Member Highlight: Tyrone Gillam

Throughout his career, Tyrone Gillam (Local 68 – St. Paul, MN) has worked on a variety of job sites. Now, as a respected superintendent at Tri-Construction, he is a great example of what it means to be an involved union member.

In high school, Tyrone attended a career day knowing he had to start looking into his future and the options available after graduation. His grandma said he was going to be in construction, telling him, “Jesus was a carpenter, so I think you’re going to be a carpenter too.” In 1995, Tyrone earned his diploma and remembering his grandma’s words, he attended Summit Academy graduating in 1998 from the pre-apprenticeship program. 

The following year, he was hired on as an apprentice with the Carpenters Union. In 2005, the economy took a dive and Tyrone found himself struggling to find steady work. At that time, he was a single father of two boys. “It was getting really hard for me to work for two days and then be laid off for two weeks until I could find something else,” Tyrone recalled. He made the decision to leave the union, but eight years later Tyrone returned wanting to get back into the union trades. 

In 2013, he was accepted back as an apprentice, working to redo his time in the Training Center. “I had to do it all over again. I was fortunate enough that they credited me one thousand hours for my previous experience, but this time I was determined to be a role model to the younger kids. I finished the apprenticeship for the second time in 2015.”

During that time, Tyrone was an outstanding example for his peers. After graduating, he worked hard as a carpenter in the field. He was nominated for the 212 Journeyman Leadership Program and went to Las Vegas for the training. In Vegas, there was an exercise where participants could fill out a card describing where they wanted to be in 5 years. Tyrone wrote that he wanted to be a superintendent. His goal was always to be a leader on the job.

Toward the end of 2019, Tyrone was experiencing knee issues and his doctor told him he needed to get out of the field. Tyrone worked in several roles climbing the construction ladder as a journeyman and then a foreman. He got his first superintendent job outside of the union. Finally, when the opportunity presented itself, he interviewed with Tri-Construction, a signatory contractor in Minneapolis, MN, and has been a union superintendent ever since. 

When asked about his favorite part of the job, Tyrone said, “I love what I do. I get to tell my family about all the projects I have done and the buildings that I’ve made.” As a carpenter Tyrone has been in all parts of the state. “I feel like I am a part of Minneapolis and Minnesota. I’ve traveled all over.” 

Tyrone outside a project in Minneapolis, MN.

Tyrone is a well-known member of his community. He finds a lot of gratification going to job fairs and doing outreach in his area. “One of the things I get asked a lot is how did you get into this role and this position? As a minority superintendent, they see my success and the life I have built for myself. They want that too.” Tyrone gets to share his story, his struggles, and his triumphs with others and encourage them to get involved with the union.

He shares how the Carpenters Union really prepared him for the job. “We go through intense schooling that teaches you not only how to build something, but how to read prints, OSHA training, CPR, fall protection, and more. All of these things that I do on a day-to-day basis as a superintendent,” he stated.

Tyrone embodies the resiliency and dedication that define a successful career in construction. “I’ve had good days and bad days, but I have loved my career. It’s all about your attitude and how you handle it,” reflects Tyrone. He knows the importance of perseverance and a positive approach in overcoming challenges on and off the jobsite.