.svg){kind=icon}
Construction depends on strong teams. Whether working together in an office, coordinating from a jobsite, or connecting across different states, project managers, superintendents, subcontractors, clients, and countless others must stay aligned as a project moves from planning through completion. Successful projects require people who know how to effectively communicate, trust one another’s decision-making skills, and understand the role they play in moving the project towards opening day.
For Bergman’s Southeast tenant improvement team, working remotely is part of the day-to-day. Led by Michele Gesling, the remote team includes Bri Barksdale in Savannah, Georgia, and Malvin Tousant in Jacksonville, Florida. Their roles and experience may be different, but they share a commitment to supporting one another and delivering an excellent experience for our clients.
For Michele, leading a remote team starts with recognizing that everyone has their own way of communicating. During project kickoff, she establishes a shared understanding of how and when the team will connect. Whether through phone calls, text messages, or FaceTime, technology allows the team to communicate quickly when real-time decisions are needed. Frequent daily check-ins also give team members an opportunity to address challenges as they arise while still allowing each person the independence to manage their responsibilities.
In construction, delayed communication can quickly affect a project schedule, especially when a critical decision is needed. Michele establishes clear communication expectations based on her team’s individual working styles and the needs of each project. By creating defined lines of communication, team members understand who to contact and how to connect when decisions need to be made. This responsive, coordinated approach helps the team address issues quickly and maintain project momentum.
But communication is only part of it. One of Michele’s guiding beliefs is: “Get to know your team, appreciate them, tell them often and appreciate what they bring to the team. You make stronger connections with your team members when you include them in the success of the project. Clients appreciate teamwork. Teamwork adds a component of trust and continuity to the success of the team.”
Her approach creates a team where people can take ownership of their work without working in isolation.
Bri has spent five years in construction and currently works as an Assistant Project Manager and Superintendent, moving between supporting Michele and overseeing smaller projects in the field.
What initially attracted her to construction is also what continues to keep the work interesting.
“I love bringing someone else’s dreams from paper to reality and being a part of something so fascinating. I love the fast-paced problem-solving world that is construction.”
That combination of office and field experience has given Bri opportunities to continue learning while taking on greater responsibility.
Working remotely has also reinforced for Bri that being part of a team does not depend on sharing the same physical space, “you learn to lean on one another’s strengths, and you gain a great relationship with your team.”
Michele has seen that growth firsthand. She describes Bri, “as a foundational member of the Southeast team who continually looks for opportunities to expand her knowledge in both the office and the field.” For Michele, that willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities is an important part of growing the Southeast team together.
Malvin brings more than 25 years of construction experience to the Southeast team. As a Traveling Superintendent, he oversees daily field activities, manages subcontractor responsibilities, communicates with clients, and provides quality oversight throughout the project.
Having spent much of his career working remotely, Malvin understands what it takes to stay connected while also being capable of making decisions and moving work forward in the field.
“I have mostly worked on a remote team so I’m very familiar with what it takes to support your other teammates and the dedication it takes to be self-sufficient and communicate well.”
For Michele, Malvin’s leadership in the field and commitment to the client make him a dependable and trusted part of what allows the team to operate successfully across different locations.
“Malvin is an exceptional team member and the hardest working superintendent I know. We are like-minded when it comes to client satisfaction and always put the client and their needs first with cleanliness and schedule to create a positive outcome with the client. He is quick to assist his team members and is a great onsite leader and communicator.”
Leading a remote construction team requires balance. Each person needs the confidence and experience to take ownership of what is in front of them, while knowing they have a team behind them when challenges arise.
For Michele, that means creating an environment where Bri and Malvin can bring their individual strengths to the project while remaining connected to each other, the project, and the client. Their different experiences, from Bri continuing to grow between the office and field to Malvin bringing decades of experience as a superintendent, strengthen the team as a whole.
And there is another part of their working relationship that Michele considers important.
“I appreciate Bri and Malvin. It certainly helps that they both have a great sense of humor, which, in construction, everyone needs humor to get through those tough days.”
The combination of trust, dependability, and teamwork gives each person room to bring their own experience to the table while working toward the same goal. Construction will always bring changing conditions, tight schedules, challenges to solve, and decisions that need to be made in real time. Strong teams navigate those moments by staying connected, trusting one another, and remaining focused on the client and the work in front of them.
For those considering a career in construction, Bergman’s Southeast team shows that there is no single path into the industry or one place where meaningful work happens. Careers can grow in the office, in the field, across different markets, and through years of hands-on experience.
Construction is ultimately a team effort. Whether working side by side or across different states, trust, communication, and a shared commitment to the work keep projects moving forward.
