4 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. INCOMING CHAIR President of Holsbeke Construction Steps into Leadership Role for the Merit Shop Chris Holsbeke Sr. got his start on the job site at just five years old having been going around with his dad. Since that day, he’s made no plans to leave the job site and wants to continue making an impact on the construction industry. ABC is pleased to introduce him as our next chairman. Holsbeke Construction was founded in 1957 by Ray Holsbeke and focused primarily on concrete. Chris Holsbeke joined his dad full-time right out of high school while also attending Macomb Community College to pursue his degree in construction management. “The plan was four years, but while I was in college, my dad got sick and he wasn’t able to work. So, I took a year off to help him run the company,” Holsbeke said. “When my dad was well enough to come back, he told me to finish my bachelor’s degree, but I was already making good money, so I continued working for him having already finished my associate’s degree.” Holsbeke added that at the time he stepped up to help his dad, they only had three employees, and specialized in concrete with some masonry. He Chris Holsbeke Sr. stands proudly in the Holsbeke Construction yard. became an official partner in the business in 1985 with growth as the goal. “We worked under a philosophy that if you don’t have cash for it, you can’t afford it,” said Holsbeke. “However, in my early 20s, I approached my dad telling him that we needed to buy equipment and grow this business.” Holsbeke recognized the opportunity to provide more than just concrete services when some of their concrete customers needed more done, but they couldn’t find a builder. His company started doing side projects on concrete jobs such as landscaping, steel work and railings, which lead to doing three-quarters of most jobs. This launched the general contracting branch of Holsbeke Construction more than 20 years ago. Today Holsbeke Construction is running 60 workers in the field and Chris Holsbeke has no plans to slow down anytime soon. As a second-generation owner himself, he is putting steps in place for his son, Chris Holsbeke Jr. to step in and run the company. Family Man and Business Owner Adds ABC Board Chair to His Title
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