HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Dan Spitza, PE, VMA
President
I’m excited to share that February 2024 marks a significant milestone in the history of Achen-Gardner Construction as we celebrate 35 years of providing high-quality pre-construction and construction services. Since our modest beginnings in 1989 we have completed thousands of projects and built countless relationships in the public and private sectors, and we are honored to be an integral part of the growth of Arizona.
This also happens to be our five-year anniversary of being an employee-owned company and a member of the Emery Sapp & Sons family of companies which includes Rummel Construction. Consistent with our core values, which we call the 5 Ps: People, Purpose, Partnership, Passion, and Performance, we will be including stories throughout the year from our most tenured employee owners celebrating our history and our clients. I would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of our employees, clients, partners, and friends for all that you have done in making our first 35 years successful.
Decades of Dedication
John Broderick, Project Superintendent
Years with Achen-Gardner Construction: 32
In the heart of our company’s history lies a testament to dedication and loyalty—John Broderick, project superintendent, our longest-tenured employee-owner. Having been an integral part of our company for 32 remarkable years, John has witnessed the evolution and growth of Achen-Gardner. Reflecting on his time, John shared with us that one of his most memorable projects was the Bell Road Improvements (28th Street to 56th Street) Design-Bid-Build project for the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department which was completed in 1997. This project required the accelerated widening of Bell Road, including the improvement of five major signalized intersections at 32nd, 40th, 48th, 56th Streets, and Tatum Boulevard ahead of the completion of ADOT’s Loop 101 in the same area. We utilized our grading, paving, and underground crews as well as the newly established concrete flatwork and structures crews.
“I take a lot of pride in what I do here, and I’d like to think I have had a part in creating Achen-Gardner’s reputation for completing complex high-quality projects.”
Scott Colbath, Project Superintendent
Years with Achen-Gardner Construction: 29.5
For nearly three decades, Scott Colbath has been an integral part of Achen-Gardner’s sucess, embodying the very essence of our core values and principles. Through every triumph and challenge, he consistently demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to his work and our collective success. Scott shared with us that his most memorable project is the award-winning Pima Road Improvement CMAR project for the City of Scottsdale. Scott said his favorite part of this project was Phase 1 from the Loop 101 to Thompson Peak Parkway (photo below).
“It’s been great to work here. Clearly, something’s going right.”
“We got to build through the desert, through a brand-new area, and put in all the new water, sewer, and everything. It was so much fun,” Scott said.
Kevin Nunez, Vice President
Years with Achen-Gardner Construction: 30
Kevin Nunez has been a driving force in the success of Achen-Gardner Construction for more than 30 years. His knowledge, leadership, values, passion, and unique sense of humor have supported our company’s culture and reputation for high-quality work and client satisfaction.
Kevin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Arizona State University and started his career at Achen-Gardner in 1994. He climbed the ranks as a Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, General Manager/Chief Estimator, and Vice President.
One of his most memorable projects was the Downtown Phoenix Streetscape Improvements Design-Bid-Build project for the City of Phoenix. The planned 14-month project was expedited and completed in five months, just before the 1995 NBA All-Star Game. The iconic concrete lights still remain and remind Kevin of this challenging project. “Years later, I still drive by and say, ‘I was part of that work. We put that in’,” he said.
“I love the people and the company culture that draws in those people. It’s a family around here.”
Timeline graphic of major events in Achen-Gardner’s history.