Building a Career: Project Managers of Rogers-O’Brien

No two careers are built exactly alike.

Jerry Graeber, Shelley Chandler, Megan Barwis, Lilly Kelly, and Nick Rutledge took different paths into project management. Each found ways to build on what they knew, learn from others, and take on new responsibilities. Today, they’re project managers at RO.

Career Paths Into Construction Project Management

Graeber started as a carpenter, completed an apprenticeship, and studied construction business management at St. Philip’s College before moving into estimating and project management. Each step added an understanding of how to build, how the business works, and how projects come together before construction begins.

Chandler came from property management, where she was already managing budgets, working with contractors, and solving problems. An estimator friend helped her see how that experience could translate to construction. She entered the industry in an administrative role before moving into project management.

Barwis grew up working on home projects with her father, then earned degrees in civil and structural engineering. She joined RO as an assistant project manager and worked her way up to PM. Her education provided a technical foundation; working with project teams taught her how to apply it.

Kelly, a PM in Austin, also started in engineering. A design internship helped her realize she wanted a more hands-on role. She joined RO as an intern, splitting her time between Operations and Virtual Design & Construction before progressing into project management.

Rutledge switched from electrical engineering to construction science because he wanted a more collaborative career. Familiar with RO through a project at his high school, he called the main office to ask for an internship in 2015. Since then, he has worked as a project engineer, quality manager, and an assistant project manager. He is now one of several PMs leading Fields West, a multiblock development in Frisco, TX.

What Does a Construction Project Manager Do?

Construction project management takes both technical knowledge and an understanding of people. The PM coordinates contracts, procurement, and changes while keeping the team focused on the project’s requirements and the client’s priorities.

Rutledge describes the role as managing risk around schedule, quality, and safety. He also values staying levelheaded and understanding the different personalities and skills on his team.

A close partnership with the superintendent connects those responsibilities to what’s happening in the field. Barwis emphasizes that both roles need to be invested in schedule and budget. For Kelly, much of the job involves “making sure people have the information and decisions they need to do their work.”

Chandler emphasizes making time in the field to connect the dots and keep communication clear. That means listening and working through problems together. “There is no room for ego in construction,” she says.

For clients, that coordination helps clarify what needs to happen next and which decisions require their input. The PM tracks what needs to be ordered and when, clarifies responsibilities, and explains how proposed changes could affect cost and schedule. Working with the superintendent, trade partners, and design team, the PM helps the client understand the options and make informed decisions.

Career Growth and Mentorship at RO

Growing into a PM role takes practice making decisions and working through problems. At RO, Rutledge gained that experience under the guidance of seasoned builders. He credits Project Director Andrew Smith with helping him develop his judgment.

“Most importantly, he challenged me to solve my own problems on jobs while providing guidance,” Rutledge said.

Barwis points to VP of San Antonio John Archer’s mentorship and the planning conversations that helped her understand the business beyond her own project.

Kelly initially struggled to picture herself as a PM because the leadership styles she had seen did not feel like her own. Working with Senior PM Natalie Sandoval changed that. Watching her make decisions, resolve conflict, and build relationships helped Kelly realize that “you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to be effective.”

In her own leadership, Kelly emphasizes clear expectations, listening to trade partners’ expertise, and following through. It means making sure people know who owns a task, when a decision is needed, and what happens next.

Learning continues through the work itself. On SAISD’s historic Thomas Jefferson High School renovation, Barwis draws on her structural background while working with restoration specialists and the architect. Her technical knowledge contributes to the conversation, alongside the experience of people who understand the building’s historic details.

Helping Others Find a Path Into Construction

Graeber has spent years building his own knowledge and helping others get started.

He has stayed involved in apprenticeship education, taught at St. Philip’s College for seven years, and now serves on the San Antonio Ready to Work Advisory Board.

Ready to Work connects eligible participants with training and employment support across several industries. Its FY2026 report records 8,456 training completers and 5,686 approved job placements program-wide from launch through June 30, 2026. It also lists 331 hires in its construction, trades, and utilities category. For Graeber, creating an opportunity is only the first step. He encourages experienced builders to help someone grow by explaining not just what to do, but why. Training can help someone enter construction. Guidance from experienced builders can help them find their footing once they get there.

For people starting in construction, Chandler’s advice is to seek out the conversations where they can learn from others. “Make sure you sit at every table you can,” she says. Listen when superintendents and trade partners work through a problem. Ask why a decision matters and what needs to happen next.

Careers and Internships at RO

RO’s internship program provides students with hands-on project experience and mentorship, including opportunities to ask questions, understand how a project comes together, and build relationships. It is a chance to put Barwis’s advice to “be curious and be open to things” into practice.

Curiosity, ownership, and a willingness to share knowledge have shaped these PMs’ experiences at RO. If that reflects how you want to work, explore our career opportunities at r-o.com/careers

For students considering construction, learn about RO’s internship program at r-o.com/internship

Ready to Work source: FY2026 Community Impact Report, printed pages 5 and 6. The 331 hires are reported under “Construction/Trades/Utilities.”