W. M. Jordan Project Manager Charlie Bertalan’s path to construction success is a testament to the opportunities this industry offers—regardless of background. His story reflects how curiosity, adaptability, and a strong work ethic can lead to a fulfilling career in construction.
A Florida native, Charlie earned his degree in Computing Business from Furman University. After graduation, he moved to Atlanta and began working in computer information consulting—a role he enjoyed but ultimately felt lacked long-term career growth. With that in mind, Charlie returned to Florida with aspirations of becoming a teacher or coaching high school basketball.
As luck would have it, moving back home reconnected Charlie with a fraternity brother whose father owned a general contracting company. In need of a job, Charlie interviewed with the firm and was quickly hired as a Project Coordinator—a role similar to Project Engineer at W. M. Jordan.
“I had no formal training in construction,” Charlie recalls. “That role threw me into the deep end. We were building two residential towers in North Miami, and I had to pick things up quickly.”
From that first project, Charlie’s career steadily advanced as he took on new challenges and responsibilities.
“Construction really resonated with me because you see tangible results almost every day,” he says. “It’s amazing to take something from a paper design and bring it to life—hopefully something that will stand for a long time. One of my proudest moments was seeing three of my projects featured in aerial shots on the show CSI: Miami. That was pretty cool.”
Today, as a Project Manager, Charlie focuses on communication, coordination, and execution.
“I get to interact with people from all different backgrounds and ethnicities, which I love,” he says. “My main responsibilities are making sure our clients, design teams, and trade partners have what they need to succeed. I’m deeply involved in maintaining the schedule and ensuring we stay on budget.”
Having worked his way up in the industry, Charlie offers valuable advice to the next generation of construction professionals:
“The best advice I can give is to find a role that gives you exposure to all aspects of construction. Figure out what you enjoy most—and start chasing it.”
From a Computing Business degree to a thriving career in Construction Project Management, Charlie Bertalan exemplifies how hard work and a willingness to learn can open doors in this dynamic industry.
With our clients, partners, and community, W. M. Jordan strives for the relentless pursuit of excellence.
