Luis Castaneda joins HB Construction with 19 years of experience in the construction and engineering industry. He has been extensively involved in a wide range of healthcare, education, and commercial projects. We talked with Luis about his passion for construction and mentorship.  

Tell us about your background in engineering?

My structural engineering background started many years ago. I love engineering and enjoy its challenges. Because of that knowledge, I can help project teams find solutions to minimize cost and schedule impacts. I enjoy building relationships with peers by sharing engineering knowledge with my team and using it on other projects.  

What do you enjoy most about working in construction?

Mentoring and learning. I believe collaboration is essential and that you can learn something from everyone. Camaraderie and teamwork are motivators for me.  

What are your favorite types of projects?

I love working on challenging yet complex projects like hospitals. They‘re more complicated and require a different level of coordination to be successful.   

How do you approach complex projects?  

Processes need to be flexible for specific projects. It’s not a one size fits all in construction. Solutions need to be adjusted for maximum efficiency. I also believe that project team adaptability throughout the construction cycle and how we respond to challenges determines project successes.   

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and being surrounded by the mountains. During my free time, I like to visit Santa Fe for the arts and culture it offers.