Construction Leader Spotlight
- Michele M. Barnes
- May 9
- 4 min read
Updated: May 12
Dan Scibisz
Chief Operating Officer, Hirsch Construction
When you talk about operational excellence in retail construction, Dan Scibisz is one of the first names that comes to mind.
With over 45 years in the business, Dan has shaped the success of thousands of projects through thoughtful leadership, a risk-first mindset, and deep respect for people. If you’ve worked with him — or with Hirsch Construction — you know what I mean.
I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Dan and the Hirsch team on many complex builds over the years. We’ve shared site walks, tight timelines, plenty of laughter — and yes, even a few punch-free projects. (Those are rare!)
Dan and I are from the same generation of builders, back when relationships mattered, drawings were faxes, and you learned fast or failed faster. So I’m especially proud to feature him in this spotlight. His calm, no-nonsense leadership is something we can all learn from.
Hope you enjoy getting to know Dan as much as I’ve enjoyed working with him.
From Shop Floors to C-Suites
Dan’s story begins in the era of shopping malls. As a young subcontractor, he installed millwork across New England. In 1983, he joined a new company, Hirsch Construction, as a superintendent.
What followed was a steady rise built on reliability and grit. Project Manager. Senior PM. VP. COO. The titles changed. But Dan’s mindset stayed constant: focus, integrity, and accountability.
"Do what you love. You'll never work a day."
That mindset still drives him. It’s why teams want to follow. Why clients trust him. And why his influence runs industry-wide.
Anticipate the Risk. Eliminate the Surprise.
If Dan has a trademark move, it’s proactive risk management. He designed Hirsch’s internal system to log and track project threats. From RFP to pre-construction, potential risks get flagged and assigned. Each item gets an owner and a mitigation plan.
Weekly reviews keep surprises off the radar. Technology strengthens this discipline. Tools like Ground Penetrating Radar and Point Cloud scanning support early detection. Laser layout systems like LightYX spot issues before they’re real. The result is simple… Fewer change orders. Less chaos. More client trust.
As Dan puts it, the best time to solve a problem is before it starts.
This isn't about bells and whistles. It’s about predictability in uncertainty. Dan knows: calm planning beats urgent recovery.
Forward Momentum, No Matter What
Dan recalls one defining early-career project. The team discovered half the ground slab had been removed. The structural solution would take weeks, but the schedule couldn’t slip. Most people would’ve stopped. Dan pivoted.
“We focused on the areas we could build,” he says. Crews kept moving. Momentum stayed alive. By the time the fix arrived, most of the store stood ready.
That project shaped a belief: move forward, even if sideways. This mindset now defines Hirsch’s playbook. Progress over panic. Every obstacle becomes a search for options — not excuses.
The Hidden Cost of Cutting Corners
Dan holds a strong, sometimes unpopular, view on retail’s future. “Brick-and-mortar retail isn’t going anywhere,” he says. “People still want to see, touch and feel products.”
He sees value in physical space. In real-world brand experiences. But what worries him isn’t digital competition — it’s cost obsession.
Too many brands chase speed over substance. They rely on boilerplate specs, vague drawings, and compressed timelines. “That’s where trust erodes,” he says. Cheap now usually means expensive later: in delays, revisions, or worse.
“Value engineering shouldn’t mean undervaluing people or outcomes.”
Dan’s message is clear: quality costs, but so does cutting corners.
People First, Always
Ask anyone on Dan’s team what sets him apart. They’ll say he knows names. He remembers details. He listens. Dan balances schedule discipline with human understanding.
He pushes for accountability, not perfection. What matters most for him: progress, communication, and treating people with respect. That’s how he’s built not just teams, but legacies.
A Career Built to Last
Even after 45 years, Dan still loves construction. “Every project teaches you something,” he says. He lives by one simple rule: stay curious, stay useful. Former teammates now lead their own companies and still call him mentor.
“You don’t just build stores. You build people.”
That’s the legacy Dan values most.
Looking Ahead
Dan sees a future where execution defines brand experience. As retail evolves, construction becomes the final handshake. Thoughtfulness, detail, and relationships will separate leaders from vendors.
Dan’s career reminds us that consistency, curiosity, and care aren’t just soft skills — they’re the foundation of trust. And in construction, trust builds everything.
Until next time,
Michele
KRCrossing Consulting
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Next issue: In our Brand Backstory series, we’ll explore how one iconic footwear brand has stayed relevant for over a century, balancing tradition, innovation, and a deep connection to place. You won’t want to miss this one.
