“You get up early. You’re on time. Whatever has to be done, you figure out how to get through it.”
Project Manager Dale Bettencourt grew up determined and ready serve in the military someday. His
grandfather had served in the World War II era. His dad had been drafted to serve in Vietnam. Multiple
other family members had served as well.
His turn to participate in the family history finally came in 1999, when he was 24 years old. He had been
working at the lumber mill in Philomath and had started a family. But he still wanted to serve and was
interested in earning money for college. He decided it was time to join the Air Force.
Bettencourt served a total of four years as a metals tech, working in machining and welding at Joint Base
Lewis-McChord. Planes were flown to the base and his unit was responsible for repairs. They also
worked on support equipment, semi-trailers, parts and pieces – anything that required welding and
metal work.
After four years in the Air Force, Bettencourt decided he wanted to finish his education and came back to
Corvallis and OSU. His original intent was rejoin the Air Force after graduation, but he ended up getting a
job with Granite Construction and eventually found his way back to OSU as a project manager with
Capital Planning and Delivery. Today, he oversees planning and construction activities for large-scale
projects on campus. One notable example is the recently completed west wing of Reser Stadium.
Bettencourt said that what he gained from his years in the Air Force continues to shape how he
approaches his job today. And some of the leadership skills he gained were purely the result of being the
tallest person in the room. Because he was so much taller than everyone else, he was placed at the front
of the line in formations and charged with keeping his line on point.
“You’re in charge of everybody that’s in line behind you, for reporting on what they’re doing and making
sure that everybody’s where they’re supposed to be,” he explained.
Bettencourt found that certain ceremonial duties were impossible for him, because no one could match
his height for things like flag fold formations or 21-gun salutes. So when he served in the honor guard at
military funerals, parades and ceremonies, he got tasked with giving speeches. The problem? Public
speaking had been a fear of his since childhood.
“I ended up doing all of the speeches, like at the funerals and different types of things,” he said. “There
were anywhere from two people to 2000 people at these services.” Bettencourt said he is still not a fan
of public speaking, but being pushed out of his comfort zone gave him the ability to grow and overcome
his fear.
Bettencourt’s military service instilled a strong sense of responsibility, accountability and work ethic that
continues to influence the high expectations he sets for himself. He notices these same characteristics in
the other veterans he works with as well.
"You get up early, you're on time - whatever has to be done, you figure out how to get through it,” he
said. “Most of the military guys that I've worked with in the past, it’s just been a treat. Work starts at
7:00 and they're there at 6:30 – 6:45. What's the saying? ‘If you're if you're not 15 minutes early, you're
already late.’”
