Breaking Barriers and Building Careers in Construction

With a nearly 10-year U.S. Army career and over 10 years in the construction industry, Ray Wallace knows a thing or two about hard work—and as a testament to that work ethic, the 39-year-old father of three was recently named ABC’s 2025 Young Professional of the Year.

One is a veteran who says he’s learned more about leadership by listening than he ever has by talking. Another started out as a craftsman before realizing that his true passion was actually teaching his trade. And the third is a seasoned craft pro who wants his team to know that the sky’s the limit when it comes to their future in the construction industry.

A new jobs report paints an optimistic upcoming for the construction workforce.