Elvia Torres-Garcia
Sr. Human Resources Manager | Okland Construction
Elvia Torres-Garcia has been the cornerstone of Okland Construction’s people-first culture for 15 years, transforming traditional human resources practices into strategic differentiators that have positioned the company as an industry leader in employee engagement and retention. Her innovative approach to talent management has helped Okland earn consistent recognition as one of Utah Business’ Best Companies to Work For, creating a competitive advantage in the challenging construction labor market.
Elvia’s leadership philosophy centers on creating pathways for meaningful career development — a critical factor in an industry often plagued by high turnover and talent shortages. Working alongside company leadership, she has architected clear career progressions for all employees while developing transparent competency frameworks that empower both staff and supervisors to engage in productive professional development conversations. This systematic approach to growth has transformed casual career discussions into structured pathways for advancement.
Her commitment is validated by the company’s exceptional eNPS of 94, an industry-leading metric that reflects extraordinary workplace satisfaction and loyalty.
What distinguishes Elvia’s approach is her understanding that effective human resources leadership extends beyond office walls. She and her team regularly visit construction sites, engaging directly with craft teams to build authentic connections and gain unfiltered insights into frontline needs. These field visits ensure that human resources initiatives remain grounded in practical realities rather than theoretical concepts.
Elvia has also developed mentorship initiatives to promote a sustainable talent pipeline, ensuring Okland can develop future leaders from within. By embedding professional development into the company’s cultural DNA, she has positioned Okland to navigate workforce challenges while maintaining the high-performance standards that define its reputation.
Through her strategic vision and unwavering commitment to employee development, Elvia has recast Okland’s approach to human resources from a support function into a strategic driver of success.
