Project Manager at HCM Construction & Project Management
Army infantryman’s combat experience keeps civilian workplace stress in perspective.
By Warren Duffie

The construction world can be a boiling cauldron of stress. Clients might make sudden design changes or demands, throwing design plans off kilter. Contractors and sub-contractors sometimes don’t come through. Equipment breaks down. Projects can be delayed and go over budget by millions of dollars.

Whenever such mishaps rear their ugly heads, Ben Fischer maintains a smile and sunny outlook. After all, the former Army sergeant endured the rigorous challenges of military training and survived harrowing violence on the battlefields of Iraq.

“I learned to have a sense of humor about things in the Army,” said Fischer, 30. “Whether in combat or in the field, you’re often tired, hungry and haven’t showered in a few days. You learn to find the lighter side of things. That helps me now as a civilian. I don’t stress over little things. No one is shooting at me and I’m not in a life or death situation.”

On the Job
This former infantryman is a project manager with HCM Construction & Project Management, a California-based company specializing in commercial construction. Fischer oversees projects such as office renovations and improvements, as well as the rollout of new corporate showrooms and franchise locations. His project budgets can range from $50,000 to nearly a million dollars.

Fischer performs a variety of tasks, including calculating price estimations, supervising subcontractors, issuing work orders, scheduling work, invoicing and even some collections.

“We’re a small shop, so I wear a lot of hats,” he said. “The ironic thing is that I can’t even build a birdhouse, but I can crunch numbers and make sure a construction project runs smoothly.”

Fischer works from 0800 to 1700. His day consists of responding to various client issues, inspecting job sites, meetings and lots of paperwork.

“The funny thing is that everyone talks about going green,” he said with a laugh. “In the construction industry, there seems to be more and more paper. Everything has to be documented.

In Uniform
After earning a bachelor’s degree in communications from Iowa’s St. Ambrose University in 2002, Fischer enlisted in the Army.

“I didn’t really have much direction after college but knew I wanted to serve after 9/11,” he said. “Besides, it was a tradition in my family that all the men served in the military. I wanted to be a part of that.”

Fischer completed boot camp, infantry training, and Airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga., before being stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. He deployed to Iraq twice, from 2003 to 2004 and 2004 to 2005.

The Transition
Because he had already earned a college degree, Fischer was well-prepared for his transition. He attended ACAP classes and sought advice from officers and senior enlisted personnel.

Fischer had wanted to live in California for several years, so he moved out west. He tested with the San Diego Sheriff’s department, scored highly, but decided he didn’t want to be a cop. So he sent his résumé to a number of local companies and landed a job with a construction firm called Casco Contractors.

“The company was looking for military people because we’re trainable,” Fischer said. “A couple of years later, a co-worker started HCM and brought me along.

“There were two main things I had to adapt to as a civilian,” he continued. “First, people are always late in California because of the traffic and laidback lifestyle. In the Army, 10 minutes early was on time. Second, I heard civilians complain about not being able to find particular grocery items or their favorite jeans at the store. After being in combat, I was taken aback to hear people gripe about petty stuff.”

Save your money. “I knew a lot of guys who blew their cash on stupid stuff and lived beyond their means. Save your money, especially if you’re deployed. It’s really easy then.” Be open to trying anything. “You don’t have to stay in your MOS as a civilian.

Try a new career path. If you don’t like it, you can change. There’s no one saying you have to stay in a certain career or industry.”

How’d You Get That Job?
Because he had already earned a college degree, Fischer was well-prepared for his transition. He attended ACAP classes and sought advice from officers and senior enlisted personnel.

Fischer had wanted to live in California for several years, so he moved out west. He tested with the San Diego Sheriff’s department, scored highly, but decided he didn’t want to be a cop. So he sent his résumé to a number of local companies and landed a job with a construction firm called Casco Contractors.

“The company was looking for military people because we’re trainable,” Fischer said. “A couple of years later, a co-worker started HCM and brought me along.”- - - - - -

What Fischer Likes About His Job

• Working and living in Southern California
• I work with a good group of people

Did You Know?
Fischer was featured in the film “Brothers at War,” executive-produced by Gary Sinise and directed by Jake Rademacher. The award-winning film documents Rademacher’s journey to Iraq to understand the experiences of his combat-veteran brothers. “I was shocked to be in the movie as much as I was,” Fischer said. “I thought it was great that a movie about Iraq did not have a political or media spin on it.”

HCM Construction & Project Management
HQ: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Employees: 5
2009 Revenue: $2.5 million
www.hcmsolutionsinc.com