By Shamona McClary

Kannapolis Citizen

When Tom Sanctis turned 50, he didn't have a mid-life crisis. It was more like the right time to re-evaluate his life.

"I turned 50 last year, and ... I don't know, but there's something about 50 that makes you analyze your life," he said. "I had a good job, but it was stale. And the Lord only blesses you with so many good years."

He asked himself one question — "What have you done or participated in that future generations would admire?"

Sanctis, originally from Pittsburgh, Penn., had a bachelor's degree in business operations from the University of Colorado and a minor in architectural engineering.

He rattled off about every building he has had a part of constructing — "Southland Life Building in Dallas, United Bank in Phoenix, Anaconda Tower in Denver, Fairmont Hotel in Denver, Great West Life Tower in Denver,Dominion Plaza in Denver, Sherman Street Plaza in Denver, Florida National Bank in Jacksonville, Omni Hotel in Jacksonville ..." The list went on.

But even with those structures under his belt, he still needed more out of life. He found meaning in an area newspaper last September.

Sanctis read about Dole Food Owner David Murdock's announcement of the N.C. Research Campus.

The campus is a collaboration between Murdock, universities and scientists to create healthy lifestyles and possibly cure diseases that affect many people everyday.

"I thought it would be a great project to be involved with," he said. "With my background, it seemed like a perfect fit."

Sanctis, now 51, is the vice president for commercial construction with Castle & Cooke and plays an important role in constructing buildings for the campus.

Before taking the job in Kannapolis in January, Sanctis worked for 14 years in construction operations for Kewaunee Scientific Corp. in Statesville.

When he heard about the job here, he didn't know Lynne Scott Safrit, Murdock's right-hand woman on the campus. But he made sure he introduced himself. Sanctis had heard Safrit received hundreds of resumes for the job.

"But I was the only one she really talked to," he said.

Sanctis said he is very fortunate he was hired because this is sort of like a once-in-a-lifetime deal.

"Where else is this happening in the world?," he asked. Sanctis describes his job as carrying out Murdock's vision.

"It's really developing and managing budgets, managing design and making sure Murdock's receiving the best value for his investments," he explained. In doing that, Sanctis' daily routine consists of several meetings with consulting engineers, architects, construction executives or staff and conducting informative presentations on the campus. He also tries to visit the work site at least twice a week.

On top of that schedule, Sanctis said he gets about 80 to 100 e-mails and 20 plus phone calls a day.

"It's challenging," he said.

Another part of making Murdock's vision come to fruition, Sanctis tries to employ local companies or independent contractors to help Turner Construction Co. with the Core Laboratory.

"That's an important part of what we want this to be," he said. As of last month,10 companies had been hired from Cabarrus County. Another 13 jobs were spread out in the region.

When it's all said and done, Sanctis said the campus will be more than research and education.

With walking paths, a hotel, restaurants, performing arts, etc., he said it will draw people to it and become the "living room of Kannapolis."

"We want this to be a great experience," Sanctis said. Aside from knowing that he contributed to the creation of something that will be well desired for years to come, Sanctis said he wants to take something else from his job.

"I would like for those that I have interacted with to be able to say I was able to give them motivation and direction, and I treated them in a respectful and dignified way. And that they enjoyed the experience," he said.

Besides a businessman, Sanctis is also family-oriented. He and his wife of 26 years lives in Charlotte, but are now looking for a house in Kannapolis. They have four children together, he said.

"Having built all of those buildings pales in comparison to being the father and husband I desire to be," Sanctis said.

Sanctis also dedicates his time to charitable organizations and his church in Charlotte.

Shamona McClary at 704-933-3450 or smcclary@salisburypost.com.