Most people agree that an essential need for life is growth and for most of us, that development is largely cultivated by where you work.
From starting at a company right after graduating college to his current role as president of R.D. Olson Construction, Bill Wilhelm has come to realize how growth is not only shaped through projects he worked on—it was shaped through a combination of professional development, collaboration and giving back to the community.
These pillars not only support personal growth but have been significant in the growth of R.D. Olson employees, as well. With an average tenure of 12 years, R.D. Olson employees are—and need to be—nurtured beyond the task at hand. Here is Wilhelm’s first-hand experience with why that is true—and why it works:
Continuous Learning
An essential part of growth is being able to learn at any stage of your career, which is where mentorship programs can prove beneficial. R.D. Olson’s professional development initiative—RDO University—pairs junior and senior employees through a mentorship program to pursue over 68 courses across all domains of construction. Notable courses include learning more about implementing artificial intelligence, bidding on a job, navigating software, improving financial fluency and more. Many courses are dedicated to safety as it’s paramount to gain that type of knowledge right when you begin your career. RDO University offers OSHA 10 and 30 certifications as defined by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ensure employees are provided with robust and engaging training.
Mentorship doesn’t stop once you think you have all the knowledge. It is the stomping grounds designed to generate the next generation of leaders whether it be the future chief financial officer, vice president or even president. More importantly, it is meant to produce a meaningful mentor-mentee relationship for junior and senior employees. As strong relationships are curated and trust is built, long tenures are curated. That is evidenced by the 20% of R.D. Olson staff who have spent their entire careers at the company, coming full circle from a new employee to a leader inspiring others.
Fostering Collaboration
Strong collaboration is the backbone of any successful project and the promise of more to come. Oftentimes, the majority of successful construction work is repeat business; thus, it makes sense to have structured teams with not only experts in the field, but with people who collaborate seamlessly with each other and are committed to making long term relationships with clients. For instance, this year, R.D. Olson broke ground on Rose Hill Courts Phase II, an affordable housing project near downtown Los Angeles that will bring 96 units to families in need. The project is being done in collaboration with Related Properties, with whom the company has worked since 2016, Rose Hill Courts Phase II being the sixth project in collaboration with Related Properties. To develop trust, it was imperative that R.D. Olson ensure Related Properties they could continue to turn to this team each time throughout the years. R.D. Olson Vice President Marc Tran has led the account since the first project eight years ago with many of the same teams working on each development—fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort that each would be done with precision and care.
Collaboration is fundamental for a successful company. Operating through a philosophy of hospitality—through mentorship, cultivating a positive environment, hosting employee milestone celebrations and more—ensures each team member feel known, valued and included.
Supporting Your Community
Volunteering has become embedded within R.D. Olson’s values. By day, the company builds structures that address community needs; however, going beyond the job description is where the magic happens.
Since R.D. Olson was founded in 1979, it has nurtured relationships with notable nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, Olive Crest, HomeAid, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and more.
In 2025, these relationships continue to grow. R.D. Olson held its fifth annual golf tournament on Olive Crest’s behalf and raised a record breaking $148,500—all while providing a fun environment where the construction team members could bond with each other, members of Olive Crest and with other architects, owners, bankers and subcontractors.
Additionally, this summer, the company broke ground on the Olive Crest Youth Housing Apartment complex, providing 15-units of supportive multifamily housing for children and families who have previously faced abuse. The 7,840-square-foot apartment complex will consist of two two-story buildings, one with seven units and another with eight.
Other notable volunteer activities —that any company can take part in in their local area—include participating in shifts at the Distribution Center at Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, supporting the development of projects for Habitat for Humanity, sponsoring notable events like Crisp Imaging’s Super Bowl Party—where all funds honored veterans.
Volunteering activities like these not only provide lifechanging outcomes for a community, but also bring teams closer together in the spirit of doing good.
The meaning of a prosperous work environment continues to change as needs evolve. Additionally, all workers have different needs, so there is no one right direction on how to help people thrive in their role. However, a company that supports timeless assets such as professional and personal growth, prioritizes relationships and cares about the greater community will always be valuable—because its people will always be valued.
The post Creating Opportunities for Growth Beyond the Job: A Perspective From a Construction President first appeared on Construction Executive.
