DETROIT, MI Michigan-based contractor Barton Malow Company recently named longtime employee Chuck Binkowski to head its construction operations efforts. As part of the company's at-large organization restructuring, he'll aim to continue the company's unprecedented growth, which has doubled in size over the past five years.

As Chief Operating Officer, Binkowski wants to use the structure and tools in place to further flesh out the company's commitment to consistency. According to him, this is especially vital as the company nears its goal to double its overall efficiency by 2024. "We want to be the builder of choice for our clients," said Binkowski.

A Veteran of the Trades

As a 37-year veteran of Barton Malow, Binkowski is no stranger to the business. The born and raised local believes his trajectory from a teenager working at Jones and Laughlin Steel on the corner of 8 Mile and Mound to the person in charge of an entire organization is due the empowerment and integrity he grew up with and the lessons he learned from his father who spent more than 40 years with Barton Malow.

Coming from a construction family, Binkowski spent much of his early years in the trades sharpening his skills. That boots-on-the-ground mentality has served as a focal point in his professional success. "My entire career has been centered on the trades," says Binkowski. "There's nothing better than being on-site and seeing the work first-hand."

Throughout his time at Barton Malow, the new COO has trekked several paths. As a General Superintendent, he oversaw every phase of construction for a number of Barton Malow projects. As General Manager of the company's Oak Park location-internally known as "the yard"-Binkowski was responsible for concrete operations. He also served as Vice President responsible for Industrial and Energy work, and as Senior Vice President for the company's entire Central Region.

Setting the Foundation for Growth

His growth is undoubtedly due the self-motivation instilled in him as a young tradesman, but Binkowski also believes the ethos of Barton Malow has shaped his very essence. For him, the same values that have made Barton Malow a household name in the construction industry are the ones he feels have resonated with him throughout his life.

"The culture here has helped me grow both personally and professionally," said Binkowski. "Our core values, consistency and dedication to our word has given me a foundation to build relationships based on trust, respect and entrepreneurialism."