CIM Graduates

CIM Graduate

Greg Mercurio

School: California State University - Chico

Graduation Date: May, 2010

Employer: Independent Floor Testing and Inspection, Inc. (IFTI)

“The CIM program provides students with such a diverse background of information on the concrete industry that it allows students to go into so many different industries related to concrete. CIM gives you the foundation you need to jump right into the real world and continue to learn and grow throughout your career.”

GREG GRADUATED FROM CSU-CHICO IN MAY 2010. We asked Greg a few questions about what he has been up to since his graduation from CIM.

What is your current position and responsibilities?
I still work at IFTI and I am currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this position, I am responsible for a little bit of everything, from business development, new product development, to account management. I run a weekly strategic leadership meeting with department heads to ensure all departments are working together in concert to grow the business.

Why did you choose to work with IFTI?
I grew into the position, starting as a technical writer and moving up the ladder over the past eight years. I chose the company because they were a small, specialized company with growth potential. When I started at the company, there were only five employees. We now have more than 20.

How has the CIM program prepared you for your current job responsibilities?
The CIM program provides students with such a diverse background of information on the concrete industry that it allows students to go into so many different industries related to concrete. IFTI specializes in concrete slab moisture testing, something I learned little to nothing about during my time in school. However, the CIM program gives you the foundation you need to jump right into the real world and continue to learn and grow throughout your career.

Why did you choose the CIM program?
At the time, I was a business major interested in construction management. A friend of mine at school told me about the new program and we both went to the information session during our freshman year. We were both overwhelmed by the industry support and the fact that the major was created and funded by an industry in dire need of hiring educated college graduates.

The CIM program works with businesses to provide summer internships for CIM students. During your time at Chico State, were you able to take advantage of that program or any other special programs to develop your industry knowledge?

Absolutely! I was fortunate enough to have an internship at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). That summer was when everything that I had learned up to that point started to click and become real. There is only so much classwork and labs can provide. Living the industry for 40 hours a week over a 10-week span really gets you acclimated to the real world.

What advice would you give to current CIM students?
It is not all about what you learned during your time at school. College is a very fun training ground for the real world. As long as you learn how to learn in school and find something you are passionate about, the rest will fall into place.