Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/692436
Challenges build character A major challenge early on in Gorick's career, however, gave him an opportunity to test his resource- fulness and ability to turn a potential bad situation into a win. An environmental legal battle over a construction debris landfill the company owned represented a major crossroads for Gorick. But the company persevered and used its experience to cap and close the site. "This was the most difficult busi- ness situation that I had to endure, and it happened to coincide with my mother's passing," he says. "We conquered this huge obstacle, this environmental lawsuit that could have put us out of business. I remember a family friend, who is a federal judge, telling me at the time that this environmental lawsuit would be the hardest thing I would ever have to face in business. I also remember telling him that I would have preferred to face that challenge down the road, not at 26 years old." "Looking back I have to say that experience taught me to never quit, as even the toughest obstacles can be overcome by persistence and de- termination and a positive attitude." Fast-forward to present day and Gorick Construction has completed many high-precision projects, includ- ing demolition work at a facility where precise scientific research work was ongoing. Lend Lease Con- struction called in Gorick Construc- tion because of their ability to work in close proximity and not disturb structures nearby. "We had a large project at Bris- tol Meyers Squib where we had to take a four-story building down that was attached to a building where there were scientists working, and we did that without any interrup- tions or issues for the client," says Jim Mulherin, project executive at Lend Lease. "Al's team had a lot to do with that. They are like surgeons with demolition. I would recommend them to anyone who had a demolition job that required expertise on the equipment, quality and safety." Diversification aids growth Gorick is extraordinarily practical and looks at ways of reusing materials, inspired the company's ability to turn lemons into lemonade by converting the troubled landfill into an execu- tive-level golf course. River Run II Golf Links hosts many youth tournaments and corporate events, and is unique in that Gorick makes use of natural and recycled materials, such as trees and rocks, salvaged from other demo sites. The tee-box markers are boulders hauled in by his crew from a company grav- el pit, trees are replanted to enhance landscaping and recycled granite is used for tee blocks. Sports in general are top of mind for Gorick. He is a long-time youth hock- ey coach and his company has also expanded into sports facility work. "I believe we are one of the most diverse companies around because of the wide diversity of work we tackle," he says. "But our bread and butter has always been mass excavation and demolition." Demolition is such a cornerstone that Gorick served as a member of the board of directors of the National Demolition Association for six years. He feels his company is different from some national firms because they don't travel all over the country for demolition work. This, he believes, helps his crews to strike a healthy work/life balance. "In the past three to four years we've travelled up to 2 1/2 hours away," he explains. "That's far enough, but we could go farther. Most of my guys have family like myself and appreciate being home. I'm a believer that if your guys are happy and get to go home, you'll get more out of them." EquipmentWorld.com | June 2016 85 Gorick's executive-level golf course River Run II was built on a capped landfill owned by the company. Many of the course markers were made from materials, such as boulders, removed from demolition sites.