From intern to CEO, Chris Halapy has spent nearly 30 years growing alongside Shook Construction. In this episode of Legends of Culture, he joins Jared Oakes to discuss how strong values, intentional leadership and a commitment to people have helped build a culture that has endured for generations.
Chris reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy, from watching his father’s work ethic to learning firsthand how workplace culture influences performance and engagement. He and Jared discuss why leaders must create opportunities for people to struggle and grow, how Shook balances long-tenured institutional knowledge with fresh perspectives, and the importance of hiring for values, investing in leadership development and aligning teams around a shared purpose. Chris also shares why culture requires constant attention—and why leaders must model the behaviors they expect from others.
Their conversation explores the power of culture as a competitive advantage and why alignment matters more than strategy alone. Chris shares the lessons learned from transforming a nearly 100-year-old company and why creating a great culture requires the same discipline and intentionality as building anything designed to last.
Tune in to discover how investment in people and a shared set of values can help organizations grow, adapt and succeed without losing what makes them special.
Chris Halapy is President & CEO of Shook Construction, where he has spent nearly three decades helping build a culture rooted in relationships and collaboration. Having started his career at Shook as a co-op student, he has worked across every facet of the construction business before leading the company’s overall strategy and performance. Known for his commitment to developing young professionals and supporting small and diverse businesses, Chris believes that strong cultures, like strong foundations, are built to last.