Pat Smith Named President of CFC Construction
Long-time Operations Leader Brings 30+ Years of Diverse Experience
CFC Construction is proud to announce that Pat Smith has been promoted to President of the Colorado-based general contractor. Pat’s 30+ years of construction experience span a range of roles and product types across both domestic and international markets. His wide-ranging experience, alongside his commitment to team development, coaching, and upholding CFC’s field-first, employee-centric culture, make him an ideal choice for directing the firm’s broad capabilities and continued growth.
CFC Founder and Chairman EJ Olbright is looking forward to the energy Pat brings, saying, “Pat has been preparing for this role and is more than ready for it. He is a true builder and brings great enthusiasm and expertise, and has built strong relationships with our clients, subcontractors, and the design community. He is ready for the challenge and excited to guide our path forward.”
Pat joined CFC in 2015 as a Construction Manager, quickly distinguishing himself as a results-oriented leader and effective team builder. He is a long-standing member of the firm’s leadership team, having been promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2017. Pat’s path to becoming CFC’s President was set in 2018 as part of the company’s five-year transition plan to its next-generation of leaders.
Pat, who earned his BS in Architectural Engineering from the University of Kansas, is a LEED Accredited Professional and a past participant in the Downtown Denver Leadership Program. He spent the first several years of his career working with some of the largest general contractors in the US and abroad. His experience spans numerous construction types, including steel, prefab, tilt-up, cast-in-place concrete and wood frame. His completed projects are in a variety of market sectors: multifamily, senior living, office, industrial, health care, hospitality, tenant finish, and beyond. Pat’s first project in Colorado was the construction of Concourse A at Denver International Airport in 1991. Over the years, he has led dozens of successful projects throughout Colorado, from the plains to the peaks.
With his diverse background, Pat knows what it is like to be mired in red tape, bureaucracy, and slow decision-making processes. As a local firm focused on serving Colorado, CFC is able to stay nimble and flexible to better serve clients’ evolving needs — a capability Pat prizes. He also places high value on CFC’s family-oriented workplace culture, explaining, “With the national contractors, you get lost in the shuffle. CFC has much more of a family atmosphere, with a good sense of work-life balance. We genuinely care about each others’ lives outside work.”
That care is apparent in CFC’s robust focus on employee development, which includes helping CFC’s people gain experience across the business, promoting from within, and supporting ongoing learning. Says Smith, “We do a good job of training people, and at giving them opportunities to learn and grow. We also make a point of regularly checking in, to make sure people are happy in their roles. If they’re not, we want to help them find the right fit.”
Pat has a reputation for being an excellent listener whose door is always open. He is genuine, honest, and humble, with a gift for constructive feedback and a sense of humor that is an asset in any situation. Pat’s team is confident he is the right choice to help CFC build an even stronger future.