Meet the Expert: Chance Mitchell, Senior Program Development Manager
What is your role and how would you describe what you do?
I serve as Senior Program Development Manager, providing strategic leadership for new and developing client engagements. I lead early customer discussions, partnering closely with clients to understand their goals and co-create actionable plans that advance their projects. In addition, I oversee HPM’s Huntsville office — supporting current pursuits while attracting new clients across HPM’s full range of service lines.
What’s your day-to-day look like?
No two days look the same — and that’s what I enjoy most about my role. I wear many different hats depending on the needs of our clients and teams. One day I may be focused on estimating, the next on operations, and another on business development.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned in this industry that’s stuck with you?
Relationships are the driving force behind our industry. We can have everything look perfect on paper, but without deep, meaningful relationships, we miss the mark. Trust and collaboration are what truly move projects forward.
What’s the last thing you did to help make a project run smoother?
One of the advantages of working at HPM is the incredible talent across our teams. Recently, we encountered roadblocks on a few projects, and I helped identify those challenges and outline a clear path forward so design and construction efforts could continue moving ahead efficiently.
What are you working on now?
That depends on the time of day you ask. Over the past several months, I’ve supported a wide range of projects — including aviation, higher education, K–12, and industrial facilities—each with its own unique challenges and opportunities.
How did you get started in the industry/get started on your career path?
I started in the construction industry at a very early age. My family worked in industrial construction, and I was drawn to the people and culture while working in the industry as early as high school. I’ve been part of it ever since.
What’s your most memorable project/career highlight?
I’ve been fortunate to work on many exciting projects throughout my career, but my greatest highlight is maintaining strong relationships with clients long after a project is complete. Seeing that trust continue over time has been incredibly rewarding.
What’s the best part of your job?
The people — and watching our clients’ visions become reality through the hard work and dedication of our teams.
Check back for more Meet the Expert series throughout the year and connect with Chance Mitchell on Linkedin to learn more about his role with HPM.
