CarolinaPower President Chris Moore Named to Construction Power List

CarolinaPower President, Chris Moore was among the South Carolina construction industry executives selected for the 2024 Construction Power List published by SC Biz News in September 2024. In a Q & A-style interview, Moore offered his perspective on industry trends related to sustainability and technology, as well as top challenges including cost volatility and the workforce shortage.

How has your company evolved from a sustainability perspective, and how do you meet rising demands for greener buildings?  

CarolinaPower has made significant strides in sustainability over the years, recognizing the increasing importance of environmentally responsible practices for our clients and communities.  Because we are an electrical contractor, our focus is on alternative energy – from solar, to battery energy storage, to EV charging.  Within buildings, we’ve been able to incorporate sustainability to build greener buildings through LED lighting, lighting controls, and building automation.  In addition, our prefabrication shop uses lean manufacturing processes – reducing waste and incorporating recycling.

Looking ahead, CarolinaPower will continue to innovate by exploring new sustainable practices that will allow us to meet and exceed the rising demands for greener buildings. We understand that sustainability is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to leading the way in creating solutions that are not only environmentally friendly but also enhance the well-being of those who use them.

What disruptive technology is having the greatest impact on the construction industry, and why?

Technology continues to evolve, increasing productivity, quality and more sustainable outcomes – through use of prefabrication, modularization and virtual construction/augmented reality, AI–Machine learning, robotics and more.

Earlier this year, we promoted Travis Oswald to Vice President, where he now oversees Construction Services, including Engineering, Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), and Prefabrication, in addition to continuing his management of the day-to-day operations at our Greenville, SC office.  One of his primary areas of focus in this new leadership role is the standardization of systems and processes within CarolinaPower. He is applying industry best practices and is working closely with our sister companies in the PPC family, including Georgia-based MetroPower, to leverage shared resources for the benefit of all. Taking our construction services to a new level and aligning processes and procedures across companies is a huge undertaking. To continue as a leader in our industry, we needed a champion to drive these efforts.

What is your strategy to cope with persistent cost volatility?

Our strategy to manage persistent cost volatility is centered around proactive planning, strategic partnerships, and leveraging technology.  We believe that early project involvement and award is the best way to cope with cost volatility.  The sooner a construction team is created and a budget is established, all team members can work to secure best value pricing and make necessary decisions to protect the budget.  Not only does this approach cope with price volatility, but it also limits risk due to product availability. Design-Build (D-B) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) are common project delivery methods that incorporate early award and a team approach to the project.

We’ve also built strong, long-term relationships with our suppliers and vendors. These partnerships enable us to negotiate more favorable terms and secure purchasing agreements, which can help mitigate the impact of price increases. In some cases, we’ve even explored alternative sourcing options or materials that provide more price stability without compromising quality.

As noted earlier, CarolinaPower is increasingly turning to prefabrication, which allow us to control costs more effectively. By assembling components off-site in a controlled environment, we reduce waste, improve efficiency, and better manage labor costs, all of which help buffer against market volatility.

How have you adapted to the significant labor gap in the construction industry to fill open workforce positions?

1. Recruiting – Changing the construction narrative.  The construction industry has, in the past, been painted as a last resort work option.  To the contrary, construction is an honorable career.  It provides opportunities for personal and professional growth, supports families, and contributes to the communities where we live. Adapting to the significant labor gap in the construction industry has required us to take a multifaceted approach, focusing on recruitment, training, and retention. This summer, CarolinaPower participated in a summer Construction Camp for high schoolers. This allowed us to reach students as they were evaluating career path options.  While Construction Science and Management (CSM) students at Clemson University were on summer break, the Nieri Department of Construction, Development and Planning hosted a camp attended by 15 high school students from states across the country. CarolinaPower kicked off the week with an information-packed, half-day session intended to give the students a glimpse into the world of electrical contracting through various “learning stations.”

2. Prefabrication – CarolinaPower has integrated technology and prefabrication to supplement our workforce. By leveraging technology and prefabrication, we've been able to increase efficiency and reduce the strain on our labor force, allowing us to do more with fewer resources on the jobsite.  We build assemblies in a manufacturing setting that are later installed on site.  This prefabrication drives safety and productivity.

3.  Apprenticeship – I can’t say enough about “earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships,” like those facilitated by ABC Carolinas . . . in conjunction with Greenville Technical College and several contractor partners.  Apprenticeships are an ideal way for young people and those wanting to change careers to enter the construction industry. Apprenticeships are a balance between classroom study and on the job education.  After our four-year program, CarolinaPower apprenticeship graduates are well-prepared for growth in the industry.

What is something most people would be surprised to know about you?

Every Thanksgiving, our family turns our front yard into a small football field (complete with painted lines, end zones, and field logos) and hosts a rivalry game – Turkeys vs. Hams – that we affectionately call the Gravy Bowl at Moore Field.  Each year, we step-up the experience . . . jerseys, more elaborately painted field, pom-poms and cow bells for spectators, half- time entertainment, and lights so that the second half can be played after dark.  Several years ago, we even had friends from Zimbabwe travel to Greenville to experience Thanksgiving in America and participate in the game. The annual Gravy Bowl isn’t just a game, but a tradition that creates lasting memories for everyone involved.

Reprinted with permission. View digital article on scbiznews.com.