A Team of Passionate Builders Leading their Industry

Integrated services, internal ownership, and a people-first approach

 

As an industry, water and wastewater infrastructure is undergoing what could be seen as an evolution thanks to the innovative strategies and services of companies like PC Construction.

As a 100% employee-owned company, PC Construction has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, large-scale infrastructure and building projects across the eastern United States.

A mixture of high-level planning and closely monitored operations has allowed the company to maintain and even elevate the standards that have earned it a household name in construction.

To strengthen its regional presence, the company is expanding into new technologies, focusing on emerging concerns in water and wastewater treatment.

A regional approach has allowed PC Construction to integrate more deeply into the communities it serves, bringing its construction expertise to support the unique challenges of each location.

To compound on that success, PC’s leadership prioritizes cultivating local expertise, leveraging strong relationships with partners in each region. Operationally, the company also embraces collaborative delivery methods such as Construction Management-at-Risk (CMAR) and design-build models.

With these strategies combined, PC Construction has solidified its role as a leader in water, wastewater, and vertical construction while ensuring its projects remain cost-effective and community focused.

PC Construction’s skilled employee-owners and external partners are at the core of these strategies. Investing in workforce training and strengthening partnerships with subcontractors and suppliers has been crucial to maintaining an optimal company culture. Their growth is driven by the strength of their people and, as employee-owners, each person has a fiduciary responsibility to the success of each project.

PC Construction is well-positioned for continued growth due to its dedication to innovation, operational efficiency, and employee-driven success.

By focusing on sustainable infrastructure and deepening its commitment to regional communities, the company is shaping a future in which its reputation for quality, collaboration, and excellence continues to thrive.

A Legacy of Ownership and Delivered Value

With a history dating back nearly 70 years, PC Construction has evolved from a small Vermont-based operation into a nationally recognized leader in construction. Founded by the Pizzagalli brothers, the company is Vermont’s largest construction company with operations spanning the East Coast.

A pivotal moment in PC Construction’s journey was its transition to an employee-owned structure, which began in 2002 and culminated in full employee ownership in 2009.

This structural shift solidified a culture of accountability, teamwork, and long-term success. In fact, the employee-ownership model plays a foundational role in the company’s current regional success. In the past, teams would relocate to construct projects. The establishment of regional offices lifted that burden off the shoulders of the employees and created hubs of reliable work.

The company has established regional offices in Florida, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, and Washington DC, ensuring employees can live and work within their established communities.

“This business has changed in the last several years. Folks don’t want to pick up their families or leave to move to a new location. We’ve created these offices in places we’ve worked for years to really solidify ourselves more in those regions,” explains Chief Executive Officer Matt Cooke.

This has allowed the company’s employee-owners to continue the great work they do without disrupting or sacrificing their work-life balance and family time.

“We want our employees to be home every night, attending their kids’ baseball games and being active members of their communities,” Cooke says. “It’s about creating long-term regional relationships rather than simply moving teams from project to project.”

In addition to workforce considerations, the evolving nature of the construction industry was also a strong motivator behind PC Construction’s regional expansion. This regional focus has also allowed PC Construction to tailor its approach to specific market needs.

For example, in Georgia, high biosolid handling costs have driven a surge in construction work aimed at optimizing waste management.

Meanwhile, in the Mid-Atlantic, the company recently completed WSSC Water’s Piscataway WRRF Bioenergy Facility, a project designed to convert digester gas into energy and ultimately save millions in operating costs.

Further up north, the company is delivering complex manufacturing facilities, state-of-the-art health care spaces, multi-family housing, and extensive education and campus improvements.

All of these considerations have paid off because today, PC Construction has approximately 460 employee-owners, with a remarkable 70% retention rate across the workforce.

The average tenure of its administrative and management employees is an impressive 12+ years, underscoring the company’s strong internal culture and dedication to its workforce.

Collaborative Project Strategies and Strengthened Partnerships

PC Construction was an early pioneer of the collaborative project delivery methods to enhance project outcomes.

“The majority of our revenue as a company comes through collaborative delivery, whether it’s CMAR or Progressive Design-Build, and we find that our early involvement in a project really provides massive benefits to our owners and clients,” says Senior Director of Business Development Alan Parent.

In fact, approximately $800 million of project work that the company procured in 2024 will be completed via Design-Build or CMAR.

These approaches allow the company to engage early in the design process, providing cost assurance, risk mitigation, and efficient project execution.

PC Construction’s early involvement allows it to be the owner’s advocate and keeps it at the forefront of what the construction industry needs.

“There’s a lot of change in the industry, whether it’s regulatory or  political.. So, we see the continued trend of increased collaborative delivery. It’s a method that allows us to be nimble and work with our owners to deliver projects that fit their ever changing resources and project needs,” explains Construction Executive, Georgia Region Mike Yesalonia.

A prime example of PC Construction’s success in collaborative delivery is the Atlanta Water Supply Program, which utilized CMAR as a strategy.

This award-winning project showcased the company’s ability to align scope with budget, ensuring cost efficiency while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards on an incredibly complex project.

“Our involvement was essential to matching the owner’s budget to the scope of the project. It required a really high level of estimating during preconstruction efforts… but the actual costs of the project became real through multiple GMPs,” Parent explains.

Through multiple Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) phases, PC Construction optimized cost structures, allowing the city to maximize its investment and add scope to the project in the final phase.

PC Construction recognizes the value of long-standing partnerships in delivering quality projects, and this is not limited to just its client relationships. The company has cultivated deep relationships with engineering firms, subcontractors, and trade partners, many of which have been part of its network for decades.

These relationships enhance project efficiency, ensuring better scheduling, resource allocation, and overall quality. Beyond its industry partnerships, PC Construction actively invests in community engagement.

The company’s teams participate in charitable initiatives such as housing upgrades for disabled veterans, storm relief efforts, toy drives, and food bank support.

“We like to get out and make our presence known positively by giving back to the communities we serve,” Yesalonia states.

Finally, as a 100% employee-owned company, PC Construction strongly emphasizes workforce development and well-being. The company prioritizes competitive compensation, professional growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

Employee-owners take pride in their work, knowing that their efforts directly contribute to the company’s long-term success.

“We operate with a people-first mentality,” Cooke explains. “We set high expectations, but we also ensure that our people are treated fairly and feel valued. Without our people, PC Construction is nothing.”

The company’s employee-ownership structure further incentivizes long-term dedication, as each employee-owner directly benefits from the company’s success.

Shaping a Sustainable Future in Public Works

PC Construction’s commitment to excellence has earned it numerous industry accolades, including the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Southeast Contractor of the Year award in 2021.

The company’s innovative projects, like the Atlanta Water Supply Program, have also received regional, national, and global recognition for their engineering and construction achievements.

Looking ahead, PC Construction is positioning itself to address emerging trends in public works and infrastructure development.

The company is actively preparing for increased regulatory changes, such as new EPA guidelines on PFAS treatment, while continuing to expand its presence in high-growth markets.

The company has been at the forefront of innovative wastewater management solutions, including energy-recovery systems that reduce municipalities’ long-term operational costs.

Additionally, PC Construction is committed to staying ahead of industry trends through increased investment in collaborative delivery methods.

“We’re seeing more owners embrace collaborative delivery because it allows for flexibility and greater project efficiency,” Yesalonia notes. “We anticipate this trend will only continue to grow.”

As PC Construction continues its expansion, its mission remains clear: to provide industry-leading construction solutions while maintaining its commitment to people, partnerships, and quality.

The company’s strategic regional approach, emphasis on employee ownership, and dedication to innovation ensure that it remains a trusted leader in the construction industry.

With a strong foundation built on collaboration, integrity, and expertise, PC Construction is well-positioned to lead the construction industry both locally and nationally for years to come.

AT A GLANCE

Who: PC Construction
What: A 100% employee-owned construction firm specializing in large-scale infrastructure projects, including water and wastewater, and vertical construction, with a focus on collaborative project delivery.
Where: Offices in Florida, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, and Washington DC , serving projects across the eastern United States.
Website: www.pcconstruction.com