Member Spotlight: Cleveland Building Restoration

Name 
Morgen Cost

Job Title 
President      

Company Name 
Cleveland Building Restoration, LLC       

Bio
As president of Cleveland Building Restoration, Morgen draws on her experience in sales, law, and management to lead a team in the office and field. While she is involved at a high level, she also takes a very hands-on approach to managing the team’s day-to-day masonry work to better serve the needs of her clients. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty and is even known to pick up a jackhammer from time to time if it means gaining a stronger perspective of each team member’s unique role and what each job requires. With 5 years in the industry, Morgen is committed to the mission of Cleveland Building Restoration which is evidenced by the time, energy and passion she devotes to delivering superior results for every client.

Tell us about your company.
Cleveland Building Restoration, founded in 2017, strives to provide the highest quality craftsmanship in masonry restoration while preserving the integrity and beauty of historic architecture. Our talented craftsmen, with long-term union experience, are dedicated to safe work practices, which include our ongoing commitment to the adherence of OSHA’s silica dust regulations. We have invested in the equipment and continual training necessary to adhere to dustless standards, and each team member has completed the OSHA 30 certification, which is a 30-hour orientation to occupational safety and health for construction workers. We are FBE (Female Business Enterprise) certified and a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBENC) and belong to the Construction Employers Association (CEA), International Masonry Institute (IMI), Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Cleveland Restoration Society.

Whether you need brick masonry restoration on your historic church building or a concrete parking deck repair for your commercial business, Cleveland Building Restoration has the expertise, experience and knowledge to provide the best possible result and deliver on our promise of unparalleled quality. Our services include brick and stone restoration, expansion joints, lintel repair/replacement, mortar matching, tuckpointing, caulking, thru-wall flashing, epoxy and wet seals, waterproofing, historic preservation, terra cotta repair/restoration, graffiti removal, masonry cleaning, concrete repair/restoration, parking deck and parking garage repairs, tracked maintenance programs.

With regard to the type of customers, we do commercial restoration (not residential). Our customer base includes education, hospitals/healthcare, government, cultural and nonprofit, senior living, corporate, apartment complex, cemeteries/mausoleums, hospitality/entertainment,  religious, aviation/transportation, industrial/manufacturing, retail/restaurant, historic buildings, new buildings.  Our clients include public and private entities.

What are the favorite part(s) of your job and why?
Each project is unique and allows us to rejuvenate our city, one brick at a time. I enjoy collaborating with the team to achieve our clients' goals. It’s wonderful working with a team of incredibly talented people and clients who help maintain and find new life for the historic architecture of our city, ensuring it will be here for generations to come.

What has been the key to your company's success thus far? 
Cleveland Building Restoration is successful because of our people. We do what we say we will do. We provide quality, excellent and safety with our expert craftspeople.

What important changes/initiatives are you working on now? 
My hope is that more young people, especially women, will continue to be driven toward the union trades and construction industry. There is a real need. I believe that most people are guided toward college and not educated about the trades as a real career path. Most women are not educated about the possibilities of careers in construction. One of my goals is to help drive more young people and women toward the construction industry. CBR has shed light on this with projects such as the Lakeview Cemetery project with the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), wherein CBR donated the equipment, materials and foremen's time and collaborated with the JATC to provide real world training on historic monuments that did not have funding for repairs. To learn more about the project, go to https://clerestoration.com/project/lake-view-cemetery/          

How has Cleveland Building Restoration benefited from its CEA membership? 
Cleveland Building Restoration participates in many CEA organizations. Through this participation we’ve had the opportunity to grow our network (such as CAA, the Construction Safety Council), gained additional safety insight and knowledge through attending multiple courses (and direct access to Kent), and advanced our learning with different course work offerings.

What is the importance of mentoring and inclusion? If you had/have a mentor, who was it and what value did it provide you/your company?  Find a mentor within the industry who can share experiences and provide firsthand opportunities for exposure. Your mentor should be a person who has time, who you aren’t afraid to ask questions, share failures (and success). They should help grow your network and determine your next steps. Mentors are an important piece of any career growth. Look for internship opportunities. There are many avenues within the industry. It is important to learn about what is available. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is a great organization for women in construction. Construction Employers Association (CEA) is also a great resource.      

I've had several mentors over the span of my career who have helped shape me, both as formal and informal mentors. I was very fortunate to have an especially unique situation and mentor with my husband, Trevor. He is the owner of a 3rd generation commercial roofing company (100 years old this year!), Warren Roofing. He grew up working at the company, starting by sweeping floors, working on the roofs in the summers, and progressing to sales and finally the role of president. His perspective allowed me to understand that I must know and do every role within the company in order to serve my teammates and my clients. I have been hands-on in the field using a jackhammer, cutting out brick, riding a swing stage, estimating, managing projects, working with clients, interacting with our union, etc. There is something I have learned from every member of my team. Each of them has helped me grow into a better version of myself, in my role. The moment you stop learning, is the moment you’re not at the top of your game.

How does Cleveland Building Restoration retain talent?
Cleveland Building Restoration is a union company. The Golden Rule allows us to attract and retain talent.

What would you say to someone at the beginning of their career in construction? 
The construction industry is anything but monotonous. Each day is different, each project is unique. There are always opportunities to learn and grow daily. Communication in key. There is never a stupid question. Get a mentor. Continue to learn and grow. Don’t get comfortable. Follow the Golden Rule. This industry is small and your reputation will follow you, so be honest, work hard and provide excellent service.