Mountain West custom home builder · Operations Director
Why the owner said no.
The owner wanted to make an offer after the first interview. Four team members then interviewed the candidate independently and recorded confidence scores of 9, 8, 5 and 2 out of 10.
That disagreement led to a two-hour technical interview with drawings, followed by references and a separate community check. The CEO found that the candidate could not read plans accurately even with help. One team interviewer had also flagged resistance to coaching.
The candidate was disqualified before an offer. The role remained open for another month.
General Contractor · Pacific Palisades · Superintendent
Why the owner said yes.
VCI needed a Superintendent who could manage the project, trades and client relationship without referring every decision to President Damien Vallernaud.
Before outreach began, we redefined the role for VCI's boutique residential work in Pacific Palisades. It required a different scope of responsibility from a Superintendent role at a large general contractor.
Each interview produced a written score and a list of open questions. Damien's written reflection after the second interview scored 9/10 with one question, which was resolved before the offer. Rob Brant signed January 15, 2026 and started January 20.
The first-year work began before Rob's start date. Our integration advisor held a pre-start call, then a structured two-month check-in in early April.
Rob spent his first weeks listening and learning how VCI ran its work instead of trying to prove himself. Trades who had been in flux under the prior Superintendent began calling Rob directly within the first month. At the two-month check-in, the integration advisor described him as highly engaged and taking responsibility for results.