Have you checked out the Summer 2023 Edition of the Colorado Public Works Journal?  

If so, you may have seen Angela Folkestad’s article about about  Urban Heat Islands.

Learn more about them, HERE, and also make sure to take a look around to keep current on what’s happening in our state!

I-80 Westbound Granger Junction, WY

We spoke with Brian Martinez, Area Manager, to learn a bit more about our member.

Brian grew up in Leadville and always wanted to be an engineer. He attended UC Boulder where he earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering. He visited his parents in Nevada where he lived and breathed asphalt, dirt and portable plants.  He also worked on

concrete in Reno. When deciding to move back to Colorado, a friend of his had great things to say about IHC which piqued his interest.

Now, his primary market is DIA and other airports and runways.  While it’s a complicated job, he takes pride in giving it his all every day and feels it’s rewarding work. “If it were easy, there’d be more competition.”

First things first about IHC Scott:

1. Established: 1947 as Interstate Highway Construction during post-war era in Michigan.
2. Moved regional offices to Colorado and Texas in 1983.
3. Ralph Wilson, former owner of Buffalo Bills, owned IHC from 1983-2020. His father, Ralph Wilson Sr. was one of IHC’s original investors over 60 years ago!
4. IHC was acquired by Clyde Companies in 2020. It was then that IHC and Scott Contracting, a highly regarded Denver-based contractor, were merged to create IHC Scott.

How would you define the values of IHC Scott?

Building better communities, it’s why we exist. We are built on a foundation of quality work, professionalism, and execution. We have a reputation for excellence and our goal is to maintain high quality products and services across the construction industry. Clyde Companies has been around since 1926. Our new company-wide vision statement is to be, ‘The most respected partner of our industry for another 100 years.’ Clyde Companies is known to be on the forefront of innovation, and we aim to continuously improve.

Our value: Our word is our bond. We aim to always give a full measure, and that means, we commit to answering a question, give our all, and be detail oriented.  We build values that prove that we are committed to each other and our clients.  We value people; ours and the people in our communities that we serve.

What do you see as being the current challenges in the industry?

Perspective.  This industry is not as attractive as it used to be. It is harder to build work compared to the past.  There are more options in this world to make money and perhaps, make money easier. How to attract people? What are we doing to overcome challenge of finding people? We can’t build without people. So, it has to begin with relationships.  Mentoring and exposure. We need more tradesman and the older people in the industry need not take the time as mentors to pass the knowledge on. 

The industry is also constantly changing. There’s so much cool technology happening so we need to show those people who enjoy tech that there’s a place for them in these industries. IHC Scott has a full-blown training department headed by Stephen VanOster, Director of Training. The Director of Quality Control, Martin Holt, has been with IHC Scott for nearly 40 years.

Does IHC have any other involvements, in the community, for example?

IHC Scott Employees Participate in Big Dig Northern Colorado

IHC Scott has a huge list of involvements.  From partnering with the Ronald McDonald house to the Habitat for Humanity, they also participate in and organize diaper drives for families in need and supply drives for the homeless. IHC Scott is open to suggestions from its employees on new ways to help and give.  “[Our employees] have the ability to engage, core level, skilled people to help families or interests.  Anyone can suggest an involvement.”

Giving back is a huge thing with Clyde.  From IHC’s website, you can find involvements with CCA, ACPA, ARTBA and The Associated General Contractors of America.  They value educational partners such as Colorado State University, the Colorado School of Mines Foundation, and the University of Colorado Foundation.

What do you find valuable in being a member of an association? 

WE love winning awards! Associations provide an invaluable and avenue for us contractors to come together and celebrate out industry. While we are competitors, in the end we are in this together.  We learn and share with each other, and you never know when you are going to need help.  The ACPA is a good way to getting together. I love the events.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Take pride in your industry – if you truly enjoy it, you can make a mark.

Thank you, Brian and IHC Scott, for your time in sharing a bit about what makes you great!