Advance Construction

Michael Ghanivand: From Medicine to Construction

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

OAKLAND — A native of Iran, Michael Ghanivand originally intended to become a medical professional, but when things didn’t go as planned, he ended up building an entirely different career. “I actually have a medical background—I went to medical school at the University of Szeged in Hungary,” he explains. “The Iranian economy wasn’t doing great at the time, so my parents couldn’t send me enough money to continue my education. I came to the United States to get a job, with the intention to save up some money and return to medical school. However, after getting into construction work, I grew to love it and decided to stick with it.”

Today, as owner of Advance Construction, Michael says his favorite part of his job is the simple satisfaction of doing good work. “I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and having something to show for it at the end. These days, while I no longer participate in the hands-on work, I continue to derive satisfaction from seeing what my team and I are able to accomplish for our clients.”

A resident of Walnut Creek, Michael devotes the bulk of his time outside of work to his family. “My wife, Ahdieh, and I have two daughters: a 27-year-old and a 10-year-old,” he says. “The reason for the gap is that after I came to the U.S., I wanted to get my business well-established before having another child. Now, we have one daughter in college and one in elementary school, which is pretty unusual.”

When asked what he would do if he were to retire tomorrow, Michael says he’d devote himself to consumer education. “I’d like to get involved in some sort of program that teaches homeowners to be wiser consumers. During my 30 years in construction, I’ve heard from countless people who’ve been taken advantage of by unscrupulous contractors because they didn’t know what to look for or what to ask. I think it would be very rewarding to help homeowners become more aware and make better decisions when it comes to their construction projects.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Tea.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
A: Tomatina in Walnut Creek.

Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: Christmas, because I get to be at home with my family.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: An early bird. I need to be up and make sure everything’s ready for the day.

Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: Any kind of fruit.