Behind the Hard Hat: Seyit A.
Quality Control Manager | Lifelong Builder | Turkish Tea Enthusiast
At Richard, lasting quality doesn't happen by accident. It happens because people like Seyit make it their mission. As a Quality Control Manager, he brings an abundance of construction experience, a sharp eye for detail, and the deep respect for the craft he learned from his father. Whether he's overseeing world-class cultural centers or training teams on cutting-edge inspection tools, Seyit brings integrity and precision to every project.
A Legacy of Building
Construction isn’t just Seyit’s career. It’s in his DNA. His father worked as a superintendent for more than 40 years, often across borders and cultures. Growing up, Seyit watched him approach each project with pride and patience, and those lessons stuck.
“I admired the pride my father took in building things that lasted,” Seyit says. “That inspired me to study civil engineering and pursue construction. Richard felt like the right place because it shares the values I was raised with: integrity, quality, and a commitment to doing things right.”
Quality Control Manager, Seyit A.
“I lead by example. I try to be present, engaged, and approachable. I hold myself to high standards, and I expect the same from my team.”
A Career-Defining Challenge
When asked about the most challenging project of his career, Seyit doesn’t hesitate: the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Complex.
“It’s an architectural masterpiece with almost no straight lines,” he recalls. “Every panel was unique. Even the smallest deviation could compromise the design.”
As Quality Control Lead, Seyit coordinated multinational subcontractor teams, created new inspection systems, and led training sessions to unify standards across cultures and languages. He even pioneered digital tracking methods to monitor fabrication and installation in real time.
“That project was more than a milestone for me,” he says. “It proved what is possible when innovation, teamwork, and attention to quality come together.”
Fireproofing Focus
One area where Seyit’s precision shows is in cementitious fireproofing inspections, a critical safeguard for steel structures. Cementitious fireproofing is a spray-applied material that delays heat transmission during a fire, helping steel maintain its strength and stability.
Regular inspections cover three key areas:
Adhesion and Cohesion: Verifying the material bonds tightly to steel and retains integrity under stress.
Thickness: Measuring the applied layer to confirm it meets the required fire-resistance rating, whether one, two, or three hours.
Density: Checking that the material matches specified values to ensure proper insulation and durability under fire conditions.
These inspections are essential for life safety, code compliance, long-term performance, and cost control. By identifying deficiencies early, Seyit helps prevent rework, reduce risk, and confirm that structures will perform as designed in real fire conditions.
Raising the Bar with Technology
Right now, Seyit is most excited about how digital tools are transforming quality control from a reactive process into a proactive, data-driven workflow.
“At Richard, we’re using platforms, such as Procore to streamline documentation and communication across many phases of the quality control process,” he says. “These systems help us track submittals, RFIs, and inspection reports in real time, which significantly improves coordination and traceability.”
He also designs custom inspection sheets for each task, ensuring consistency and transparency. With precision tools like humidity meters, inspection cameras, and digital angle finders, Seyit validates every step of the work with accuracy.
More Than Metrics
Beyond technical expertise, Seyit brings a steady leadership style built on trust, accountability, and continuous improvement.
“I lead by example. I try to be present, engaged, and approachable,” he says. “I hold myself to high standards, and I expect the same from my team. That’s why I keep learning. Right now, I’m studying to become an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Lead Auditor.”
Finding Fulfillment
For Seyit, the satisfaction of a project is not just in the ribbon-cutting moment.
“The real fulfillment comes from the journey,” he shares. “I enjoy leading alignment meetings, overcoming challenges, and seeing everyone move forward together. When a project reflects technical excellence and teamwork, it reinforces why I do what I do. It connects directly to Richard’s mission: to build with integrity, innovate with purpose, and deliver lasting value.”
Quick Hits with Seyit
Secret Weapon on the Jobsite: Humidity meters, laser meters, inspection cameras, and digital angle finders. “They are my daily partners in protecting quality.”
What’s in Your Lunchbox? Grilled chicken with rice and vegetables, plus fruit for quick fuel.
Fuel of Choice: Turkish tea in the morning, water throughout the day, and trail mix when energy dips.
Words to Work By: “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford
The Bottom Line
Seyit doesn’t just inspect projects. He elevates them. From fireproofing steel structures to managing multinational teams, he ensures Richard projects meet the highest standard: one rooted in integrity, precision, and pride. And yes, he’ll happily pour you a cup of Turkish tea while he’s at it.