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Monte Thurmond has opened 30 sports venues over 45 years at AECOM Hunt. And there is one experience that just never gets old.
“There is nothing like standing near the front door and watching families walk into a new sports venue for a concert or a game,” says Thurmond, AECOM Hunt’s executive vice president and chief operating officer of the south region. “Seeing those kids look up at their parents with that excited look, walking into this brand-new space to experience something exciting, it’s just the best.”
The EVP still channels that excitement in the way he talks about his job, even after all these years. That seems to be part of Thurmond’s magic. The executive radiates a charm that feels genuine. You get the feeling he speaks the same to his CEO as he does to a construction worker bringing one of AECOM Hunt’s massive builds to life. He jokes a lot, but you can tell how much he loves what he does. The fact that that flame hasn’t seemed to dim at a career approaching 50 years demonstrates a passion we all hope to find.
Not bad for a guy who almost went to med school.
Thurmond’s connection to AECOM Hunt began when he was a senior in high school. After a year (and having completed a construction project), his plans for medical school went by the wayside.
“Being here, I immediately got the same kind of feeling that I had gotten from playing team sports,” Thurmond explains. “Everybody needed to play their role. You cannot accomplish anything solely by yourself. I saw that in the construction process early on, and it carried up into the rest of the business. I fell in love with helping people work together to achieve a common goal, one that had a critical definitive end date. I still love it.”
“Seeing those kids look up at their parents with that excited look, walking into this brand-new space to experience something exciting, it’s just the best.”
Monte Thurmond
The roles and focus have shifted over decades, but from the way Thurmond talks about it, the specifics never seemed to matter all that much. The EVP reframes a question about his favorite project over the years: Despite end products that become both local and national landmarks, Thurmond seems to be the kind of person whose favorite project is whatever comes next.
“We’re obviously known as the major builder in sports,” the EVP says. AECOM Hunt has built 16 NFL and 18 MLB stadiums and 18 NBA and 15 NHL arenas, just for starters. “But we also do so much work in the higher ed, convention center, aviation, and high-rise tower space that I’m proud of. Whatever we do, it’s so exciting to be part of an organization that really changes communities for the better.”
Thurmond points out the current expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center, a $500 million project, that the EVP says will forever change how businesses interact with the city of Fort Worth, Texas. And right across from the Metroplex in Dallas, AECOM Hunt is part of a team that will create a new, 2 million square-foot Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in the heart of the city.
“This is a build that will permanently change the city of Dallas,” Thurmond says. “Just think about that responsibility and think about that privilege to be part of something like this. You’re changing the lives of people in these communities. You’re changing their future. You’re changing the opportunities of how these communities grow and engage with each other. How could you ever get tired of that?”
Off the clock, Thurmond has worked with organizations helping empower women in the construction industry and engages in mentoring opportunities for young professionals. His wisdom follows a simple line: Show up early, ask questions, be accountable, reject passivity, and be relentless.
The EVP says that regardless of where one is in their career or what their title may say, they are, in fact, a leader. That mandates that they accept the responsibility to lead with courage. That goes the same for an executive builder as it does for a subcontractor.
“If you want to do more, if you want to know more, you will accomplish that by getting there early and engaging before the day begins,” Thurmond says. “Get there early and figure out a way to serve people. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to engage with whoever your team leaders are. Be a pest. Well, be a pest respectfully.”
“I fell in love with helping people work together to achieve a common goal, one that had a critical definitive end date. I still love it.”
Monte Thurmond
Finding a way to serve others might really be the key to Thurmond’s ethos. When asked about his time outside of his role at AECOM Hunt, he expresses his love for his family, for music, and the outdoors. But again, he turns the question on its side.
“If you really want to know the key to happiness, I’m happy to share it with you,” Thurmond says. “It’s when you figure out that finding happiness in life isn’t about you. You find that happiness when you figure out how to help somebody else. I promise.”
Integrated Interiors is pleased to work with Monte and his team on the TWU Health Science Center project. Similar to the projects before this, AECOM Hunt is always prepared, helpful, and professional. They care about their subcontractors. Company culture comes from the top of the organization, and the culture at AECOM Hunt is the type we gravitate toward. We look forward to another successful project with Monte and his team.
