Chad Garner works in project management in the FOCUS Land Planning department. Growing up in South Jordan, Utah, Chad watched his community grow and evolve, becoming fascinated with how land could be shaped. He continued to develop a strong interest in the land planning process.

One of Chad’s most memorable early experiences occurred during his first year at FOCUS, when he helped plan a single-family and townhome development in his hometown. After the project was approved and built, his mother later drove past the site. When she recognized it, she excitedly sent him photos. For Chad, that moment reinforced his passion for the industry and his pride in helping shape the future of his own community.

Leadership Experiences

Outside of FOCUS, Chad is the youngest of five brothers and enjoys spending time with his family and friends. His hobbies include traveling and weightlifting. At FOCUS, Chad emphasizes leadership and growth. He credits those he has worked with, explaining, “The mentors at FOCUS have helped me not just become a better planner, but also a better team leader, better people manager, and better customer service provider. I am continually learning new things all the time.”

Chad reflects on his journey and the challenges of stepping into management. “After an abrupt assignment to manage a team of interns, I learned to take things one day at a time,” he said. “This taught me how to dedicate time to building up my team instead of focusing only on my own projects.” Over time, he says he has grown into the role, adding, “I’ve gotten much better at being an effective team leader, and I really enjoy the people I have on my team.”

Building Teams and Better Places

The most rewarding moments for Chad come from client feedback and project success. “Hearing that a project is approved or having clients let you know how much they liked your work—those moments are some of my favorites,” he says.
Down the road, Chad hopes to grow into a director of planning role, where he can be a key decision-maker in the planning process. He also aims to expand his knowledge in areas like landscape design and civil engineering.

As the industry evolves, he sees technology playing a larger role and is interested in adapting alongside it. “Knowledge will come over time, just focus on helping clients and teammates to the best of your ability,” he says. Chad values both the learning opportunities and the relationships he has built. He appreciates being part of a team that works together to deliver successful projects and strong client service.

One of the most important lessons he has learned is the importance of accountability and teamwork in delivering quality results, stating, “Through building up each other and our teams, we can ensure we’re providing the best customer satisfaction.” FOCUS is fortunate to have Chad among the land planners who are shaping Utah and Idaho into better places.