William H. Goodrich

William H. Goodrich

CEO & Managing Partner, LeChase

Years in current role: 16

What was your biggest challenge in 2022?

As in many industries, resource constraints — with supply chain issues and limited access to some materials — continued to be a challenge in construction. Pricing and availability improved for some items during 2022, but in many cases we continued to address supply challenges. In addition, perhaps the largest resource issue we face continues to be people. Our industry is always looking for talent — in terms of skilled trades workers as well as project management and support staff. Construction is a great career offering a variety of opportunities, and we have to make more people aware of that.

What advice would you give young professionals in the Rochester business community?

I offer anyone starting a career the same advice: When you are engaged in dialogue with someone, focus solely on that interaction. That sounds obvious, but in today’s busy world, you have to tune out distractions and demands that vie for your attention. Be in the moment and really listen. Also, know there is more than one — sometimes more than two — sides to a story. Get all the facts and fully understand a situation before you react to it. My final, and perhaps most important, advice is to keep your priorities straight. That means family comes first, and always strive to do the right thing.

What do you think will be different about the Rochester community in five years?

As a board member of ROC2025, I believe Rochester is on the cusp of a renaissance in terms of business growth and our reputation for innovation. There are so many positives to our area — world-class educational and research facilities, cultural offerings that are often found only in larger cities, and access to the beauty and recreational opportunities of our Finger Lakes Region. Because of the pandemic, we’ve all learned that people don’t have to be as constrained by their work location, and I think Rochester is a draw for people and businesses who want the best possible work-life scenario.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.