For Jay Danner, a career in construction wasn’t something he planned; it was something he discovered. While studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington, Jay found himself drawn to hands-on problem solving through his role as housing manager in his fraternity. Coordinating repairs, managing vendors, and leading teams sparked a passion for project management and collaboration.

“That experience showed me I enjoyed working with teams and solving problems,” Jay recalls. “Some friends in Construction Management suggested I give it a try, and once I went on job walks, I was hooked.”

Jay started his career with Hermanson as an intern, gaining valuable on-the-job experience while finishing his degree.

“During my last year of college, I was able to extend my internship and work while attending school,” he says. “That experience helped me understand the full project process, from preconstruction through completion.”

Following his graduation, Jay joined the Critical Environments Group (CEG), where he worked on large-scale, technically complex projects for data centers and healthcare facilities.

“CEG was a great place to build my foundation,” he says. “I learned how to manage challenging schedules, coordinate with multiple trades, and deliver projects that had no room for error.”

Later, he transitioned to sales, gaining a new perspective on client relations, proposal strategy, and business development. “Spending time in sales helped me see the front end of projects differently,” Jay explains. “It taught me how early decisions shape the entire project and how important communication is in setting up a team for success.”

That experience eventually led him back into operations, this time as part of the Special Projects Division (SPD), where he could merge his technical background with his client-facing skills. Today, as a Senior Project Executive, Jay leads teams through complex tenant improvement projects for major tech clients, ensuring projects run smoothly from proposal to completion.

What Jay enjoys most, though, is the human side of construction. “I really enjoy mentoring younger project managers and helping them grow,” he says. “It’s fun to see how they approach challenges differently and to coach them through the process. I also love the client side of what we do, building relationships and promoting Hermanson in a collaborative, people-focused way.”

When asked what advice he’d give to someone starting out, Jay keeps it simple: “Spend time with the field teams. They’re the experts on how things actually get built, and seeing that up close helps you understand the work, appreciate the craft, and decide if construction is right for you.”

Whether he’s leading a client meeting, mentoring project managers, or walking a job site, Jay’s approach is rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and a respect for the people who make construction possible. His story is proof that the best careers aren’t always planned; they’re built one opportunity, one relationship, and one project at a time.

Interested in starting your career in construction? Learn about our internship program on our careers page!