Nathan Woodworth – Hunter Contracting

Since 1947, Hunter Contracting Co. has built much more than bridges, roads, and water systems. Founded by William R. Hunter and now led by third-generation family members Max Taddei and Amy Ostwinkle, the company has grown from a ditch-lining operation into one of Arizona’s premier heavy civil contractors. Rooted in family values and technical excellence, Hunter has become synonymous with integrity, reliability, and partnership—a legacy that professionals like Nathan Woodworth continue to advance daily.

As business development manager, Woodworth represents the company’s commitment to aligning technical mastery with strategic relationships. With over a decade of experience in the heavy civil construction sector, he combines a mechanical engineer’s precision with a people-first mindset, ensuring every project meets expectations and strengthens the client’s trust.

“At Hunter, we believe that success comes from a balance of technical competence, strategic vision, and genuine connection,” he says, a philosophy guiding his transition from project management to business development.

Hunter’s reputation is built on decades of proven expertise across Arizona’s most critical infrastructure sectors—bridges, transportation corridors, water and wastewater systems, irrigation networks, parks and recreation facilities, and underground utilities. Using delivery models such as CMAR, design-build, and design–bid–build, the company’s portfolio includes award-winning projects like the Frontier Family Park in Queen Creek and the Goodyear Recreation Campus, both recognized for their community impact and construction excellence. Each project reinforces Hunter’s identity as a trusted partner capable of solving complex challenges with integrity and foresight.

From the field to the front line

Woodworth’s path to Hunter Contracting began far from the boardroom. After high school, he worked in custom furniture installation—an early lesson in craftsmanship and client interaction that shaped his collaborative style. Seeking greater challenge and long-term growth, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University and entered the heavy civil construction industry at 27. His first major role as a project engineer on natural gas pipelines offered exactly what he had been searching for: complexity, impact, and connection.

That position took him from Arizona to Guam and back, with most of his time spent in the field rather than behind a desk.

“I realized I loved construction because it combined hands-on problem-solving with relationships,” he recalls. “It wasn’t just about the technical drawings—it was about working with people, learning from them, and seeing tangible results.”

Over six years, he developed expertise in natural gas infrastructure, coordination, and project leadership, building the foundation for his current work at Hunter.

Joining the company in 2024, Woodworth quickly became a cornerstone of Hunter’s growing utility infrastructure group. His technical background and approachable communication style helped the team navigate highly specialized projects that support the East Valley’s rapid industrial expansion. Whether managing stakeholders on the Sherwood Gate Station project or coordinating design elements for the LG Meter Set, his approach is consistent: ask the right questions, build consensus, and ensure the outcome aligns perfectly with the client’s vision.

Executing vision through accountability

Hunter Contracting has long understood that infrastructure is as much about people as it is about construction. The company’s mission—to build trust and technical confidence through exceptional performance—depends on project leaders who embody those values in the field. As project manager, Woodworth exemplified this ethos, ensuring that projects moved forward through transparency, clarity, and collaboration. Now, as business development manager, he applies the same mindset to strengthening partnerships and identifying new opportunities that align with Hunter’s vision.

One of those vision-driven efforts is the Sherwood Gate Station in Queen Creek, Arizona. This technically intricate project connects to Kinder Morgan’s natural gas line to provide energy for the City of Mesa. Named in honor of former city gas engineer Scott Sherwood, the project supports a new wave of economic development in the East Valley by supplying critical energy to industrial customers, including a major global manufacturer. Beyond its technical sophistication, the project demonstrates Hunter’s ability to manage complex public-private relationships. As a bridge between city stakeholders and private entities, Woodworth’s leadership helps streamline communication and resolve challenges before they become obstacles. The result is not only a successful construction project but also lasting goodwill between Hunter, the city, and the community.

The LG Meter Set Project offers another example of Hunter’s impact and adaptability. As part of a battery manufacturing facility’s energy infrastructure, the metering system is crucial for operational success. Hunter’s role extended beyond installation—it involved detailed coordination between the client, utilities, and municipal agencies to ensure regulatory compliance and seamless execution.

“We’re not just building a system,” Woodworth notes. “We’re helping build the foundation for long-term growth in the region.”

By aligning construction solutions with client needs, Hunter demonstrates how strategic thinking and accountability can transform even the most technical challenges into opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

This combination of strategic insight and practical execution reflects Hunter’s long-standing reputation for delivering essential civil infrastructure across Arizona. The company’s work continues to support sustainable community growth through roadway improvements, water and wastewater systems, parks and recreation facilities, and utility infrastructure. As Arizona’s communities evolve, Hunter remains focused on building projects that provide long-term value, strengthen local partnerships, and support the region’s economic vitality.

Leadership built on communication and curiosity

Woodworth’s leadership philosophy centers on communication—an art he learned early and continues to refine. Whether interacting with a city engineer, a field crew member, or a private developer, he approaches every conversation with curiosity and respect.

“You can talk to anyone—from the mayor to the security guard—and find common ground,” he says. “That’s how trust is built.” His ability to communicate complex technical ideas in accessible terms allows stakeholders to feel engaged and confident in every project phase.

He describes his management style as teaching-minded: helping others ask questions, understand challenges, and make informed decisions. That approach, he believes, “disarms” uncertainty and invites collaboration. It’s a leadership style that extends beyond project execution to mentoring others within the company. He notes that one of his direct reports grew significantly more confident after he encouraged her to recognize and trust her technical competence.

“Leadership isn’t about stepping in front,” he explains. “It’s about backing people up and helping them see where they can lead.”

This people-first approach also defines how Woodworth navigates challenges. When faced with obstacles, he asks questions, does research, and checks in with every stakeholder to ensure that the team has all the necessary context. This habit of inquiry—understanding not just what happened but why—has earned him a reputation for thoroughness and empathy. It also informs his transition into business development, a role that requires balancing technical insight with relationship strategy.

That transition is both exciting and introspective for Woodworth. Moving from structured project timelines to a more open-ended focus on growth has prompted him to develop new ways of defining success.

“It’s a different kind of challenge,” he admits. “In project management, you have a budget, a schedule, and a deliverable. In business development, success means building relationships that may take years to mature fully.”

He has created his own metrics—tracking connections, identifying gaps in municipal engagement, and developing strategies to strengthen Hunter’s presence across Arizona’s markets. The data may live in a spreadsheet, but the real value lies in the trust behind each name.

A legacy of integrity and innovation

Looking ahead, Woodworth sees 2026 as a milestone year. It marks the 65th anniversary of Hunter’s incorporation—a celebration of the company’s enduring legacy and forward-looking vision. With more than 500 employees and a resume spanning hundreds of miles of roadways, parks, and water systems, Hunter continues to expand its influence while staying true to the principles that shaped it: vision, accountability, and community.

For Woodworth, those values define his next professional step. He aims to deepen Hunter’s partnerships across Arizona’s public and private sectors, ensuring the company remains a leader in civil infrastructure while expanding into new markets.

“Having the confidence to turn away the wrong project is as important as winning the right one,” he says. “That’s how you maintain integrity and long-term relationships.”

As Hunter Contracting continues to evolve, leaders like Woodworth will ensure that the company’s next chapter remains grounded in the same ideals sustained for decades: expertise that inspires confidence, strategy that delivers results, and relationships that build stronger communities—one project at a time.