We are excited to introduce our four summer interns of 2026: Daniel Stepien, Sam McKnatt, Alex Samady, and Cristian Suarez. Throughout the summer, these students will gain hands-on experience across a variety of areas within our business while learning more about the construction industry and the career opportunities it offers. We’re excited to support their growth, help them develop new skills, and give them a firsthand look at how our teams work together to build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps our communities moving.
Daniel Stepien, Finance Intern
Daniel is a Finance student at Florida State University, originally from Nevada. This summer, he’ll be working alongside our finance team to gain real-world experience and deepen his understanding of the financial side of the construction industry.
What drew you to this internship?
“I was really drawn to Granite’s company culture and the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment. I’ve always been interested in corporate finance, and construction has fascinated me for a while. This internship felt like the perfect chance to combine those interests and learn how finance supports the construction industry.”
What sparked your interest in the finance field?
“I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers, and math and statistics have come naturally to me. As I learned more about finance, I became interested in how money is managed and how financial decisions impact a company’s success. That’s what led me to pursue finance as a career path.”
What are you most excited to learn this summer?
“I’m excited to learn how financial information is used to make business decisions. I want to better understand how financial processes help guide a company and support its long-term goals.”
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
“I’ve been playing guitar for about seven years, and I’ve been training in MMA for the last five years.”
Cristian Suarez, Quality Control Intern
Cristian Suarez is a Civil Engineering student at the University of Memphis. This summer, he will work alongside our Quality Control team to gain a better understanding of how our materials are tested, how quality standards are maintained, and how these processes impact every aspect of our operations.
What drew you to this internship?
“I met one of Lehman-Roberts’ employees and had the opportunity to talk with him about the company and what he does. After our conversation, he gave me his business card and suggested I look into an internship. The more I learned about the company and the work being done here, the more interested I became, so I decided to reach out and pursue the opportunity.”
What sparked your interest in Civil Engineering?
“My uncle once told me, ‘It’s better to use your head than your hands,’ and that’s something that has stayed with me throughout my life. When it came time to choose a career path, I wanted to embrace that. Civil Engineering felt like the right fit.”
What are you most excited to learn this summer?
“One thing I’m really looking forward to is improving my professional communication skills. Learning how to interact with people in a professional setting is something you can only develop through real-world experience.”
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
“I spend a lot of time focusing on fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. I regularly lift weights, enjoy running and exercising, and try to make healthy choices every day.”
Sam McKnatt, Project Management Intern
Sam McKnatt is a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Mississippi. This summer, he will be working alongside our Project Engineering team to gain firsthand experience in planning, bidding, coordinating, and executing paving projects. Through site visits and hands-on learning opportunities, Sam will get an inside look at the work that goes into bringing a project from concept to completion.
What sparked your interest in Project Engineering?
“I’ve always enjoyed math and science and have done well in those subjects throughout school. At the same time, I’ve always liked working with my hands and seeing how things are built. Engineering combines both of those things.”
Why did you choose to intern with our company?
“I chose to intern with Granite because it offers the opportunity to gain real-world experience and learn directly from professionals in the industry. I thought it was a great chance to get hands-on experience that will help me in my future career.”
What are you most excited to learn this summer?
“I’m excited to get out and visit the plants and job sites to see how everything operates firsthand. It will be really interesting to learn how projects are planned and managed, and then actually watch those plans come to life in the field. I’m looking forward to seeing all the moving parts that go into a project and learning how everything works together.”
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
“I really enjoy playing soccer and have been a fan of the sport for a long time.”
Alex Samady, Project Management Intern
Alex Samady is a Mechanical Engineering student at the Colorado School of Mines. This summer, he will be working alongside our Project Engineering team, gaining exposure to the planning, coordination, and execution of paving projects while learning how different departments work together to keep operations running smoothly.
What drew you to this internship?
“I was interested in the opportunity to learn about a different industry while also finding new ways to apply the skills I’ve developed through engineering. What stood out to me was the chance to gain hands-on experience and contribute in a meaningful way while learning from professionals in the field.”
What sparked your interest in Mechanical Engineering?
“My interest in engineering started with my grandparents, who both worked in the field. Growing up, I heard about their experiences and became interested in how engineering is used. Since I also enjoyed math and science in school, Mechanical Engineering felt like a natural fit for me.”
What are you most excited to learn this summer?
“I’m excited to learn the ins and outs of how the company operates and how all the different parts of the business work together. I’m especially looking forward to visiting the plants, seeing the systems in action, and gaining a better understanding of how everything functions from start to finish.”
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
“I’m a big animal lover. I have a Labradoodle and a Cockapoo, and I enjoy spending time with them whenever I can.”
Lehman-Roberts is a wholly owned subsidiary of Granite Construction. Learn more at https://www.graniteconstruction.com/company/our-brands.