We all know the saying, “Like father, like son.” We use this term when a son shows similar attributes or behaviors as his father and laugh it off as we watch the son grow into the person he’s meant to be. Well, what if “Like Father” is really what he’s destined to be?

Senior Superintendent Ray Chamberlain watched first hand as his son, Devon Chamberlain, worked his way up the ranks to become a Superintendent just like him. Now, both Ray and Devon are Clark/Sullivan (C/S) Superintendents leading multi-million-dollar projects, so we sat down with them to learn more about how this father-son duo came to be.

How early in life did you know you wanted to join the construction industry? Did your dad’s career influence it in any way?

 I’ve wanted to be in Construction, but more specifically a Carpenter and then Superintendent, for as long as I can remember. When I was young, I had the chance to walk one of my dad’s projects, the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas, after construction was complete and before it opened to the public. Getting to go to the top of the tower before anyone with my Dad, I felt incredibly special and wanted to be able to have the ability to do the same with my kids one day. My dad’s career was the influence for me to know that one day, if I worked as hard as he did, I to could succeed in Construction.

Do you think you influenced your son to join the construction industry?

Are you happy he followed in your footsteps?

 Actually, yes! After many years of Devon coming on job sites and him seeing what was going with Dad being the Superintendent on the job, he immediately took interest in the construction industry. I am very happy and proud of Devon in all aspects. As we all grow and I get older, it’s nice to see your son take over in the Superintendent level and succeed.

Do you think your leadership styles are the same or different?

 I think for the majority of our work in-the-field, our styles are the same. However, I feel I am faster with technology and communicating / coordinating between the office and field teams.


 I think they are the same, except Devon definitely exceeds Dad in being more diplomatic, detail-oriented, and better with technology.

What are some lessons/tricks or skills/attributes you feel you have gained from your father that has helped you grow into a Superintendent?

 Can’t is not a word. If there is a will, there is a way. Don’t give me a problem without first thinking of a solution. Learn every day to be the best at your trade. To understand each trade’s sequencing and obstacles will create the best Superintendent. Trust, But Verify. 

What leadership skills/attributes do you hope you passed on to your son as he leads in this industry?

 Organization, creating schedules in logical steps, never take no for an answer, and don’t be a pushover.

What’s your favorite construction-related memory together?

 We both take a lot of pride in building high-rise buildings fast! We had done one together as a team and I loved going through every step and milestone with him – from erecting another tower crane to the topping-out party. With us on the project together, it was an amazing feeling and accomplishment.

 Well there are many but to choose one, I would say when we topped out an 11-story building together a few years back and he topped out the project with the American flag. That made me so proud, as I have service in the military and take great pride in the American Flag. Seeing Devon place the flag on top of the project was a great moment!

What advice would you like to give to future construction leaders who may have parents in the industry as well?

 Use your parent’s knowledge from the past as a foundation for your future!

What would you like to say to current construction leaders who may have kids industry as well?

 Well, if you have a young person interested tell them, “If you build it they will come.” It’s great to show your kids different projects you have been a major part of all over the world. In this industry, there is always a challenge in some way, shape or form. If you like challenge then this is your cup of tea.

Ray and Devon are both currently C/S Superintendents leading projects at the new West Park High School campus in Roseville, CA. They continue to enjoy working together and learning from each other as they both play a role in the legacy of the construction industry and epitomize the power of a father’s influence and a son’s admiration. We are glad this son is like his father as they continue to excel in the industry and make C/S proud!

The Legend and the Legacy: A Father and Son Superintendent Team


According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear within 2-14 days of exposure to COVID-19:

If you or someone around you has been exposed to COVID-19, or you are exhibiting any of these symptoms, please alert your supervisor immediately.

Restrict meetings, safety meetings/tailgate talks, and gatherings to no more than 10 people.

Ensure that staff maintain a minimum of 6-foot personal separation from other staff during meetings, discussions, equipment usage, etc.

Provide sanitation and cleaning supplies for addressing common surfaces in multiple user mobile equipment and multiple user tooling.

Conduct daily surveys of changes to staff/labor health conditions.

Ensure that any identified first responders in the labor force are provided and use the needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and equipment for protection from communicable or infections disease.

Provide access to potable and sanitary water.


The CDC recommends the following steps are to be taken to protect yourself against COVID-19.

Practice responsible respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Avoid close contact and practice responsible social distancing.

Perform routine cleaning & disinfecting of your environment including frequently touched surfaces.


In addition to the safe practices recommended by the CDC and the guidelines set forth by OSHA, Clark/ Sullivan Construction is taking additional measures to ensure the safety of our offices and job sites:

Digital Meetings via Zoom in Lieu of Face-to-Face Meetings

No Unnecessary Visitors to Job Sites or Offices

Clark/Sullivan is dedicated to the safety of its trade partners, owners, families and friends. We are closely monitoring the updates from the World Health Organization, CDC and OSHA to stay up-to-date on the latest information related to the virus. We will provide updates to our practices and policies as they evolve. We appreciate your commitment to helping us maintain our high safety standards during this time.

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear within 2-14 days of exposure to COVID-19: If you…


C/S COVID-19 Practices & Protocols

“Asbestos” is a word that, for the general population, often conjures mental images of yellow caution tape draped across the doorways of aging buildings. Unfortunately, as many people in the construction industry know, aging schools are among the buildings most in need of abatement. Construction industry professionals have been addressing asbestos issues for decades, and now that many of our local schools in our area are subject to renovations, our community needs to know about how this material is a hazard to both students and teachers in these facilities.

Asbestos, of course, is a highly toxic mineral once widely used in consumer goods, shipbuilding, and the construction industry prior to regulations introduced in the 1970s. The mineral was predominantly used for its beneficial physical characteristics, including durability and heat resistance. However, asbestos can also break down into thin, microscopic fibers that pose a threat to human health. Being exposed to asbestos doesn’t have an immediately noticeable impact on health. This, in addition to asbestos fibers being invisible to the naked eye, results in people not realizing that they have inhaled asbestos or that their health could be compromised decades in the future. Asbestos exposure leads to several harsh diseases, most notably a type of cancer found in the linings of internal organs (most often the lungs).

In a 2014 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, the average age of a public school in the United States was 44 years old. This figure is calculated based on the number of years from the construction of the main instructional building rather than any potential additions. On top of this, the average number of years since a public school had undergone a renovation rose from 11 to 12 years, compared to a similar study conducted in 1999. Given that it was common to use asbestos products to construct buildings until the 1970s, it’s likely that some form of asbestos is still present in many public schools.

The federal government has regulations in place to help guide schools in addressing asbestos issues. The Asbestos Hazards Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires schools to inspect facilities for asbestos products, create a management plan, and take action to best prevent exposure to asbestos. General Contractors, like Clark/Sullivan Construction (C/S), take asbestos abatement very seriously. Whether crews are renovating a school, office building, or any other existing structure, the C/S teams prioritize the safety of the building’s occupants and the construction crews to ensure the abatement process is thorough and safe for all involved. This may mean scheduling abatement during Spring or Summer vacations to avoid exposure to students and school staff or cordoned-off wings or areas within a building to protect occupants. At the end of the day, safety is the number-one priority on any job site.

It’s extremely important for local communities to be aware of the issue and the potential health risks associated with unintended asbestos exposure. Many people are unaware that school teachers have an extremely high risk of dying from mesothelioma compared to the national average. That is why having trained professionals remove asbestos from schools is an important step in protecting the health and futures of both students and educators.

This article is brought to you as a collaboration between Clare Christensen of Clark/Sullivan Construction and Anna Suarez, a mesothelioma health advocate.

Asbestos abatement during construction can help save lives.


Construction 101: Asbestos and Our Schools

Clark/Sullivan was recently featured in the June Issue of 

IT Manager Todd Miknus tells us how technology is helping crews work smarter, not harder.


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