Interview

Chris Tighe’s path to becoming a multimillion-dollar construction CEO is far from ordinary. A former police officer and retired Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, Chris led teams in high-pressure environments around the world, from Afghanistan’s forward operating bases to Chinese naval diplomacy missions. One unexpected assignment to build an operations center in a war zone, despite having no formal construction background, sparked what would eventually become Elevation Construction, now one of Houston’s fastest-growing renovation firms.

Today, Chris leads with precision and a systems-first mindset. He has shown that leadership skills are more important than knowing how to swing a hammer. Through Elevation Construction and his platform, The Caffeinated Contractor, Chris is helping a new generation of builders scale smarter, communicate more effectively, and regain control of their businesses.

Q: You’ve got a pretty unconventional path to where you are today: 23 years in the military, 10 years as a police officer, and now running a multi-million-dollar construction company. How did that journey shape you as an entrepreneur?

It shaped everything. The military gave me structure, discipline, and the ability to lead under pressure. Law enforcement sharpened my attention to detail and reinforced the importance of clear documentation and communication. Both careers placed me in high-stakes environments where mistakes simply weren’t an option.

When I started Elevation Construction, I didn’t come from a traditional trades background. I didn’t know how to swing a hammer, but I did know how to lead people and build systems. Those skills allowed me to scale quickly and efficiently. Today, those same principles continue to drive my company and the work I do through The Caffeinated Contractor.

Q: You spent years as a Chinese linguist in the Navy and even translated for Chinese naval visits. What did that experience teach you about communication and problem-solving skills you now use in business?

Learning Chinese was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and it taught me that communication is everything. In the Navy, I often had to bridge cultural and language gaps in high-pressure situations. That ability to listen, adapt, and simplify complex ideas translates directly into business today. Whether I’m managing a remote team in Mexico, coordinating subcontractors, or working with clients, clarity matters. Miscommunication costs time and money, and my background drilled into me that you can’t afford to lose either.

“I didn’t know how to swing a hammer, but I did know how to lead people and build systems.”

Q: Most people don’t know this, but your first real exposure to construction was in Afghanistan. Can you share that story and how it influenced the way you run Elevation Construction today?

That deployment changed my life. I volunteered to go to Afghanistan in 2009, and when I arrived, they handed me a set of plans and said, “Welcome to Afghanistan! Here’s a dirt field. Build an operations center.” I had zero construction experience, but I didn’t have any options. I had to figure it out, hire Afghan subcontractors, coordinate supplies, and create something people’s lives depended on.

It pushed me to develop problem-solving skills, manage logistics, and communicate clearly with multiple parties in different languages. The lessons I learned in planning ahead, anticipating problems, and documenting everything became the foundation of Elevation Construction. Today, we carry that same mindset into every project by prioritizing clear communication and reliable systems.

Q: Elevation Construction has grown significantly in just a few years. What was your initial vision, and how has it evolved?

When I started Elevation, the vision was simple: to provide a reliable remodeling service in Houston. But as we grew, I recognized a growing need for commercial buildouts. Our mission is to deliver projects on time, on budget, and without surprise change orders. That level of consistency comes from the systems we’ve built and those systems are exactly what I teach other contractors through The Caffeinated Contractor. They’re connected because Elevation is the real-world proof that these strategies work.

Q: Your leadership philosophy seems to focus on delegation and empowering others. Was that hard for you to embrace at first? What changed?

It was tough. Like most entrepreneurs, I believed no one could do it as well as I could, and that mindset kept me trapped in the day-to-day. The turning point came when I built my remote team in Mexico. Once I saw they could handle scheduling, estimates, and client communication better than I could, I realized that empowering others isn’t just good leadership—it’s the key to growth. Now, I teach contractors the same thing: if everything depends on you, you don’t own a business; you own a job.

Q: You’re passionate about building systems and leveraging remote teams. Why do you believe this is the future for contractors?

Labor costs are rising, and good talent can be hard to find locally. The administrative side of construction, including scheduling, proposals, and invoicing, doesn’t need to be handled on-site. Why pay $60K a year for a role you can outsource to a skilled remote team member for about two-thirds of the cost? My back-office team in Mexico manages most of Elevation’s operations, and it has given me the freedom to focus on growth. This is not just the future. It is already happening, and contractors who adopt this approach will scale faster and with less stress.

Q: What’s the big-picture mission behind Elevation Construction and The Caffeinated Contractor? Are they connected?

They’re absolutely connected. Elevation Construction is my proof of concept. It’s where I apply the principles I share with others. The Caffeinated Contractor exists to help others do the same by building systems, using technology and remote teams, and creating a business that doesn’t own them. My goal is to help contractors move out of chaos, build real structure, and gain the freedom to either scale or simply enjoy life again.

Q: Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in the next 3 to 5 years?

Elevation will be the go-to contractor for commercial buildouts and residential remodels in Texas. At the same time, The Caffeinated Contractor will grow into a leading resource for contractors nationwide through the podcast, online training, and live events. My vision is simple: teach thousands of contractors how to scale without burnout and help them reclaim their time. I want to be the guy they point to and say, “He’s been where I am, and he showed me the way forward.”