David Tetrault is vice president of Modern Paving, Inc - Peninsula, a Diamond Certified company since 2013. He can be reached at (650) 564-3217 or by email.
David Tetrault: A Northwest Progression
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
SAN MATEO — For David Tetrault, a westward relocation precipitated a northward advancement in his professional career. “I’m originally from Massachusetts, where I got my start in the construction industry,” he says. “In the mid-2000s, I decided to pack up my tools and move to California. Initially, I got a job as a carpenter, but I soon realized that if I wanted to get ahead, I’d need to go into management. Someone suggested that I get into the hardscaping industry, so I took a job as a project manager for a local paving company. It was a pretty seamless transition, thanks to the knowledge I’d gained in construction up to that point. After a couple of years, I went to Modern Paving and opened a new branch in San Diego. Three years later, I migrated up to the San Francisco Bay Area and opened another branch, which is where I’ve been since 2011.”
Today, as vice president of Modern Paving, Inc. – Peninsula, David says his favorite part of his job is interacting with his team. “I love working with my guys and seeing them be successful in their careers and, by extension, their lives. That’s what’s most rewarding for me.”
A resident of San Mateo County (where he lives with his wife, Amy), David spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “Amy and I own a dog walking and boarding business, so I help with that,” he details. “We both like to stay fit by running and working out, and I also enjoy surfing. When we’re not working or exercising, we like to go to the movies, go out to dinner and just relax.”
In regard to a professional philosophy, David believes in treating others with respect—especially if they work for you. “I treat my guys as equals, no matter who they are or where they come from,” he explains. “Because of my professional background, I can really relate to what they go through as laborers. I’ve seen owners and managers who can’t relate and don’t treat their guys very well, and I think it’s because they’ve never walked in their shoes.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, David says he’d take a vacation. “It might sound cliché, but it would be nice to do a little traveling. I’d like to go back to Europe and spend some time in Italy, Greece, and other countries in the Mediterranean region.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What was your first job?
A: When I was 14, I got a job as a dishwasher for a local Italian restaurant.
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Tea.
Q: What’s your favorite kind of food?
A: Sushi.
Q: What was your first pet?
A: A black lab named Max.
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
A: “No Country for Old Men.”
