HB Built a Workplace That Supports its Staffers’ Personal and Professional Goals
Best Places to Work 2011
#1 Small Sized Company
HB Construction Inc.
HB Built a Workplace That Supports its Staffers’ Personal and Professional Goals
By: Amanda C. Kooser | Special to NMBW
December 9, 2011
When he was young, Jason W. Harrington dreamed of working with his father. He got that opportunity when Ken Harrington started HB Construction in 1991.
As President and CEO, the younger Harrington is using lessons he learned from his now retired father’s management style.
“The biggest thing is to surround yourself with really talented people,”Harrington says. “Once you do that, you empower them and let them do their thing.”
One of those talented people is brother Adam Harrington, CFO. He came on board in 2001.
“I’m glad he joined us, because he’s been a big part of our success,” Jason Harrington says.
Harrington supports his employees with full health, dental and vision benefits that the company covers 100 percent.
The recession and slowdown in the construction market have given HB Construction time to look inward and find ways to improve. Harrington declined to disclose revenue.
“Rather than laying off employees and not making any investments in the company, we’re doing the opposite. We’re trying to find ways to accelerate our performance,” says Jen Burpo, director of business development.
Burpo has been with the company for two and a half years. When she reaches the three-year mark, she will start participating in a profit-sharing retirement plan. HB Construction pays up to 25 percent of each employee’s salary into a retirement fund at no cost to the employee.
The company offers perks such as Lobos and Isotopes tickets, but the support for training and community efforts is what really gets employees like Burpo excited.
She took courses for Adobe InDesign and architectural photography. Others in the company have pursued LEED training and accreditation.
“Not only are we afforded the time off, they pay for that certification or class,” Burpo says.
Harrington likes to help with his employees’ professional and personal goals.
“If you’re interested in something, I want to support you,” he says.
Public speaking training was one recent employee-driven initiative.
“One of the things that’s changed about our industry in the last few years is that we do a lot more interviews in front of clients. Half of our company is in a Toastmasters group,” Harrington says.
HB Construction is able to afford employee benefits by prioritizing them. Harrington keeps the company lean and runs the business with low overhead.
“Our business model is not to have a lot of employees, it’s to have the very best employees,” he says.
That approach has allowed him to invest in the latest technologies his employees ask for, such as iPads and modeling software.
Though the company’s intention is to stay small, Harrington keeps an open mind about bringing on new staffers.
“We are always looking to hire world-class talent,” he says.
HB recently created an endowment fund with the Albuquerque Community Foundation that will help community organizations chosen by employees and their families.
“I wanted something that our employees could rally behind. I want our employees to know we’re committed long-term to this community an to them,” Harrington says.
His goal is to foster leaders within the company.
“I don’t plan on being the president for the rest of my life. I’m trying to create leaders here that will take this company to the next level,” he says.