In business for almost 50 years, Ron Clark Construction & Design continues to prosper in the Twin Cities and beyond. With its reputation for building high-quality single family homes and townhomes, and with experienced and knowledgeable employees, that’s no surprise.
“About 50% of our employees have been with Ron Clark for over 20 years and many of us have been in the construction industry for pretty much our whole lives,” says CEO Mike Waldo, who has been with the company for 14 years. “That consistency, along with an understanding of what it takes as an organization to continue to deliver high-quality products, is what makes us successful.”
Adds director of sales, Jeff Bergom, who has 18 years invested with the company, “When I meet with potential customers and they're looking at different builders, it’s longevity, knowledge and stability that they’re seeking. They are much more at ease going with us because of all the time we have as part of the Ron Clark family.”
Bergom is thankful to have worked under Ron for all these years. “He really cares about you as an individual and about his and his company’s reputation, and he just does the right thing. He’s taken family values and brought them into this business.”
Another key to its success? Being a one-stop shop. There are architects, salespeople, development experts, construction people and interior designers who know what homeowners in the area expect.
“Most of our clients want an aesthetic that’s warm and cozy, but clean and timeless,” says interior design manager, Barbara Cross, who has been on staff for 23 years, and has seen trends come and go. “The question always comes up, ‘What's the hottest trend?’ and I always say the hottest trend is going to be gone by the time your home is built. Instead, I ask ‘What do you like? What makes you feel good? What makes you feel at home?’”
She’s thankful to have made a career with Ron Clark Construction & Design. “With Mike Waldo being CEO and now taking over ownership of the company, there hasn’t been a hitch in the same thought process that Ron Clark has.”
The whole team is thankful for their success and happiness not only in their professional lives, but in their personal lives as well. “I had kids so I could get grandkids,” laughs Mike, who lives in Maple Grove. “My life revolves around those five and as long as I keep my wife happy, life is good.”
“I'm halfway between my folks and the office, so it works,” says Barbara. “My family all live in a 15-mile circle. What I'm most thankful for is that at the age of 59, I’m lucky enough to still have both of my parents.”
Jeff and his wife live in Eagan, and they love the location. “One of the nice things about Eagan is we've got fairly quick access to St. Paul and Minneapolis, but we have some nice green spaces as well. Also, my kids are starting their professional careers here in town, and after losing my father, my mother is now back in Eden Prairie, so her closeness is very special for me and my family.”
While Ron, Mike, Jeff, and Barbara all live in and around the Twin Cities, COO Kenton Hove is a bit farther away, but he has a good reason. “My kids were born in Wisconsin, and I figured they could stay there and get through school. My family has supported me in my endeavors and puts up with my traveling back and forth.”
The commute is worth it to him. “I've known Mike for 31 years, and he's been a great mentor and partner throughout the years. Also, working for Ron Clark has been much less stressful and much more engaging. Everyone takes recommendations seriously, and we're all open to change. I'm very grateful for that.”
Adds director of marketing, Sarah Dulong, who has 28 years of seniority with the company, “You have to change with the times, and so we try very hard as a whole to adapt to that.”
Nobody's perfect, says Mike, but they solve problems together. “We might bicker just like brothers and sisters, but that drives us to continue to improve and deliver a product at a level that our customers are expecting.”
“We believe in each other,” says Jeff. “We believe in what we do.”
Ron Clark Construction & Design also believes strongly in giving back to causes close to its employees’ hearts. “One that's the most sensitive to our entire company is Alzheimer's, which we lost Ron's wife to, and I also lost my dad to,” says Mike. “We've got a bunch of employees who have lost family members to Alzheimer's too, so we do a lot behind the scenes with that.”
The company mostly does business inside the I-494 loop, including the building of seven villas on the grounds of the Golden Valley Country Club. “We always deliver a fabulous project for clients and for the neighborhood, and it’s also something that we can take pride in.”