Leading People, Not Just Projects: Associate Profile on P1 Vice President Steve Hinshaw

No matter how many projects he's built, P1 Vice President Steve Hinshaw knows there is no structure as complex as working with people.

From the beginning of his career, Steve was determined to build his own reputation.

Although his father worked as a mechanical contractor, he wanted to create a path that was entirely his own.

After graduating from college, he joined Mechanical Incorporated in Freeport, Illinois, as a project engineer at the Chrysler plant. After just two years in the industry, an unexpected opportunity accelerated his career.

When a project manager left the company, company leadership offered Steve the chance to take over 14 active projects - a challenge that might have been intimidating to most young professionals.

But Steve decided to take it on.

"I thought, why not?" Steve said. "I ended up gaining valuable experience that I think later shaped my leadership style."

A few years later, he was leading the company's Quad Cities branch as branch manager.

His career eventually brought him back to Kansas City, where he joined A.D. Jacobson during its transition into P1 Group.

Steve says it was an exciting time to be on board.

"As Director of Business Development, I helped establish the company's brand identity, working with the outside creative agency to develop a logo and branding that represented the next chapter of P1."

Even though another job opportunity did take Steve away from P1 for a few years, P1 was always meant to be "home," and in 2012, he came back to P1 in an operations leadership role.

Steve has never forgotten some of the projects he has worked on at P1.

"I will always remember replacing an entire rooftop mechanical system for a downtown bank," Steve said.

"The team removed the roof, replaced the cooling tower, chiller, and supporting fabrication, then restored the roof - all within a day."

Another memorable project was the University of Kansas Multidisciplinary Research Building in Lawrence, KS.

"The team completed the building in just 52 weeks," Steve said.

"Meeting critical milestones required creativity and teamwork, including starting the air conditioning system on schedule even before the building had windows installed - just to make sure the GC knew we would deliver on time!"

While every brick-and-mortar project presents technical challenges, Steve says the most complex part of the job is working with people.

He also credits much of his success to communication and diplomacy. "Technical knowledge is important, but the ability to communicate clearly and work well with others will carry you even further."

P1 President Kollin Knox has worked with Steve for many years.

"Steve has a real passion for people on both a personal and professional level," Kollin said.

Kollin tells us that customers enjoy working with Steve because he delivers an experience that goes beyond just "transactional".

"He brings a significant amount of technical substance to the table due to his 30+ years in the industry and takes an authentic interest in others," Kollin noted.

Kollin adds that Steve's ability to "open doors" with new customers and foster relationships with existing customers has ultimately put P1 in a favorable position

As for the next generation entering the trades, Steve's advice
is simple:

"Never be afraid to ask questions."

Even after decades in the industry, Steve says he continues to live by that mindset.

OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

When not at work, you'll most likely find Steve outdoors. He enjoys golfing, boating, and hiking, and each year he travels to Colorado with his daughter to climb 14,000-foot peaks, or "14ers".

Their first summit was Quandary Peak, accompanied by their dog, Ivory, who has become a regular hiking companion.

"One of my favorite adventures is tackling Grays and Torreys Peaks in a single trip, where the summit offers beautiful views of the village of Frisco below them," he said

"Every climb has become part of a tradition my daughter and I can share."

Steve's daughter earned her commercial pilot's license and recently became a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), making those trips together more meaningful as they pursue new challenges and celebrate each other's accomplishments together.