Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/479683
FBA-24 Hartford Business Journal • October 13, 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com 2014 Connecticut Family Business Awards Finalist 2014 Connecticut Family Business Awards LaRosa Building Group LLC What are the family values of your business, and how do they help you remain competitive in the market? Safety, communication, quality, innova- tion, courtesy. Each project challenges LBG to develop innovative solutions to new chal- lenges, or to explore new practices, including green building, high-security construction, and historic preservation. With ever-evolv- ing legislative, environmental, and industry climates, LBG's focus on its five principles sustains its position in the modern market. What would your founder say about the state of your company today and its achievement in the past year? "When Carmela and I started this venture 35 years ago, we could only dream of the suc- cess we've experienced. What began to sup- port our own family has now grown to sup- port the dozens of families of our employees. As business owners, as parents, we couldn't be more proud." – Robert N. LaRosa What is the biggest challenge to your business in the coming year? Business is about people, product, and profits. Without good people, product or prof- it won't do much good. Our business has felt the shift in today's social climate to instant gratification. Our continued success depends upon people who share our values joining our team to help sustain our growth. STATS: Location: Meriden Industry: Construction Founded: 1979 Founders: Robert N. LaRosa (husband) and Carmela LaRosa (wife) Generation Currently Running Company: 1st & 2nd Full-Time Employees: 26 Family Members Currently Employed: Robert N. LaRosa (father), CEO; James A. LaRosa (son), COO; Patricia Parete (daughter), CFO Company Website: www.LaRosaBG.com (Above) LaRosa executives Bob, Jim, and Patricia (center) surrounded by their dedicated team. Jones Engineering Co. LLC What are the family values of your business, and how do they help you remain competitive in the market? The hard work and honesty working in association with large companies to build union jobs has made an honorable reputation for Kratzert and Jones which then changed to Jones Engineering. Now Jones Engineering is leading the way with new talent to work in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. What would your founder say about the state of your company today and its achievements in the last year? "As a founding partner of Kratzert, Jones, and Associates in 1963, it gives me great plea- sure to see our son Jim and grandson Col- lin continuing the family tradition as Jones Engineering. Jim showed early interest in the surveying profession and has had his survey- ing license for a number of years." — Roger W. Jones. What is the biggest challenge to your business in the coming year? There have been many changes through- out the years with employees, partners, and economic hardships. Jones Engineering has managed to keep the company going, keep employees long term, or find other jobs for them. We promote an outstanding work ethic and reputation. STATS: Location: Southington Industry: Engineering and Land Survey Founded: 1963 Founder: Roger W. Jones Generation Currently Running Company: 3rd Full-Time Employees: 5 Family Members Currently Employed: James E. Jones (father), land surveyor; Collin F. Jones (son), survey party chief Company Website: jonesengineeringllc.com Roger W. Jones founded the company in 1963. (Top) Jones Engineering employs five people, who do survey work. (Above) Jones Engineering is operating under its third generation. Finalist CATEGORY: 25-75 full-time employees (Above) More than 75 employee, subcontractors, suppliers, and affiliates attended the Subcontractor Appreciation Pig Roast in 2013. (Right) A LaRosa crew coordinates the renovation of the Hunter's Ambulance Facility in Meriden. CATEGORY: Fewer than 25 full-time employees