Construction Managers

Gilbane content to feast on home cooking

While many of its competitors are subsidiaries of foreign construction organizations, Providence, R.I.-based Gilbane Building Co. finds success in its independent status. "We don't have any particular need for capital, or ambitions beyond what we feel we can handle ourselves," says Chairman and CEO Paul Choquette, Jr. "The family is still very involved, and very interested in maintaining our unique culture and environment." The Gilbane family oversees day-to-day operations of the 129-year-old firm. Choquette, company President and COO Thomas Gilbane and Executive Vice President William Gilbane are cousins.

"Nothing really drives us toward looking at an alternative ownership structure," Choquette says, adding, "Even though we're a family-owned business, we're professionally managed."

Although Gilbane constructed buildings in Saudi Arabia in the 1960s and later in South America, the company has not performed actual construction in a foreign country during the past decade. "Our plate has been full with U.S. projects," Choquette says. "We've always been cautious about overreach, which often occurs in our industry. Appetites can exceed resources."

Gilbane has, nevertheless, handled consulting assignments for international customers, and Choquette envisions the possibility of an expanding foreign construction role on this basis.

Gilbane has traditionally focused on public sector projects. Choquette marvels at the "phenomenal" volume of college and university work, with the company currently active on more than 50 campuses. Reconstruction and expansion of elementary and high schools is also a strong market for Gilbane. Projects for the U.S. General Services Administration include the renovation of a major federal building in downtown Chicago.

The firm has not been active in the commercial sector. "We have not found the developer world to be one we're as comfortable with as we are with long-term customers," Choquette notes.