I said to Kevin, ‘Man, I don’t know anything about
this.’ And Kevin said, ‘Look, you ain’ got a thing to worry about. You
sit next to me and I’ll lead you to the promised land. I’ll teach you
everything I know and you’ll learn from the people around you.’
And that’s exactly how it’s been the last year and a half.”
It’s clear that André is grateful for every learning opportunity
that comes his way, no matter who it’s coming from. As project
manager and estimator, he works with many different types of
people. But he’s always willing and open to learning from everyone,
which he feels is an important aspect of being successful at
the work he does.
“I don’t look at it like there’s a hierarchy and the superintendents
that I work with work for me. Those guys know way more than I will
probably ever know. It’s been fun learning the ropes from people
who have years of experience and know what they’re doing.”
André knows that his knowledge base wouldn’t be where it is
now without several people who have set aside the time to help
him learn.
“There have been people along the way who have taught me
so much about construction and how to manage it and how
to work with people. My boss, Kevin, and Richard LeBlanc,
our construction manager, and all of the superintendents that
we have as well – they’ve all really taken me under their wing
and taught me everything they know about construction and
deep foundations.”
One thing André has learned from his colleagues is the importance
of networking within the industry. Even though he’s the
new kid on the block, André has gotten right into networking by
becoming the secretary of the PDCA Gulf Coast chapter – even if it
wasn’t exactly his idea.
“Obviously, being new to deep foundations when I came here,
I didn’t even know what PDCA was,” he said. “Kevin has been
involved for a long time. We went to a meeting together, and he
said it was a good way to learn the industry and a good way to
network. Deep foundations is kind of a niche, so everybody knows
everybody. So, we went to the meeting and I had a good time and
met a lot of people, putting faces to names and things like that.
Then later that year, at the fourth quarter meeting, Kevin kinda
By Jess Campbell
CAREER STORY
When André has spare time, he’s always outside, hunting or fishing, if the
season permits
Photos courtesy of Dylan André
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