People you should know: Eric Peterson
Eric Peterson
President, Septagon Construction Company, Inc.
AGE: 55
JOB DESCRIPTION: Provide construction services to commercial, industrial and institutional clients throughout mid- Missouri.
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 34
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Memphis, Tenn.
EDUCATION: Diploma from Christian Brothers High School in Memphis. Bachelor’s degree in forestry/journalism and
master’s degree in public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Metro Rotary member; Job Point board of directors member; Muscular Dystrophy Golf Tournament corporate sponsor; Columbia chapter of Ducks Unlimited co-chair; City of Columbia Visioning Process participant; Columbia Chamber of Commerce member; U. S. Green Building Council member; United Way contributor and past division chair; Central Missouri Development Council member.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Six years as a consulting and practicing forester, 27 years in facilities management/
construction/construction management.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: I really like Byron Hill of ABC Labs. Byron is a fun and entertaining person to be around and a brilliant businessman. He also has a great love of the outdoors and outdoor lifestyle and a superb
code of ethics.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I am honored that people choose Septagon Construction to build their churches, schools and places of business. Delivering on commitments based on a relationship of trust, seeing what you have
accomplished at the end of the day, working as a part of the design-and-construction team, being a good steward of our
natural resources used in the construction trades and continuing to develop new relationships all are very fulfilling for me.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING: I would build very low-energy-use or energy-producing homes. If I couldn’t build at all, I would write for a living. I would travel, living the outdoor lifestyle, hunting, fishing and observing the natural environment and write about observations and inspirations found here.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME: The shift from working for myself in the private sector to working for the university and the public sector. I think working for yourself, you have unlimited freedom to plan and execute jobs with your staff and clients, with the focus being on the bottom line. While the public sector is concerned with efficiency, the emphasis is much more on the process. I think once you realize there is a higher degree of accountability required in the public sector, the rules and regulations that initially appeared burdensome make more sense.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: The renovation of Lela Rainey Wood Hall at Stephens College was certainly one of my favorites. On two occasions, I met Stephens alumnae and their spouses who met, or had their first date, in the ballroom. Both began to cry as they related their first encounters with each other and how much it meant to them to see the ballroom restored to its original grandeur.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: It is usually feast or famine, and it is guaranteed to cycle between the two. We are lucky here in Columbia, as the hills and valleys are not so steep.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I enjoy being with my family outside on the water or watching the kids play sports. I also enjoy golf, duck and deer hunting, fishing, traveling, reading and astronomy.
FAMILY: Wife: Barbara Payne Peterson. Daughters: Erin and Sara Peterson, Kelsey and Taylor Payne.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: The site of our next job! No, seriously, Jesse Hall Auditorium. Where else can you experience culture from all over the world in one place—acrobats from China, ballets or symphonies from all over the country and world, New York dance troops—or step in a time machine and see the Four Tops, Glen Miller or Jesus Christ Superstar?
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Professionally, the exterior restoration of Jesse Hall while I was a construction manager atthe University of Missouri. Personally, watching my children blossom as they enter adulthood.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: I backpacked more than 600 miles one summer, mostly on the Pacific Crest Trail.