Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/92263
contractor of the year finalist | by Amy Materson Stief Counts Chattanooga, TN The Counts Company Year started: 1991 Number of employees: 4 Annual volume: $3 to $5 million Markets served: Renovations, new builds, metal buildings S tief Counts knows the value of quality work. The son of a master cabinet maker, Counts grew up in his father's workshop in Winchester, Tennes- see. There, his father planted the seeds of a work ethic that ensures Counts always provides a job well done. After working his way through school studying industrial technology at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Counts accepted a position as a teacher at a local high school, where he taught furniture and cabi- net making for four years. After a six-year stint with EMJ Construction, a general contrac- tor in Chattanooga, he decided to go out on his own, forming The Counts Company in 1991. He credits EMJ's people, particularly owner Edgar M. Jolley and Senior Vice President Phil Green for giving him not only his start in the indus- try, but also the confi dence to start his own business. "Ed was a great guy from Winchester who gave me a break," Counts says. "And Phil taught me how to make a living." Big things, small packages One of the crucial lessons Counts took away from EMJ was the im- portance of managing this company with a common sense approach. "I was really careful not to get too big too quick," Counts says. "I focused on healthy, solid growth." As a result, The Counts Company has a small but skilled group of workers – along with a few trusted freelance carpenters – who are not only able to execute Counts' often time-con- suming projects, but are happy and motivated to do so. The outcome leaves clients more than satisfi ed, and leads to a great deal of repeat business for the company. "I would give them an A-plus rating," says John Waller with real estate investment trust CBL Associ- ates, who uses Counts for tenant EquipmentWorld.com | November 2012 45