Joel M. Carlins, co-chief executive officer with Chicago-based developer Magellan Group, spent his early years engaged in the intangibles inherent in the practice of law. Once a case or consultancy concluded, all that remained were files he stored in an office cabinet. Related Links: Owner of the Year 2011 Chicago Commission Greenlights 67-Story Residential Tower An encounter with the Salvation Army in the 1990s changed all of that. By then, Carlins had consulted building owners, designers and contractors, in addition to numerous area banks. He had also begun dabbling in construction, including the redevelopment of a rapid transit station. The

Tom Murphy, founder, chairman and CEO of Coastal Construction Group, doesn't get out to the field as often as he'd like these days. And that's a bit of a shame, for even after more than 45 years in the industry, a construction site is where he's happiest. Photo by Angel E. Valentin Image courtesy Coastal Construction Coastal Construction is currently renovating and significantly expanding the historic Surf Club. Related Links: Engineering News Record Architectural Record "I like watching sites get turned into buildings, then going back to them years later," he says. "There's nothing like seeing a good project and

Pat Rodgers' tenure at Charlotte-based Rodgers Builders was supposed to last only two days—a temporary assignment as a receptionist to help the newly transplanted Midwesterner get her feet on the ground. Photo courtesy of Rodgers Builders Photos courtesy of Rodgers Builders Building community assets Rodgers Builders, along with joint-venture partners Barton Malow and R.J. Leeper, built the BB&T Knights Ballpark in Charlotte, which won ENR Southeast's Best Projects award in the sports/entertainment category. Related Links: Rodgers Builders Melds Traditional Values, Innovation B.D. Rodgers, 89, Founded Charlotte-Based Rodgers Builders Fortunately for the company and the Southeast's construction industry, she never left.

Denny Pehrson admits that he has the instincts of a teacher as much as a builder. Pehrson, 75, honed his teaching skills working as a foreman, superintendent and senior superintendent during 57 years in the industry—a career in which he mentored hundreds of young constructors. He officially retired five years ago from Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Aurora, Colo., but Pehrson continues to visit A&P jobsites to offer suggestions, safety tips and "an occasional kick in the pants" to younger colleagues. In July he celebrated 49 years with the company. Photo courtesy of Adolfson and Peterson Construction Retired senior superintendent Denny

Some attorneys like the dynamics of a trial, the verbal combat of litigation. While longtime construction attorney Robert F. Babcock certainly doesn't shy away from confrontation, he says he prefers to find out-of-court answers that work for everyone. Photo courtesy of Babcock Scott & Babcock Salt Lake City construction attorney Robert F. Babcock has built a reputation for finding workable solutions to disputes without resorting to expensive litigation. Related Links: Wyoming Lien Laws Utah's Liquidated Damages Clauses Babcock, 61, a partner and co-founder of Salt Lake City law firm Babcock Scott & Babcock, has been working for more than 35

Charles Keyes, a structural engineer with Martin/Martin Inc., is the 2013 recipient of the ENR Mountain States Legacy Award, given to an individual who has contributed significantly to the regional architecture-engineering-construction sector and the community. Photo courtesy of Martin/Martin Inc. Chuck Keyes stands on the construction site of Denver's Currigan Hall in 1967, where he led the structural engineering design for its patented space-frame system. Related Links: AIA Colorado Honors 2011 Award Winners ACEC Scholarships Keyes, 72, is beginning a "phased retirement" after 45 years at the Lakewood, Colo., firm and its predecessors. He is best known for his structural

Chances are, if you’ve driven almost anywhere in Utah on Interstate 80 or flown into Salt Lake City International Airport, you’ve used roads and tarmac paved by Mont Wilson. Photo: Alan Blakely Photography Related Links: Intermountain Best of 2010 Wilson, now a part-time consultant for Granite Construction Co., Salt Lake City, has worked in the Utah paving industry for more than 45 years—and laid down a lot of asphalt across the state during that time. In his 20-year tenure at Granite, Wilson oversaw the company’s Portable Paving Division as division manager and helped to lead the expansion of Granite, headquartered

Wally Prebis knows as much about structural concrete as one person can. Related Links: Back to Gold Hard Hat Awards Prebis has spent his entire career, 41 years, telling anyone who would listen that prestress concrete is one of the best building materials around and why it should become a staple of the construction industry. PREBIS Now, Prebis, 79, who founded and led the Colorado Prestressers Association as its executive director for four decades, retired from the job this fall, and his calm, confident voice will be sorely missed. As the CPA leader, he convinced an entire industry, from owners

Northwest Construction launched the Legacy Awards at the 2009 Best of breakfast, to recognize individuals who have made a lasting change in the local construction industry. The 2009 award went to Jack Rafn, Rafn Co., Bellevue, who sat on the original steering committee that contacted Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) National and requested chapter-in-formation status. Photo Credit: ABC Jack Rafn worked to maintain cooperative relationships with all project team members, a controversial idea when he started his company in 1978. Rafn Company lost a job they had been low bidder on, solely because of their open shop status. This discrimination