Clark Construction Inc. Recognized as Groundbreaker Award Winner in Two Categories. Honored in Project Excellence and Groundbreaker of the Year
Clark Construction Inc. announced that it has been honored as a recipient of Procore’s 2023 Groundbreaker Awards in two categories. The first award was for Project Excellence for the reHOME sustainable community building project. The second came in the form of individual recognition for Clark CEO, Casey French, who was honored as 2023 Groundbreaker of the Year. Procore Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of construction management software. The Groundbreaker Awards celebrate the companies, projects and individuals that drive excellence across the construction industry. This recognition further solidifies Clark Construction’s position as a trailblazer and industry leader in the construction world.
WINNING CATEGORY: General Contractor Project Excellence for the reHOME Project
Clark Construction Inc. recently completed two projects that had a unique symbiotic relationship. Clark won a lump sum public bid to renovate a medical clinic into a police station and municipal court. The timing was impeccable, as it coincided with the launch of a community partnership to build a series of tiny homes called reHOME, using repurposed materials and volunteers. Clark selectively demolished the medical clinic and was able to repurpose many items for the reHOME project, diverting more than 26,000 lbs of building materials from the landfill. This collaborative project made a positive impact on the community, providing affordable housing for local farm workers.
The Project Excellence award celebrates “project excellence by a General/Main/Head Contractor on projects including (but not limited to) commercial, education, healthcare, government, or residential”.
Procore had this to add about why the reHOME project was selected as the winner for this national award:
Sometimes, it’s not the biggest project that has the most significant impact. For Clark Construction Inc (CCI), contributions to a special project for their local community has set a precedent for sustainability, reducing construction waste and providing affordable housing.
On Bainbridge Island, the Morales Farm wanted to be able to cost-effectively house local farm workers and interns. The result was CCI partnering with skilled trades and the community to create three tiny homes that were made out of repurposed construction materials. The mission of this project was to demonstrate that through thoughtful design and materials sourcing, construction waste can be reduced and affordable housing for the community can be attained.
More about reHOME here.
WINNING CATEGORY: 2023 Groundbreaker of the Year, Casey French
Casey French got his start in the trades prior to founding two construction companies of his own. As a business owner, he continued to work in the field alongside his teams. Joining Clark in 2014, French held a variety of positions within the company, including superintendent and general manager. He stepped into the role of CEO in 2022. French is devoted to innovative and sustainable construction, showcased by projects like The Loom House — the first residential renovation in the world to receive the Living Building Challenge certification. French is passionate about building the culture of Clark, made up of nearly 50% women, minorities and underrepresented groups. His collaborative approach encourages his team to reach their potential.
More about Loom House here.
The Groundbreaker of the Year award honors individuals “who embody professional performance and whose dedication to progress exemplifies the highest standards of our industry”.
Procore’s Head of Construction Education Kassy Slaughter, had this to say about Clark CEO, Casey French:
Taking the helm of a female-founded, employee-owned company and after coming up in the trades and holding a variety of positions, Casey French understood the importance of creating an environment that honors the contributions of both the field and the office. As CCI self-performs certain functions of the business, French doesn’t let the hard work on every jobsite go unnoticed.
French also champions digital transformation, crediting technology for being a key part of CCI’s growth and success, and also framing CCI as an attractive place to work for tech-savvy young talent looking to break into construction.
“We are honored and humbled to be recognized at a national level for the good work we’re doing with innovative and sustainability building methods. This is just one way we can give back to our local community.” said Ashley Oaksmith, Development Manager for Clark.
Procore selected 27 companies, projects and individuals as finalists for their groundbreaking achievements. Winners of the Groundbreaker Awards were announced in-person over the course of Groundbreak, Procore’s annual user conference. Morris, along with Procore’s Chief Marketing Officer, Sarah Hodges, presented the nine awards to the winners.
“The Groundbreaker Awards celebrate our esteemed customers who relentlessly shape and uplift our industry each and every day,” said Tooey Courtemanche, the President, Founder, and CEO of Procore. “Congratulations to Clark Construction for their outstanding contributions, paving the way for innovation, progress and a brighter future in our field.”
To learn more about the 2023 Groundbreaker Awards finalists and winners, please click here.
