David Farber is a project Superintendent and has worked with JR Merit for two years, primarily in the special projects division before moving to power generation for his current project. He started as a General Foreman then moved up to Superintendent. He is currently working on the Round Butte Hydroelectric Facility upgrade project, where he oversees the replacement of turbine shutoff valves that were installed when the facility was first built in 1964.

David spent the better part of the fall and winter of 2025 on site at Round Butte acting as the go-between for the customer, onsite teams, and JR Merit crews.

“I like that I am a part of that chain that helps everything work together,” David said. “I get to see how communication can be difficult in every aspect of the work, because we think we’re a lot better at communicating than we are.”

From scheduling to helping get the right people on site at the right time with the right orientation credentials, and expertise, David plays an integral role ensuring project sites run with minimal disruptions and positive client optics.

Construction has been David’s field of choice for most of his life. “Everything I’ve ever done since I was a teen relates back to construction,” David said. His first job as a landscaper at age 15 made him realize two things: he wanted to work with his hands, and he wanted to work with people. In high school, he was drawn to welding classes and investigated opportunities in the trades. After getting advice from folks in the union pipe trades, he signed up for a local apprenticeship program and started his career.

He started with JR Merit after completing his five-year pipe-fitting apprenticeship through Local 290, and gaining industry experience as a Journeyman, Foreman, and General Foreman with other local contractors. He became familiar with the company through project executive Brandon Smith. “I would not be here if it weren’t for Brandon,” David said. The two have known each other since grade school, went through the same apprenticeship program, and worked for the same contractor during that time. They stayed in touch over the years, and one day Brandon reached out with a job opportunity.

“He set me up with an interview, and that’s when I really knew something was different at JR Merit,” David said. “It felt like a very genuine conversation, and they created an all-around welcoming experience. It told me a lot about their culture…JR Merit gives us room to make mistakes; they just ask that we own and learn from them,” David said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to owning it. Each of us has a piece of company responsibility, and it’s led by example. I witness that accountability all the time through my bosses and peers, and it drives a culture where everyone steps up a little more.”

David finds deep satisfaction from being a part of the company’s growth, and specifically, the growth of individual team members. “Watching people grow and investing in our future is really what it comes down to,” David said.

“I’ve had individuals on projects who are pretty green and cautiously confident, and I have helped build those individuals into something that isn’t just beneficial to the team, but beneficial to themselves as individuals as well. I try to package my mistakes and lessons learned and pass them along to hopefully help other people from repeating them.”  

Looking ahead to his own growth and development, David isn’t looking to change much, but he’s committed to enjoying what he’s doing, whatever that may be. “My main goal is to enjoy my job as much as I do right now, no matter what direction the job takes me. I’ve got to be having fun and enjoying it.”

When he’s not pre planning and managing site logistics, David enjoys spending most of his time outdoors with his wife of 15 years, their three boys, who are all under the age of 10, and the two family dogs. No matter the season, the Farber’s find themselves outdoors, from alpine skiing and lake fishing to boating, camping, and mushroom hunting.

The family also puts a lot of time and energy into their backyard garden to grow seasonal vegetables and beautiful Dahlias. “I don’t know who likes it more,” David said. “The Dahlia hobby started with my wife, but I adopted it and have really enjoyed learning the ways you can produce different colors and the technical side of flower production. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

David, we are so grateful for the valuable leadership you provide for project success and your dedication to the growth and development of JR Merit teams. We are thrilled to have you as part of our JR Merit family and excited for what your future holds. We are also looking forward to what next season’s Dahila production brings.