What inspired you to enter the construction industry?
I grew up in a family that owned a small construction company, so I began working there at an early age—starting as a laborer, then moving on to equipment operator, and eventually foreman. Construction has always been a part of me. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work on so many exciting projects and with great teams, which always keeps things interesting.
Where do you see your business headed in the next few years?
Baker is expanding into the Jacksonville market as part of our planned growth strategy. While we have completed several projects in Northern Florida in the past, our focus now is on establishing a long-term presence in the region and within the community. With the continued growth in the Jacksonville market, we believe Baker can be a key partner, building on our 57 years of developing strong partnerships across the United States.
What does success look like to you?
For us, success can be summed up in our company’s vision statement: “To be a great place to work and a great company to work with.” We are extremely proud of the work we deliver, and at every level of the company, we encourage our co-workers to commit to improving the communities where they live and work—both on and off the job. We continually strive to make each project a testament to our reputation as the go-to concrete partner for future projects.
What value has ABC First Coast brought to your business?
Baker is a member of several ABC Chapters across the U.S., and we greatly value the opportunity to connect with other industry professionals and be part of the local ABC community. ABC First Coast has been instrumental in helping us network and build relationships with key partners in the First Coast area as we work to further establish ourselves in the market.
What convinced you to join?
Our experience as members of other ABC Chapters has shown the Baker team the value and benefits of local membership. When we made the strategic decision to open an office in Northern Florida, we knew we wanted to focus on becoming part of the First Coast community. We strongly believe that joining ABC First Coast has helped us begin that process and strengthen our connection to the local market.
What advice would you give to a company considering joining ABC First Coast?
ABC First Coast’s team is fantastic! For companies considering membership, I highly recommend reaching out to Karin and Cassie about attending a lunch meeting, networking event, or committee meeting to see firsthand what ABC is doing. These events highlight the expansive reach of ABC First Coast and the many opportunities membership can provide. They’re also a great way to meet fellow members and begin building a trusted network of industry peers. For Baker, attending these events has been especially valuable as we’ve recently opened our Northern Florida office.
How has your network grown through ABC events or programs?
Attending ABC First Coast events has provided a great platform for building connections with general contracting trade partners in the greater Jacksonville area. While Baker is a large nationwide company, these events have helped shorten the process of getting to know future partners and establishing meaningful relationships locally.