We recently met with Terry McGee, Senior CMT Field Technician based in our Beaumont, Texas office to learn about his role at Braun Intertec, his background in quality control and concrete mix design as well as his TxDOT project experience.
What is your role at Braun Intertec?
I specialize in quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), mix design, and trial batching of high-performance concrete. I am currently learning how I can assist our concrete experts with troubleshooting in-situ concrete by using nondestructive testing methods (NDT). I look forward to having the opportunity to provide these unique services to our clients along the Gulf Coast.
Tell us about your background and how you came to your specialty in concrete?
I received my bachelor’s degree in education. I taught high school for four years but realized I was ready to see what else was out there, specifically in construction. My initial experience with concrete came when I got the chance to work as a quality control technician for a local ready-mixed concrete producer. I learned a lot about cementitious materials, aggregates, and the batching of ready-mixed concrete—all of this was so new to me. I quickly caught on and was able to identify the variables which affect the quality of concrete with ease.
After becoming a regional quality supervisor, I was solely responsible for quality control of 11 ready-mix batch plants. Three of these supplied concrete to some of the earliest LNG export facilities constructed on the Gulf Coast. There was an enormous amount of yardage produced and delivered during my time there. It was an eye-opening experience. At times it tested me, but I handled it very well.
What are your favorite concrete projects to work on?
I enjoy working on projects that require unique concrete mixes. Some unusual mixes that I enjoy working with are self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and structural lightweight concrete. Those are always fun projects to work on because you don’t see them utilized every day.
I have also worked on Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) concrete mix designs and I’m familiar with their specifications. They update these specs often, so you must stay on top of their guidelines. Every project presents its own challenges, but that is when we get to show our clients what makes Braun Intertec “the science you build on.”
As an experienced CMT technician, how do you pass your expertise on to new technicians?
Indirectly, I have mentored a lot of technicians. I was in their shoes for years and have seen a lot of jobs go right and some go wrong. I enjoy passing my knowledge on and shortening their learning curve. I advise new technicians to be versatile when they are starting their careers. They need to seek every avenue offered because you never know which area you may find yourself excelling in.
What does safety mean to you?
Safety is vital to success. We want to show our clients that we take safety seriously. They should feel at ease when they know that Braun Intertec is on their jobsite. A great safety record can give us a competitive edge when securing projects and keeping our clients happy.
What is your favorite part about working at Braun Intertec?
What first struck me was the opportunity to be a part of a team of employee-owners. I know my fellow colleagues are dedicated and invested in the success of the company, which is an asset. Also, I appreciate getting to work with members of the Braun Intertec technical concrete group and bringing knowledge of the services they can provide to the Gulf Coast. In closing, I just want to say thanks to all my new coworkers. Everyone I have met, from Beaumont to Minneapolis, has been very welcoming and professional. I am so glad to be part of Braun Intertec.