It is difficult to summarize all the emotions that go through a person's mind as he thinks about a business that he's had a relationship with his entire life.  As a young boy, I used to watch my father leave early in the morning and listen to him tell of both good and bad times when he returned.  I was extremely excited when he allowed me to accompany him to a project to see its progress and see a building created through the efforts of many that would provide beauty and function for generations to come.  As I grow older and more mature, I realize that this business has provided a livelihood for my family for the past half century and that it's more than just building buildings.  It has been 50 years of building relationships that we have developed with subcontractors and suppliers throughout the state. I am reminded of these relationships often as I attend MBI meetings and talk to people that knew my father or myself for over 20 to 30 years.

     The construction industry is an extremely competitive and risky business to be involved in, but I can think of few businesses that provide the gratification in relationships and physical evidence that is as long lasting as a job well done.  I'm very thankful for being given the opportunity to work for Grabau Construction and for being surrounded by such competent people.

--James R. Grabau