The Large Industry Award recognizes a business that supports the community while contributing to the success of Sanford and Lee County.

This community has been part of our story since 1969. As our company has grown, the relationships we’ve built here have remained at the heart of who we are. This recognition means a great deal to us because it comes from the community that has supported us from the beginning.

We’re grateful to our team members, whose hard work makes everything we do possible, and to the clients, partners and neighbors who continue to place their trust in us. 

We were also proud to see Richard Oldham recognized for his service as chair of SAGA’s Board of Directors from 2024 to 2026.

Thank you to the Sanford Area Growth Alliance for a special evening and for this great honor. 

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Hundreds of attendees enjoyed the many attractions Gross Farms has to offer, including the corn maze, hayrides, jump pad, pedal-kart track, and more. This year’s event also featured several exciting additions, including Pint-Sized Pasture, which joined us for the first time with its mobile petting zoo. Attendees also enjoyed food trucks, Italian ice, face painting, and the Gregory Poole CAT simulator trailer. 

Events such as Family Day serve as a valuable reminder of the importance of celebrating our team members and the families who support them. We are grateful to everyone who helped make the event a success and appreciated the opportunity to connect and spend time together outside the workplace. 

Here’s to family, fun, and building connections that extend beyond the jobsite!New article.

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Completed by Sanford Contractors’ Commercial Building Division, the state-of-the-art facility expands CCCC’s capacity to prepare students for careers in the region’s growing life sciences industry. The building provides hands-on learning opportunities in clean-room and laboratory environments designed to reflect the settings students will encounter in the workplace.

The Biotechnology Building is the first completed component of the broader Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center. The facility also includes the Kyowa Kirin Innovation Hub, a hybrid laboratory and classroom space dedicated during the ribbon-cutting event.

The celebration marked a significant transformation since project partners gathered for a ceremonial wall breaking at the site nearly one year earlier. Throughout construction, the Sanford Contractors team worked closely with CCCC and its project partners to deliver an advanced training environment that will support both students and area employers.

During the ceremony, SCI Assistant Project Manager Chase Marlowe received special recognition from CCCC for his excellence in managing the project.

Thank you to Central Carolina Community College for trusting Sanford Contractors with this impactful project. We are proud to have delivered a facility that will create new opportunities for CCCC students and support the evolving training needs of employers throughout the region.

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The new bridge will be just over 950 feet long and will consist of eight spans with 54-inch FIB girders. Preparing to build the structure required significant advance planning, including site preparation and material coordination. The project also requires the installation of more than 900 linear feet of temporary work bridge to provide construction access.

SCI’s Support Services Division has kept equipment and supplies moving to the site, making multiple trips each week since in-water work began. That support will continue over the next several months.

The current in-water work window runs through Feb. 15, 2027, and is designed to protect aquatic species, including Atlantic sturgeon. The team is on track to complete the new structure by or ahead of that deadline. The existing bridge will be removed in a second in-water season.

Reaching the in-water milestone on schedule reflects SCI’s ability to align planning, field operations, logistics, and resources across divisions to keep complex projects moving.

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At Ponder in Wendell, Sanford Contractors is supporting two phases totaling approximately 90 acres and 265 lots, with work on Phase 3 recently underway. The size of the project speaks to SCI’s capacity, but the day-to-day work depends just as much on close coordination and accountability.

Ponder also continues a relationship with Brookfield Residential, formerly Newland Communities, that spans more than 20 years. That history includes SCI’s site-development work across 1,500 acres at Wendell Falls, one of the Triangle’s largest mixed-use master-planned communities.

At Wendell Falls, SCI’s role grew as the community expanded and its needs changed. Early in Brookfield’s ownership, SCI worked with the owner and design team to evaluate existing infrastructure, support initial lot segmentation, and prepare for the first amenity site. Detailed budgeting, value engineering for rock excavation, and scheduling aligned with sales forecasts helped Brookfield make informed decisions and keep construction in step with the community’s larger plans.

That experience shapes the work at Ponder today. On a project of this size, phasing is about much more than dividing the acreage. Sitework, utilities, materials, inspections, and the work of other project partners all need to happen in the right sequence. Clear communication among the owner, design team, and field teams is what keeps that sequence on track.

For SCI, the move from Wendell Falls to Ponder represents more than a transition from one project to another. It builds on decades of experience supporting large-scale, multiphase residential development through responsive planning, technical expertise, and close attention to each project’s goals. The acreage and lot count demonstrate SCI’s capacity, while the work across both developments reflects Sanford Contractors’ approach to that scale: accountability from one phase, and one community, to the next.

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The 2026 Construction Academy welcomed its largest class to date, with 14 high school students from Lee and Harnett counties participating in the nine-week paid pre-apprenticeship program. Students began the summer with orientation, safety training, and an introduction to Sanford Contractors before joining project teams across the company.

Working alongside experienced team members, students built practical skills, explored a variety of construction careers, and earned college credit through Central Carolina Community College. Each participant was paired with a dedicated mentor who provided guidance, encouragement, and support throughout the duration of the program.

Sanford Contractors also welcomed seven college interns who spent the summer contributing to projects across the company. Through project assignments, interns had a chance to connect what they’ve learned in school to real-world responsibilities while developing skills in communication, planning, teamwork, and problem-solving. Visits to additional Sanford Contractors jobsites gave them a broader understanding of the company’s divisions, project types, and various career paths within the construction industry.

As both summer programs come to a close, students, mentors, families, and the Sanford Contractors team are preparing to celebrate this year’s participants and all they have accomplished throughout the summer. Sanford Contractors is proud of the commitment each student demonstrated and grateful to the mentors and project teams who invested their time and experience to help them succeed.

The Construction Academy and College Internship Programs reflect Sanford Contractors’ commitment to developing the next generation of construction professionals. Through hands-on learning, meaningful mentorship, and exposure to active projects, students gain valuable experience while discovering where a career in construction can take them.

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When David joined Sanford Contractors in 1993, he was given the opportunity to build the Utility Division from the ground up. Over the next three decades, he grew it into one of the company’s core divisions, completing hundreds of utility projects, building lasting relationships with owners and partners, and developing a team prepared to carry the division forward.

As David prepares for retirement, we asked him to reflect on the career, people, and lessons that have meant the most to him.

What first brought you to Sanford Contractors 33 years ago?

I worked alongside Sanford Contractors on projects for several years before joining the company. When the opportunity came to build the Utility Division, it felt like the right next step. The chance to build something from the ground up was exciting.

What were some of the biggest challenges in getting the Utility Division off the ground?

We were starting from scratch, and building the team was the biggest challenge. I remember bidding one of our first major utility projects for the City of Sanford before we even had a crew in place. We took a chance, hired good people, and kept growing from there. Over time, we expanded from a couple of crews into a division completing complex projects across the region.

Looking back, what accomplishments are you most proud of?

I’m proud of everything the Utility Division has accomplished, but the relationships we’ve built stand out most. Some of our clients have been with us since the early days of the division, and I think that says a lot about how we’ve always done business.

On a personal level, I’m grateful I was able to build a career doing something I genuinely enjoyed. My dad was a construction superintendent, and watching him go to work every day showed me early on what I wanted to do. I’m fortunate to say I enjoyed going to work every day.

Is there a project you’ll never forget?

The utility improvements around the Market House in downtown Fayetteville always stand out. It was one of our first major design-build utility projects and among the most technically challenging.

Because the area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, every detail mattered. We documented nearby buildings before construction, monitored vibration throughout the project, and used vacuum excavation in many areas to protect existing infrastructure before bringing in heavier equipment. It required careful planning, patience, and teamwork, and it showed what our crews could do when quality and attention to detail mattered most.

How has the company changed the most since you started? What has stayed the same?

Technology has changed nearly everything, from how we estimate work to the equipment we use in the field.

What hasn’t changed are the company’s values. We’ve always focused on building quality projects, taking care of our clients, and building lasting relationships. That was true when I started, and it remains true today.

You’ve mentored many younger employees throughout your career. Why has that always been important to you?

Early in my career, a superintendent took me under his wing. I still remember a piece of advice he gave me: “You’ll be okay if you remember we don’t install pipe with an airplane.”

He was reminding me to slow down, take my time, and do things the right way. That lesson stuck with me, and I’ve always believed it’s important to pass those lessons on. Someone invested in me early in my career, and I’ve tried to do the same for the next generation.

Watching people grow into leaders has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. If I could leave younger employees with one piece of advice, it would be this: do your best, take responsibility for your actions, and always be honest. Everyone makes mistakes. If you’re honest about them, we can work through them together. Trying to cover something up only makes it worse.

Looking at today’s Utility Division, what gives you confidence about its future?

We have good people in place. They are capable, committed to quality work, and have grown into strong leaders. Our leaders and teams know how to keep jobs moving, mentor the next generation, and take care of our clients. That gives me confidence that the Utility Division is in good hands.

Once you’ve retired, what do you hope your teammates remember most about you?

I hope they remember that I was fair and always had their best interests at heart. My responsibility was making sure our people always had work and the support they needed to succeed. I enjoyed that responsibility, and letting go of the reins has probably been the hardest part of preparing to retire.

What are you looking forward to most in retirement?

I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and making more trips to the mountains. My wife and I have always enjoyed spending time around Blowing Rock and Boone, and we’ll have more opportunities to do that now.

When you look back on 33 years with Sanford Contractors, how would you define a successful career?

Being proud of the work we’ve done, knowing we took care of our clients, providing for my family, and seeing the people around me succeed. I think that’s what makes a career successful.

For 33 years, David’s leadership helped shape not only the Utility Division, but also the people within it. Through his commitment to quality, accountability, and mentorship, he built a division defined by strong relationships and a culture that will continue long after his retirement. We cannot thank David enough for his dedicated service and wish him and his family all the best in his next chapter.

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Since joining Sanford Contractors four years ago as the company’s Safety Coordinator, Aaron has helped strengthen the company’s safety program through training, mentorship, and collaboration across every division. Drawing on leadership experience gained during 12 years in the U.S. Army and later as an educator, he believes the strongest safety cultures are built by developing people and empowering them to make good decisions.

“The military taught me that leadership is about helping people, not just being in charge,” Aaron said. “I’ve carried that with me throughout my career.”

That philosophy continues to guide his approach today. Rather than simply enforcing standards, Aaron sees himself as a resource for crews, helping field leaders solve problems, answer questions, and make informed decisions.

“Safety is proactive, not reactive,” Aaron said. “Planning ahead and having those conversations doesn’t slow the work down. It helps us do the job the right way.”

Aaron believes Sanford Contractors’ strong safety culture starts with people who take ownership every day. “Our culture is to look out for each other,” he said. “Safety isn’t one person’s responsibility. It’s something every member of our team contributes to.”

In addition to supporting project teams across the company, Aaron leads the Safety Committee and Risk Management Group while overseeing companywide safety training and education. He believes safety management is constantly evolving, making continuous learning and improvement essential for both individuals and the organization.

Outside of work, Aaron enjoys reading, exercising, target shooting, and spending time with his family.

For Aaron, the most rewarding part of his role is simple: “I try to learn something new and help someone every single day.”

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Central Carolina Community College, Lee County Schools, Western Harnett High School, Grace Christian, Ascend Leadership Academy, Central Carolina Academy, ApprenticeshipNC, and Carolinas AGC for their partnership. Their continued support has helped connect students with real-world career opportunities while building a stronger pipeline of future construction professionals.

This recognition reflects a shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students and strengthening the future workforce in our communities.

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Training sessions and safety discussions were held across multiple divisions throughout the week, reinforcing the importance of preparation, accountability, and ongoing communication on all active jobsites. Daily jobsite huddles also included additional reminders and conversations centered around the special topic of fall protection and related safe work practices.

Sanford Contractors appreciates the support of industry and community partners who helped lead this year’s training efforts, including Sunstate Equipment’s Trench Safety Division, Travelers Insurance, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Certified Safety Experts.

Construction Safety Week serves as an annual opportunity for companies across the industry to reinforce the habits and responsibilities that support safe operations year-round. At Sanford Contractors, safety remains a shared responsibility and a daily commitment across every jobsite.

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