Jeff Cloward has spent over 13 years working at UMC, where he’s gone from a plumbing apprentice to operations manager, overseeing multiple branches. His path exemplifies what UMC stands for—growth, integrity, and a commitment to quality work.
A journey through the ranks
Jeff’s time with UMC began when he was hired as a plumbing apprentice, where he learned the trade hands-on. Over the years, he progressed through the ranks, becoming a journeyman, then a master plumber, and later a project manager (PM). Each step of his career at UMC helped him master different aspects of the trade, building the foundation for his current role as operations manager.
Operations manager
As operations manager, Jeff plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of UMC’s projects and the development of our team. He oversees all three branches of UMC and ensures that each team has everything it needs to run its operations effectively. His responsibilities include staffing, allocating manpower, and supporting quality work with additional training.
One way that Jeff helps ensure quality work at UMC is through regular training seminars and exercises. These trainings ensure that employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their roles. His most recent training for some of our field crew was a deep dive into reading blueprints and understanding plans. It included a hands-on portion that challenged team members with minimal instructions. The goal wasn’t just to test the team’s knowledge but to help develop their problem-solving skills and job readiness.
Navigating job site communication
One thing Jeff has learned at UMC is that no project ever goes exactly as planned. “Nothing ever starts when it says it’s going to start, and things rarely flow the way we think they will,” Jeff says. Managing manpower is a constant challenge on the job site. Sometimes, there are too many workers, and sometimes, there are too few, and it’s a constant juggling act to get it right for each site’s workload.” Jeff goes on to add “We make our own schedules from week to week, and we get pretty close to perfect.” However, the real key to success is flexibility on the job site. Jeff works with the project managers and general contractors to identify what areas can be worked on and adjusts schedules to ensure productivity for the project and UMC.
Jeff has learned that maintaining good relationships with project managers and general contractors is crucial. “We don’t try to enforce anything on the team,” he explains. Instead, he advocates for open communication and collaboration to get the job done. It’s something UMC has become known for on its projects and with its collaborators.
A culture of integrity
One critical factor that sets UMC apart from other companies is its culture of integrity. It’s one of the company’s core values and the one Jeff holds most dear. Since his time as an apprentice, he has seen the company grow quickly, and integrity has always been a focus. “When we make mistakes, we own up to them,” Jeff says. “It sucks to admit when you mess up, but taking responsibility is what makes us stand out from the rest.” This culture of integrity, combined with a focus on growth and the willingness to embrace change, has kept Jeff with UMC for the long haul. “A lot of companies don’t do that,” he reflects. “That’s one of the many reasons I’ve stuck with UMC.”
Jeff Cloward’s journey from apprentice to operations manager is a testament to the opportunities for growth and leadership at UMC. As an operation manager, he now focuses on training UMC team members, staffing job sites and maintaining strong relationships with our partners to help the company navigate the increasingly complex projects we take on. However, through it all, Jeff believes UMC’s core values of integrity and accountability continue to drive the company’s success, and he’s proud to be a part of the team.
