The ribbon’s been cut. A new hospital wing opens, an office tower rises, or an airport welcomes its first travelers. It’s a moment to celebrate — but it’s not the whole story.
Long before the speeches and applause, an entire network of people was already hard at work.
In Genesee County and across the world, major development projects are never built in isolation. Behind every successful project, construction management companies, contractors, planners, subcontractors, trade unions, and tradespeople each play a vital role in bringing these projects to life.
In Flint & Genesee, that ecosystem was born more than a century ago – and it’s been key to the success of countless developments that have taken place both inside and outside the region.
“Successful construction projects don’t come from an idea or money or strategy,” said Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Rhoads & Johnson. “They come from the trust and relationships we have here in Genesee County.
“I know the people who will stand beside me and deliver a successful project on time and on budget. Those are the people I go to war with over and over and over again.”
Rhoads & Johnson knows about longevity. The Fenton construction company’s roots go back to 1902; Kevin Johnson is the fourth generation to run the family business. The full-service company offers a range of design/build and construction management services to meet their clients’ needs.
They also lead their own developments.
“I noticed there was a real shortage of industrial parks to attract new talent or get local companies to stay here when they needed to move or expand,” Johnson said.
When Johnson decided several years ago to develop the Grand Blanc Enterprise Park, he called in a team of trusted partners, including local economic development experts, Grand Blanc Township officials, unions, and prospective anchors for the industrial park.
Johnson secured Fessler & Bowman, TransPak, and John P. O’Sullivan Distributing as occupants for the park — and the development was off to the races.
“Enterprise Park is one of the largest new industrial developments in Genesee County in the last 25 years and houses three of the largest businesses in the area,” he said.
“We used the same local, union trades and the same network of subcontractors because they deliver what they promise and it brings value to the customer,” Johnson said. “I always say we’re only as good as the subcontractors we use — and we use really good subcontractors.”
Those include companies like Fessler & Bowman, Dee Cramer, Inc., Roth Electrical, Weinstein Electric, William E. Walters, Inc., Johnson & Wood, Proex Excavation, Rohmann Iron Works, and Wolverine Fire Protection.
Rhoads & Johnson also relies on construction unions representing carpenters, concrete finishers, excavators, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and steel erectors.
“At the end of the day, the unions are cost competitive, provide a better workforce and training, and have the experience we need,” Johnson said. “We can always count on them.”
And Genesee County’s workforce talent is second to none, Johnson said.
“I’ve worked across the globe and I’m telling you that our workers in the construction trades are as good or better than anyplace else in the country,” he said.
Ghassan Saab agrees.
As CEO of Sorensen Gross, another leading Flint construction company, Saab relies on the skills and expertise that Genesee County workers bring to the table.
“We believe in success through partnership — not just with owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors, but with all of our support companies and team members,” Saab said.
Founded 100 years ago in Grand Rapids, the company moved to Flint in 1927 and quickly established itself as one of the city’s premier builders. They offer general contracting, construction management, and design/build services.
In the last century, Sorensen Gross has helped clients complete thousands of projects across the world, building communities from the ground up. Nowhere is that work more apparent than in Flint, where Saab has played a key leadership role in redeveloping the downtown and surrounding areas with Uptown Developments, in partnership with Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC).
“When people need something for the community, they come to Sorensen Gross,” Saab said. “We’re very proud to be part of the good things happening in Flint.”
Sorensen Gross has certainly left its mark on the community. They’ve built several landmark buildings in Flint, along with spearheading many additional rehabilitation and redevelopment efforts.
Past projects include a series of expansions at Flint Bishop International Airport, renovations at Genesys Downtown Health Center, additions and renovations at the Flint Institute of Arts, and the construction of the Hospitality House at McLaren Flint.
The company recently completed work on the newest addition to Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. The 40,000-square-foot, three-story building will help the university continue to meet the health care needs of the Flint community, said Bruce Hemingway, Midwest vice president of Sorensen Gross.
They’ve also played a major role over the years in constructing numerous buildings at the University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint). The firm is currently building the new Innovation and Technology Center on campus. It will feature state-of-the-art instructional laboratories and areas designed to encourage collaboration and interdisciplinary research.
“We take great pride (in the fact) that we have constructed several buildings at UM-Flint and that we have participated in that renovation and rebirth of the city,” Saab said.
Sorensen Gross relies on a core group of local subcontractors and suppliers when possible. The MSU addition, for example, included local companies Dee Cramer, Halligan Electric, Calvin & Company, Commercial Casework, and Advantage Mechanical Group, Hemingway said.
“When I see subcontractors’ names like that on our projects, it’s a relief,” Hemingway said. “They’re local people with local employees who take pride in their community and want to keep those jobs coming in.”
The same holds true for local union workers.
“We have ample talent in this city, which allows us to accomplish so many things for our community,” Saab said.
Both Saab and Johnson said communication and trust are vital when developing and maintaining a strong network of business and workforce partners.
“So even if we’re not talking all the time, they know that they can trust us; they can trust our family, they can trust our company, and they know that we’re going to do it right,” said Johnson, who has been at the helm of Rhoads & Johnson for 25 years.
It makes a difference.
Johnson’s greatest accomplishments aren’t the buildings he’s constructed; it’s the relationships he’s built.
“I’m only as successful as the people around me … this wonderful network that’s in Genesee County,” Johnson said.