YLG Spotlight

Name: Matt Cook

Company: NOVA Offices Inc.

Why are you a ULI member?

ULI allows me the opportunity to interact and network with dynamic people throughout the real estate and construction arena.

What does ULI mean to you?

Extremely valuable. The connections I have made and the experts I have had the opportunity to hear present have added value to my career.

What is your current job and what types of projects are you working on now?

I am Vice President of Business Development for NOVA Services, a firm that provides comprehensive consulting services with expertise in the areas of geotechnical engineering, materials testing, and special inspections. NOVA has a very diverse client list so the types of projects really vary. We do a lot of mixed-use and multi-family projects throughout San Diego and Orange County, like “Park and Market” that recently opened. Our work ranges from being on the San Diego Unified School District’s as-needed list to working on projects for amusement parks like the Zoo and LEGOLAND.  We also work on multiple projects in the hospitality market and just finished The Pendry. Additionally, we work on shopping centers like Westfield UTC, a senior living project in Otay, the Siemens SONGS sub-station, and SDG&E, so there is not a limit on size or complexity. In the public sector, we have projects at Camp Pendleton (NAVFAC), City of San Diego, City of Carlsbad, and also work with water districts and municipalities.

How did you end up in your current job and who or what inspired you to enter the field you’re in?

NOVA’s owner was my inspiration to join the industry. He is also my father-n-law. At family events, he would show me projects his firm worked on. I appreciate the idea of being on a team to build something that allows people to live, work, and play.

 What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t working in your current field?

My family has a commercial printing business in the Poway Business Park. I still have a small part in it right now so I would either be there or back in the military

 What traits do you think define a successful leader?

The ability to provide purpose, motivation, and direction to complete any given task. If you can’t tell, that’s from the army.

What do you do in your spare time?

What spare time? I have a beautiful wife and three crazy kids all under 6-years old. I hit the gym every morning to clear my head and start the day off right.

What has been the most important lesson in your career that you would like to pass along?

Follow through with everything you commit to upfront, be honest, meet people, and focus on relationships

Favorite quote?

I’m not sure where this originated, but something I remember from the military, “Always choose the harder right over the easier wrong”.

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