With over 80 years of steel construction experience, Metropolitan Steel is one of the most accomplished and professional teams in the industry. We provide our clients with the highest level of dedication and commitment that ends in perfection with each and every project. Success is our number one goal, and our results consistently speak for themselves.
How did you get started in construction?
I started working summers while in college as I was completing a degree in mechanical engineering. I did carpentry, electrical and plumbing for residential; learning mostly from my grandfather. After losing a job at major steel company working as a shops foreman (mostly ironworking), I segued into steel erection contracting.
What are some of your responsibilities?
Estimating steel erection; mostly bridges. Project manage bridge work and some buildings.
What do you like most about your job?
The team we have. Our ‘whatever it takes’ attitudes. Having the jobs beat my estimates as far as budget and schedule.
Biggest lesson learned?
The capabilities of the MSI’s Field Forces. They make my estimations for job costs much more accurate.
Favorite band in high school?
Led Zeppelin.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
Motorcycle riding.
How did you get started in construction?
My father-in-law offered me a job and I jumped at the chance.
What project are you most proud of and why?
Amazon ranks at the top because of it’s size and success thus far…
What do you like most about your job?
I enjoy the family atmosphere here.
Biggest lesson learned?
That life can change in an instant.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
Hunting.
Favorite band in high school?
The Doors.
Who is someone you really admire?
My mother.
What motivates you every day?
My family.
How did you get started in construction?
My father was a carpenter for Brown & Root. He got me a job with them after attending college for a couple of years and getting married and starting a family.
What are some of your responsibilities?
To insure that we are providing the quality of work that will meet or exceed our reputation and customers’ expectations. Also, to assist any department where my experience and education could be helpful.
What project are you most proud of and why?
Our Navy Pier Flyover project. We were called in to assist with the welding which happened to be fracture critical. The contractors and consultants that were hired couldn’t get the welding process that they wanted to use to pass the required testing. I changed to type of wire and welding parameters to improve the elongation and we hired 2 ironworkers that we knew to be very good at the process to run the procedure qualification tests required. We aced the tests on the 1st try (after months of trial and error by others) and were responsible for completing all of the most important welds on the project.
What do you like most about your job?
I like being the guy that people come to when they need previous experience or technical advice on a subject, especially on complicated projects. I love to resolve problems.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned?
To realize that everyone must make their own choices in life, even when you think it’s not the right one. A big part of growth in life is from making the wrong choice and learning from your mistakes. Sometimes it’s very hard to accept that people won’t agree with your position or take your advice on a subject.
What motivates you every day?
My family… I want my children and grandchildren to be loved, happy, and to enjoy the gift of life. I want to be the person they love, respect, and honor the same way as I did with my father.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
I love aviation and am a private pilot although I haven’t flown in years. I also love remote control model aviation, photography, hunting, fishing, golf, traveling, and remodeling houses. There are others but we won’t list them all here.
How did you get started in construction?
I enjoyed working on projects and building things with my Dad.
What project are you most proud of and why?
Millennium Park. It was unique, complicated and challenging.
What do you like most about your job?
Planning projects and seeing them through to a successful completion.
What motivates you every day?
Knowing that others are depending on me.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned?
There are always changes in life and if you are not sure about something...ask others.
Who is someone you really admire?
My Mom & Dad
How did you get started in construction?
I was asked to help build a house when I was in college. After a few months, I realized I love working with my hands and seeing my accomplishment, so I switched gears and started going to school for construction and finding jobs that will help me learn and grow in the industry.
What project are you most proud of and why?
Amazon. I am proud of the time and effort everyone put into this to make it a successful project for Metro from bid time to finish. I am proud of how this job pushed/forced me out of some comfort zones and pushed me to become a better project manager.
What do you like most about your job?
The support I have from my co-workers.
Biggest lesson learned?
To be confident in myself, and not let past failures hold me back.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
Hanging out with my family.
What motivates you every day?
My family – being the best for them and setting the example for my son.
How did you get started in construction?
Summer job in high school.
What project are you most proud of and why?
Every project I’ve ever been a part of at Metropolitan.
Favorite high school band?
Scorpions.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
Exercise.
Who is someone you really admire?
My father, he instilled my work ethic.
What do you like most about your job?
I love the people here! I like that the job is challenging, intellectually stimulating, and I enjoy getting to be a part of the building process and seeing a project go from the blueprints to the final product.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned?
No project is ever simple!
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
I enjoy acting, directing, and writing live theater! I also enjoy reading, golfing, fishing, and working out at the gym.
Who was your favorite band in high school?
The Beatles and GRiZ
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Tennessee, where my mom has a few acres of land.
Who is someone you really admire?
Genuinely, I really admire Tim Caballero. He is a hard worker, very successful, demands respect but at the same time he is kind and works hard to give back and share his success with others. He genuinely cares about his employees, and he is never content with where he is currently at, always working to better himself as a person and a business owner. Humble, honest, and intelligent. A great man to look up to.
What motivates you every day?
My mother.
What do you like most about your job?
Everyone respects each other. Tim and Red genuinely care about the wellbeing of all employees and Tim is always looking for ways to grow as a Team.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned?
That you can give someone all the resources in the world to succeed but if it’s not in their desire to do so, they won’t put out the effort.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
Going to concerts, cheer competitions and watching a good movie.
Who was your favorite band in high school?
Backstreet Boys
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Anywhere that has beaches :)
Who is someone you really admire?
My grandmother
What motivates you every day?
My determination to succeed and my children
What’s a bucket list item?
To build my dream home from the ground up
What are some of your responsibilities?
I help with administrative or personal tasks as needed such as: emails, calendars, travel, editing, and drafting documents.
What do you like most about your job?
My job is never boring, and I work with wonderful people.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned?
I have learned that teamwork and trust are essential and I am glad to have that at Metropolitan Steel.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
I play semi-professional soccer and enjoy travelling.
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Thailand, but there is always time to find a new favorite.
What motivates you every day?
My family, friends, and dogs. There is also something intrinsically satisfying about helping someone else in need.
What is a bucket list item?
I would love to ride a horse running at full speed, no joke.
How did you get started in construction?
My father owned a construction company building homes, which sparked my interest in construction. I wanted to be an architect but decided to become a civil engineer instead.
What are some of your responsibilities?
As a project manager, I oversee the entire project from star to finish ensuring the crew is well equipped with the tools and resources available to complete the project on time and to the highest standard. My goal is to create a smooth, headache-fee process for everyone involved.
What do you like most about your job?
Working on bridges which involves updating infrastructure to better serve the public, ensuring they are structurally sound and safe for years to come.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned?
Planning is a crucial aspect of any project, and without it, the chances of failure increase dramatically.
What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
Golfing is my favorite hobby outside of work, I’d admit I still shank the ball occasionally. It’s the one good shot that makes the round rewarding.
Who was your favorite band in high school?
Dave Matthews Band
Who is someone you really admire?
My father taught me how to work and molded me into the person I am today. I’ve learned so many lessons from him along the way. One of the most important lessons I learned from him is that no matter how many times you cut a piece of wood, eventually you’ll cut it to the right length.
What motivates you every day?
The employees of Metropolitan, the way they work and how dedicated they are to being the best ironworkers.
Signatory Contractor to:
Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT)
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local Unions 1
Iron Workers Union Local 63
393 Aurora
444 Joliet
Metropolitan has been an important member of our team on several jobs. Tim Caballero and his field team deliver on production while maintaining a safety focus. They are always in communication with our field superintendent to coordinate work plans, weather planning, and site logistics.
Metropolitan’s safety culture is evident through tie-off compliance and making the right call when weather conditions are too extreme to put people at risk. Long before construction starts, our pre-planning with Ed Smith helps set us on a realistic path to manage client expectations.
Our past collaboration with Metropolitan makes me confident in their upcoming steel erection over the winter with us at the UIH Outpatient Surgery Center. I’m glad to have Tim and his team on my project.
Pepper Construction Company
Project Director Vice President
Walsh Construction has worked with Metropolitan Steel on some difficult projects. We have always found Metropolitan to come prepared with a well thought out plan, and the people that can execute that plan. We are looking forward to the next project we can complete together.
Walsh Construction
We cannot be more pleased to write a recommendation for Metropolitan Steel Inc., because of the excellent work their crews have performed for us. Since 2006, Metropolitan Steel has been one of F.H. Paschen’s key steel erection contractors on 46 projects, including some of our most high profile and complicated projects.
Their crews are skilled and professional, and their work is the highest quality – always completed with safety at the forefront.
Whether it is a complicated hoisting project or a complete 54 hour CTA shutdown or a small erection l project, the consistent quality of Metropolitan Steel’s workmanship is the reason that they have been one of F.H. Paschen’s most trusted and reliable subcontractors in the last 10 years.
F.H. Paschen
MSI delivers quality work and provides a professional service.
I want to thank you and your team for a job well done on the Dixie (Amazon) project. Metropolitan planned, managed the project well and worked with us through the challenges to make the project a success! Hopefully we get another big project in the Chicago area where we can team up again in the future.
Metropolitan has been an important member of our team on several jobs. Tim Caballero and his field team deliver on production while maintaining a safety focus. They are always in communication with our field superintendent to coordinate work plans, weather planning, and site logistics.
Metropolitan’s safety culture is evident through tie-off compliance and making the right call when weather conditions are too extreme to put people at risk. Long before construction starts, our pre-planning with Ed Smith helps set us on a realistic path to manage client expectations.
Our past collaboration with Metropolitan makes me confident in their upcoming steel erection over the winter with us at the UIH Outpatient Surgery Center. I’m glad to have Tim and his team on my project.
Pepper Construction Company
Project Director Vice President
Walsh Construction has worked with Metropolitan Steel on some difficult projects. We have always found Metropolitan to come prepared with a well thought out plan, and the people that can execute that plan. We are looking forward to the next project we can complete together.
Walsh Construction
We cannot be more pleased to write a recommendation for Metropolitan Steel Inc., because of the excellent work their crews have performed for us. Since 2006, Metropolitan Steel has been one of F.H. Paschen’s key steel erection contractors on 46 projects, including some of our most high profile and complicated projects.
Their crews are skilled and professional, and their work is the highest quality – always completed with safety at the forefront.
Whether it is a complicated hoisting project or a complete 54 hour CTA shutdown or a small erection l project, the consistent quality of Metropolitan Steel’s workmanship is the reason that they have been one of F.H. Paschen’s most trusted and reliable subcontractors in the last 10 years.
F.H. Paschen
MSI delivers quality work and provides a professional service.
Lorig Construction
METROPOLITAN STEEL'S ROOTS ARE IN STEEL ERECTION.
We are an industry leader in the erection of all types of structures: Power plants, hospitals, office buildings, warehouse and distribution facilities, shopping malls, bridges, misc. metals and precast installation.
We have the ability, experience, personnel and equipment to erect any project to the owner’s specifications. Furthermore, the project will be safely executed with the highest quality while being both economical and timely.
The success of Metropolitan Steel Inc. is a testament to our hard working team who operates at the highest standards.
