Norbert Vergez, from Millsboro, Delaware, served as the director of capital projects at P3 Builds in Texas. Before his role at P3, he had a career in the military and commercial sector, where he leveraged his extensive academic and leadership background.
His higher education journey began at Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and military studies. Mr. Vergez subsequently attended the US Army Flight School in Alabama, completing flight training and earning the Army Aviator Badge, along with certifications for AH-1F and UH-1H helicopters.
In 1991, Mr. Vergez enrolled at the US Army Maintenance Officer & Test Pilot School to study aeronautics and flight testing. Upon completion, he became a certified AH-1F Cobra Attack Helicopter test pilot and qualified as an Army aviation maintenance manager. He also completed the AH-64A helicopter certification course at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
To broaden his knowledge, Mr. Vergez attended the Florida Institute of Technology, graduating magna cum laude with a master’s degree in information systems. At the Command & General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he focused on leadership and command principles, becoming certified for promotion to field grade officer.
Mr. Vergez’s military training includes certification as a Department of Defense acquisition professional and a project management professional (PMP) from the Defense Acquisition University in Virginia. He is also a certified UH-60A helicopter pilot and graduated with honors, earning an MS in strategic studies from the US Army War College at Fort Leavenworth.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I establish priority tasks to accomplish. Adjust as required.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Through research and bounce ideas of trusted sources and people.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The use of reliable, safe and renewable resources in Aviation. Follow-up and acknowledgement of exceptional work by others.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Follow-up and acknowledgement of exceptional work by others.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Focus on family-work balance will lead to greater fulfillment.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Always give more of yourself to others then to yourself.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Listen to people and be open to other perspectives.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take a walk and call my daughters to see how their day is going.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Work hard and empower those around you by providing them the resources they need to succeed.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
That I did not see or recognize unscrupulous characters operating in my organizations orbit. My take away is to be more aware of my surroundings.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Great leadership comes from great people coalescing to do the right thing.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
MS Excel in planning and organizing.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
My favorite book is Team Yankee by Harold Coyle. The value I received came in the form of how team work in the face of adversity will lead to victory.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
“IF”… Imaginary friend. It brought me back to a time of childhood imagination and innocence.
Key learnings
- Believe the most people truly have the best intentions. Work to build on that foundation and they will help your origination to succeed.
- Work hard. But, never forget those who are there at home for they depend on you as much if not more than the organization.
- Never assume that your organization solely needs you to show them what to do. In order words don’t be a micro-manager. Articulate what you expect and they will, with the proper resources and mentorship; perform.
- Feed your mind through recreational reading to help you release creative energies.