How to Scale Construction Without Losing the People with Joe Malone
January 7, 2026
Careers in construction are rarely built on master plans. They’re built on showing up, doing the work, and earning trust over time. In this episode of Beyond the Build: Innovation in Construction, hosts Scott Lowman and JP Scott sit down with Joe Malone, Executive Vice President and Partner at Haydon, to explore his journey from intern to executive leadership, the culture shift that reshaped the company, and why ownership, accountability, and people-first leadership are what sustain growth.
Careers in construction are rarely built on master plans. They’re built on showing up, doing the work, and earning trust over time. In this episode of Beyond the Build: Innovation in Construction, hosts Scott Lowman and JP Scott sit down with Joe Malone, Executive Vice President and Partner at Haydon, to explore his journey from intern to executive leadership, the culture shift that reshaped the company, and why ownership, accountability, and people-first leadership are what sustain growth.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why reliability, care, and humility drive long-term career growth
- How Haydon scaled from small civil jobs to $100M projects
- What changed when the company intentionally rebuilt its culture
- Why leaders who try to control everything eventually limit growth
- How empowerment works when paired with process and boundaries
- Why buy-in matters more than perfect schedules or plans
- How to avoid initiative overload and focus on what truly moves the business
- Why disappointment can be a stronger accountability driver than fear
- How presence and listening shape effective leadership
- What servant leadership looks like in a tough, blue-collar industry
Joe Malone is Executive Vice President and Partner at Haydon, where he leads both the Building and Civil Divisions, overseeing strategy and execution across the company’s portfolio. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joe earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Arizona State University. He joined Haydon in 2005 as an intern and steadily advanced through roles spanning project delivery, operations, and executive leadership. Known for his people-first approach, Joe champions ownership, accountability, and collaboration while staying closely connected to the field and the teams doing the work.