Industry Reformer: Steven Halverson’s Impact on U.S. Construction Policy

Steven Thomas Halverson’s name is synonymous with transformative leadership in the American construction industry. While widely known for his corporate achievements as CEO of The Haskell Company and Chairman of Gilbane, Inc., Halverson’s influence extends far beyond boardrooms and building sites. Over the past two decades, he has played a crucial role in shaping U.S. construction policy, becoming a formidable reformer and advocate for innovation, workforce development, and sustainable infrastructure.
Halverson’s involvement in construction policy reform is rooted in his belief that the built environment is central to economic growth, public safety, and quality of life. Recognizing that outdated regulations, fragmented standards, and labor challenges were stifling the industry’s potential, he committed himself to effect change at the national level.
As Chairman of the Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT), an organization comprising CEOs from leading design and construction firms, Halverson became a vocal proponent for modernizing industry policy. He worked to align private sector best practices with public sector procurement standards, advocating for integrated project delivery (IPD), design-build models, and performance-based contracting in federal and state projects.
Under his leadership, CIRT focused on bridging the gap between policy and practice. Halverson championed legislative initiatives that encouraged innovation in project delivery, sustainability requirements, and efficiency standards, making it easier for contractors to deliver value while maintaining high levels of accountability and transparency.
Perhaps one of Halverson’s most significant policy legacies lies in workforce development. As construction faced a persistent labor shortage exacerbated by an aging workforce and a lack of skilled trade training, Halverson sounded the alarm.
Through his role with the Construction Industry Roundtable and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), Halverson advocated for national investment in technical education, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentialing. He argued that addressing workforce development was not only an economic imperative but also a matter of national security, given the construction sector’s role in critical infrastructure.
He was instrumental in pushing for policy incentives that encouraged high schools and community colleges to expand trade-based programs. His influence helped secure federal support for vocational training grants, tax incentives for companies offering apprenticeships, and the development of national standards for skilled labor certifications.
Halverson’s policy reform efforts have also extended into the realm of sustainability and climate resilience. Long before ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) became a corporate buzzword, he was promoting green building practices and sustainable infrastructure investment.
He collaborated with policymakers to integrate sustainability metrics into federal infrastructure planning. His efforts contributed to the expansion of LEED certifications, energy-efficient design requirements, and the incorporation of lifecycle cost analysis in public procurement.
Additionally, he supported the development of public-private partnership (P3) models that incentivize innovation in infrastructure resilience, particularly critical in the face of increasing climate-related events and aging public assets.
Halverson’s legal background gave him a sharp eye for the intersection between policy, compliance, and governance. As the Chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and other policy-shaping entities, he emphasized the need for clearer, fairer policy in education and other matters.
His input was key in the development of federal guidelines that prioritize worker safety and equity in hiring, especially on federally funded projects. Halverson’s voice helped push through reforms on safety regulations, reporting demographic data on hiring, and providing opportunities for minority-owned and small businesses.
Steven Halverson may have spent his career leading some of the most successful construction firms in the United States, but his true legacy lies in building a better industry. His policy influence has helped reshape how the U.S. approaches construction, making it more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable.
From workforce development and procurement reform to sustainability and governance, Halverson has proven that meaningful change doesn’t just come from the top of a company; it comes from the intersection of leadership and legislation. As the industry continues to evolve, his contributions to U.S. construction policy will remain a foundation upon which future progress is built.