The construction industry is full of excellent leadership, but the public rarely sees it in action—even if it ultimately benefits from better roads, buildings and other facilities. ENR’s annual Top 25 Newsmakers program recognizes outstanding achievements.
“If I don’t have 100 balls in the air, I don’t work well. I get bored,” says David Burrus, referring to his multitasking skills. His love of quantifying everything, combined with his need for a constant adrenaline rush—as evidenced by his penchant for sports, especially dirt-bike racing—made the Clark Construction project executive an ideal fit for the $280-million Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.
“David drives the job and steps up to the plate,” says Michael McAlpine, project executive with STV Inc., the owner’s representative on the project, which features North America’s largest application of ETFE and intricate welding. “He stays on top of the issues and drives them to resolution. He pulls the right players together. These are important qualities when dealing with a complicated iconic building.”