Welcome back to another installment of our favorite monthly blog series! This month, we will get to know Robert Randazzo, a Field Super, General Foreman and Draftsman for Hylan Datacom & Electrical (HDE).
What led you to your position at Hylan Datacom & Electrical (HDE)?
After many years building major infrastructure projects in the NYC Metro area, including the Second Ave subway 96 Street station, JFK airport, many water treatment plants, and elevated subway lines, the opportunity to work for HDE underground presented itself. The chance to work for John Gambino and help grow the northeast division of Hylan was what drew me to the company.
How long have you been with the company?
Since July of 2016.
What does your role as Field Super, Surveyor, General Foreman and Draftsman entail at HDE?
A typical day begins at my desk at 5:30 am. We are given our daily job schedule, walkout schedule, and the next three days’ work schedule, which needs setting up. We then cost our jobs and code them to submit to the main office. After completing our previous days paperwork, we contact any vendors that will supply us with material for the day(s) ahead. Then, we hit the field. We generate the “as builts” and set up the jobs for the next few days.
What do you most enjoy about working for HDE, and Hylan as a whole?
The relationships that I have made with our team. The coordinated efforts and achievements of the field crews are a direct result of the drive of the managers and the support of those in Holmdel. The daily battles won in the field are what keep me motivated and focused on maintaining our safety, productivity, profitability, and client relationships.
Can you tell us about a project and/or accomplishment that you are most proud of with your work at HDE?
The Philadelphia bus shelters done for Intersection in Philadelphia. We created a new division in a new market and delivered specialized work not within the normal scope of work at HDE at that time. We overcame many obstacles to succeed in delivering high quality and timely results for our client.
Last year was particularly challenging, but as we embark on 2021, what are you most looking forward to in the future for HDE?
I am optimistic that as the pandemic is curtailed and controlled that we can again gain some sense of what normal used to be, even if that is a “new normal.” I miss my coworkers who have gone remote, and I hope to not only hear their voices but see their faces again. I look forward to being an installer of NY 5G infrastructure. I enjoy the relationships and work done with and for our clients and government agencies such as the NYC Department of Transportation.
Where do you live?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and I currently live in Montclair, NJ.
Where did you go to school or get training?
I started my education at Xaverian High school and then I attended SUNY Oneonta. I then became a member of Local Union 731 where I worked my way up to a Foreman, General Laborer Foreman, and then General Foreman. I have worked with some of the finest people in construction. I started my career with Skanska, then WDF, then EE Cruz, and now HDE. All of the companies I have worked with have top level talent that blessed me with knowledge and a hands on education in civil, mechanical, structural, and now electrical engineering and construction.
If you could address young college graduates or apprentices who are interested in a career with HDE or a similar company, what’s the best advice you can give them?
I would advise them to watch and listen to those who are the most productive and effective in an environment. When given the opportunity to work with someone who is in an advanced position, observe what makes them successful. Try to emulate the behaviors that led them to their successes and try to learn of their failures so as to try to avoid making those mistakes yourself.
Now, just to get a little personal! Tell us what you like to do in your free time.
I am a devoted family man, married with two children. My free time is spent on their activities. I am also an avid sports fan rooting for the Yankees, Rangers, Knicks, and Giants. I am also rather handy and enjoy home improvement projects when time allows.
We’d like to thank Robert for his participation in this month’s blog! When asked why Rob would be a great employee to highlight for this month’s Hylan Family feature, Joe Romano had the following to say: “Rob Randazzo really emulates exactly what being a part of the Hylan Family is all about. He works hard and empowers his team members to be the best they can be. He is extremely dedicated and observant, always taking note of others and contributing to his teams’ success by guiding and learning from them. I’m very honored to have him as a part of the HDE team, and Hylan Family as a whole.”
Here at Hylan, we, like him, are very confident that as 2021 progresses we will be able to move forward and continue to overcome many of the challenges we encountered in the last year. As always, the Hylan Family will continue to provide the essential services to continue to better connect our communities and world.