Rome wasn’t built in a day, as the saying goes, and the impressive portfolio that Interstate Drywall Corp (IDC) boast today took time to amass. Word-of-mouth about the quality of work this contracting company does — thanks in part to leadership from Peter DiTommaso — would eventually lead to larger and high-profile projects. Today, the company has helped complete construction projects in the office, retail, residential, pharmaceutical, medical and tech sectors. All told, IDC has provided more than $1 billion in interior construction work all across the northeast U.S. The company is indeed proud of all the work it has completed, but some projects garner more visibility than others. For example, the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan, New York City is one of the more-visible IDC projects. That’s one out of dozens, Peter DiTommaso proudly points out, and IDC has had a hand in the following high-profile projects from across the New Jersey and New York regions.

Neiman Marcus, 500 W. 33rd Street, New York, N.Y.: Midtown Manhattan is one of the most well-traveled locations on the planet. As a retail/shopping hotspot, the work that IDC did across the 188,000 square feet of the new Neiman Marcus store helps this project shine. When customers go shopping for the upcoming fashion trends for 2020, they are passing through the work that Peter DiTommaso and the entire crew of his contracting company took great pride in while completing as part of a $25 billion mixed-use development.

Harborside Plaza, Jersey City, N.J.: Making the most of amazing skyline views and convenient location, Harborside Plaza in Jersey City turned out to be the thriving work and lifestyle destinations it was envisioned from the onset. According to Peter DiTommaso, IDC was hired to install temporary walls that preceded the major renovation project that Harborside Plaza owners SJP Properties undertook.

Turning Stone Casino and Resort, Verona, N.Y.: Sprawling across 3,400 acres, the Turning Stone casino is home to world-class gaming and entertainment options. IDC had a crucial hand in turning this facility into the upstate New York destination it is. Peter DiTommaso says that his 200-strong crew worked 10-hour days seven days a week for seven months to complete the new 21-story hotel/conference center. IDC successfully completed the fabrication and construction of custom construction details while adhering to its high-quality standards. For those who find themselves near Verona, which is about 260 miles north of New York City, Turning Stone is a destination worth visiting.

Laying the foundation for a successful career takes time, planning and commitment. This is true for any industry and those who’ve rose to the top will likely attribute it to the effort they poured into their careers. Peter DiTommaso, who has been in the construction industry for more than three decades, knows a thing or two about investing personal resources into professional careers. He can share a word or two of advice about doing so and some of those elements will be explored in this article. Peter DiTommaso has undoubtedly seen such success because he took education, charity and pride in work seriously. Readers looking to set their own careers on the right path will likely learn a thing or two below.

Solid Footing: College admissions have been on the rise in recent years and it’s for good reason – this is a sure-fire way to land a career in your chosen industry. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “about 19.9 million students will attend colleges and universities in fall 2019” and just shy of 2 million bachelor’s degrees will be awarded for the 2019-20 school year. Peter DiTommaso went to the University of Massachusetts and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration there. This was immediately put to use after college when Mr. DiTommaso was a project supervisor for L&T Contracting. Lessons learned in college paid off, as he was responsible for oversight of multi-million-dollar construction jobs.

The Right Fit: When Interstate Drywall Corp. was founded in 1986, Peter DiTommaso was right there and he’s remained with the company ever since. This long-term commitment isn’t a trait we see very often today but it’s one he would suggest if one hopes to climb the ranks. According to BusinessInsider.com, workers on average are currently holding jobs for a little more than four years. “Four years can seem like a lifetime if you’re spending every workday feeling underpaid, unappreciated, or unfulfilled — so don’t feel like you absolutely must stay that long,” the article states. Peter DiTommaso has never felt this way while working on behalf of Interstate Drywall Corp., which has completed in excess of $2 billion in construction around the New York-New Jersey area.

We spend the vast majority of our weeks at work. With that ratio in mind, it’s no wonder why it’s so important to pick a career path that makes you happy. Peter DiTommaso certainly found that niche in construction and hopes to continue contributing to the sector he values so much.