CFCC Construction Management Leads to Careers at Monteith
When it comes to success in the construction industry, there’s no one-size-fits-all path. CFCC alumni Luke McKeithan and Alex Pano Martinez are proof of that. Both Cape Fear Community College Construction Management graduates took different routes after earning their associate degrees. Today, they’re both building their careers at Monteith Construction . As one of the region’s leading construction firms, both Luke and Alex are helping shape some of Wilmington’s most high-profile projects. Both credit CFCC for laying the groundwork.
Luke Used CFCC to Launch a Four-Year Degree and Career
Growing up in Wilmington, Luke always knew he wanted to work with his hands and not behind a desk.
“I took carpentry classes in high school and realized I loved working outside and being part of a team,” Luke shares.
After graduating from high school, Luke enrolled in CFCC’s Construction Management program and was already planning ahead.
“I looked at ECU’s construction management program and saw CFCC had a 2+2 partnership. I decided to save money, live at home, get experience locally, and still earn a four-year degree.”
He did just that. Luke earned his associate degree from CFCC, transferred to ECU, and graduated at the top of his class. While still at CFCC, Luke connected with Monteith Construction.
“When I was at Cape Fear, Monteith was building a facility on North Campus. I recognized the name, reached out, and landed an internship with them while still in school,” Luke says. ” Even when I went to ECU, I worked for them over Christmas and summer break.”
“Monteith offered me a full-time job before I even graduated.”
Luke says the capstone project was one of the most valuable parts of his CFCC experience.
“We were given a raw piece of property and had to manage everything from permits, budgets, scheduling, and bid modeling,” Luke explains. “Funny enough, I had to do almost the same project when I got to ECU. It was tough, but I was ahead of the game because I had already done something so similar at CFCC.”
Now, as a superintendent with Monteith, Luke is helping lead the redevelopment of Project Grace, a large downtown Wilmington revitalization effort.
“My job changes daily, but the core is scheduling, budgeting, safety, and ensuring everyone’s on the same page,” he says. “It’s a lot of coordination, but it’s exactly what I love doing.”
Alex Went Right from CFCC to the Jobsite
Alex Pano Martinez, originally from Fayetteville, took a different route.
“I didn’t want to go the university route,” Alex admits. “I searched for the top two-year construction management programs, and Cape Fear kept showing up. That’s why I moved to Wilmington.”
With a father in the construction industry, Alex had been around job sites his whole life.
“I always loved helping my dad, but didn’t want to do just one trade forever. I wanted to manage projects and understand the big picture.”
At CFCC, Alex found the hands-on training he was looking for. Thanks to one of CFCC’s construction career fairs, he connected with Monteith Construction and landed an internship shortly after.
What started as a summer internship turned into a long-term opportunity. Alex took initiative, showed up early, stayed late, and stayed curious.
“I wanted them to see I was serious,” he shares.
Now, just a year from earning his degree, Alex is working full-time as an assistant superintendent overseeing structural repairs at New Hanover High School.
“I’m learning something new every single day,” Alex says. “And being bilingual helps me a lot on-site. I can talk directly with many subcontractors and keep things running smoothly.”
A Solid Foundation at CFCC
Luke and Alex may have chosen different next steps, with Luke transferring to earn a four-year degree and Alex going straight into the workforce, but both credit CFCC as their launching pad.
“CFCC gave me the building blocks, the vocabulary, and different management tools to do my job as a superintendent. I have no regrets,” Luke says. “Cape Fear gave me a head start.”
“The whole two-year program was maybe $2,000 per year,” Alex adds. “And now I’m working full-time, doing what I love, and already growing. I’m exactly where I wanted to be.”
