The Real Groundbreaking Happens Long Before the Ceremony

I had the privilege of joining the leadership team and my fellow Trinity River Authority board members to celebrate the groundbreaking of our new general offices in Arlington. 

Like every groundbreaking, it lasted only a few moments, although the surprisingly cool July weather let us linger a little longer. The hard hat and gold ceremonial shovel found their place in my new office, and before long, heavy equipment will replace the smiling faces gathered around that patch of Texas dirt.

But the real groundbreaking happened long before Friday morning.

It happened in board meetings where difficult questions were asked. It happened around conference tables where ideas were debated and refined. It happened through the persistence of leaders, staff, engineers, architects, and contractors who stayed focused on a shared vision: creating a space for the important work of preserving the Trinity River Basin for future generations of Texans.

As I stood there Friday, I found myself thinking less about the building that will soon rise from the ground and more about the people who made that moment possible. I've spent most of my career around construction projects. As a construction lawyer, I've learned that the strongest foundations are rarely the ones made of concrete.

They're built on trust. Strengthened by collaboration.

And they're sustained by leaders who understand that the greatest accomplishments are almost always the result of many people working toward something bigger than themselves. People will walk through the doors of the Trinity River Authority's new headquarters without ever thinking about the years of planning and the people who made it possible.

That's as it should be. I admire those leaders whose fingerprints are everywhere, even though their names are nowhere.

Congratulations to everyone who helped bring this project forward. I can't wait to watch the building take shape so the team at the Trinity River Authority can continue to shape the future of water in Texas.

Pinching myself that I have a front row seat — and a golden shovel whose finger smudges remind me there are always unsung heroes behind the glossy photo ops.

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