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Matt Cowell’s journey in the construction industry is not typical of most superintendents. Matt became a superintendent while simultaneously earning a Master’s Degree in Comparative Politics. He started by working as a landscaper during summers while earning his Bachelor’s in Political Science at The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and progressed to working in the construction industry and then being promoted to superintendent. What this means is that Matt can not only manage our most complex Iowa projects but he could beat almost anyone in any political category on “Jeopardy!” as well! Matt lives in Waterloo with his wife Michelle and two sons, Graden, 7 and Liam, 4. Matt has worked on several projects for The Samuels Group including the Jameson’s addition in Waterloo and McKinley Middle School in Cedar Rapids, IA. We caught up with Matt recently in Fayette, Iowa where he was working on a project at Upper Iowa University.
How did you get your start in the construction industry?
I took a rather indirect route into the construction industry. While in college at UNI in Cedar Falls, IA, I did landscaping during the summers. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1990 and started working for a construction company after earning my master’s degree at The University of California Riverside in 1993. I was promoted to superintendent in 1999 and in 2009, I joined The Samuels Group as a superintendent here in Waterloo, Iowa.
What do you do in your role as project superintendent?
I do the regular tasks that a superintendent is charged with such as people and schedule management. The challenge is managing what’s in between the defined tasks. The spec books and architectural drawings define what needs to happen and the superintendent has to shape how it happens. This is where managing people, time and the space on a project become so important.
What do you like about working for The Samuels Group?
Being around the best in the business and knowing that people matter. Here at The Samuels Group you are encouraged to build relationships with subcontractors and owners. The company is set up in a way that allows you to do what you are supposed to do but encourages you to be creative and go beyond what you’d normally do to achieve more for the owner.
What is the most rewarding project you’ve worked on since starting at The Samuels Group?
The project that personally gives me the most satisfaction is an historic renovation we did at 217 W 4th Street in Waterloo. I’d lived in Waterloo while I was growing up and hardly noticed this building. It had been built around 1893 and had been unoccupied since 1964. When we finished the project, I felt that it probably looked exactly as it had in 1893 when it was new. There was somewhat of a rush to occupy the building following its completion but one night after everyone had left the jobsite, I had the opportunity to stand back and appreciate the project. Being a history enthusiast, seeing that we were able to preserve the history in this building and transform it into something appreciable was very rewarding for me.
What do you like to do during your personal time?
In the past few years what I like to do and what I get to do are two completely different things! With two boys growing up, much of my time has been devoted to my family. Now that they are getting older, I’m looking forward to doing some of the things I like to do, such as gardening and also enjoying some of my favorite activities, such as canoeing, with my sons.
