CHRIS PRAET
President
Chris Praet is President of Progress Carolina and is responsible for the executive leadership of the company and for all of its construction activities. Chris was one of the first members of the Progress Companies when they organized in 2007 and has more than 18 years of experience in the construction industry.
Before assuming his leadership role, Chris proved his capabilities in a variety of responsibilities for the Progress Companies, ranging from Superintendent to Vice President, which provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge, skills, and temperament each function requires. He upholds a strong commitment to the company’s culture of teamwork, quality, customer-first mindset, on-time completion, and the ongoing professional development of every individual on the team.
Prior to joining Progress, Chris held management positions with Centex Corporation and Davis Construction, where he gained experience in both the single-family and commercial markets. He began his construction management career with Custom Building Company, where he acquired both hands-on and supervisory experience within a diverse portfolio of completed projects including a specialization in both commercial and retail projects.
Chris served with distinction in both the United States Marine Corps, where he was a decorated veteran and the United States Air Force Reserve, where he was a non-commissioned officer. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. He has also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management and Business Administration from East Carolina University, after previously earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology from Pitt Community College.
Next to meeting his wife and welcoming their daughter, Chris considers joining the Progress Companies and working his way up the ladder to be the luckiest thing that has ever happened to him. The sense of partnership and collaboration at Progress fosters success, and he’s grateful each day for the supportive atmosphere that enables the team to work seamlessly together to complete extraordinary communities.
When he’s not working, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, who recently got her first go-cart. He finds great happiness in life’s simple pleasures including days at the beach and collecting the right tools to complete various jobs around the house. He also admits that he enjoys cutting the lawn ― possibly because it provides immediate gratification for a job well done.
Chris served as an adjunct professor at Kent State University, where he taught topics relating to Construction Management and Quality Management. He is a lifelong learner and devotes time to continuous improvement both personally and professionally through reading, continuing his graduate studies, meditating, and listening to podcasts.
