Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/946503
Preston Construction self-performs concrete and demolition. president and chief financial officer, a role she continues to this day. Richard also credits great mentors, including his father, who taught him business management, work ethic and integrity. By working as an ap- prentice under key employees early in his career, he learned carpentry, concrete, masonry and how to op- erate machinery. Another assist along the way: solid relationships with area archi- tectural firms, including Reedy and Sykes Architecture and Design, and Beeson, Lusk & Street. "They were huge in helping me get credibility because they believed in me," Rich- ard says. Unlike many contractors, the Great Recession was a time of growth for Preston Construction. The company successfully bid on a state maintenance and renovation contract, a job that put Richard in touch with multiple contacts who liked Preston crews' work. Diversification has been another key to the company's growth. Richard has expanded beyond the company's homebuilding and com- mercial building markets that were core during his father's tenure, and now the firm does a variety of jobs for East Tennessee State University, area school districts, industries and churches. Preston Construction won Centu- ryLink's Faith in the Future Award in November 2017. The award recog- nizes what a company does to keep faith in the future during hard eco- nomic times. Preston Construction was spotlighted for its willingness to serve the community, for motivating and inspiring others, and for being innovative and forward-thinking. Client appreciation Clients have noticed the company's emphasis on quality work. "We are always excited to know that Preston Construction will be our contractor because we know the completed project will be a quality project, com- pleted on time and on budget," says Robert Reedy with Reedy & Sykes. Reedy goes on to say: "When my wife and I added on to our home, we only considered using Preston Construction." Adds Pete Tackett with Antioch Baptist: "For 30 years, I have worked with growing churches and construction companies on proj- ects, big and small. Our work with Preston Construction was so posi- tive that it made all others pale in comparison." On August 31, the company marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration lunch attended by around 200 people, including past and present clients, subcontractors, architects, other affiliates, friends and family. They showcased the company's history with old tools and photographs throughout the years. "It was a humbling event to see how many came out and sup- ported the company," Richard says. Compact fleet Preston Construction uses primarily compact equipment, and the com- pany's fleet includes compact ex- cavators, skid steers, compact track loaders and a forklift. "We keep our equipment busy," Richard says. The company also uses short- term rentals, although Richard likes to put machines under a rental purchase option whenever it makes sense. "I hate to put money away on rent and not get anything back," he says. Although his father always had a backhoe on hand, Richard says he converted to compact excavators af- ter a confined-space job showcased that machine's maneuverability. Multi-talented crews But in the end, it comes down to his people. "Our guys are multi- talented," Richard says. "With our February 2018 | EquipmentWorld.com 52 contractor of the year finalist | continued Juston Nunnery, left, has been with Preston Construction since 2008 and now serves as the company's project manager and estimator.