🔒#1 Large Company Category: Consigli Construction Co.

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Consigli Construction Co. is a fourth-generation, family owned business that's been able to survive since 1905 by focusing on community, a supportive professional development structure and a constant eye towards growth.

Throughout the years, Consigli, which has an office in Hartford and provides construction management and general contractor services throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, has prioritized both the professional and personal lives of its employees by implementing employer-sponsored training, tuition reimbursement and education through its Consigli Construction University.

“Everyone at the company has been through CCU,” says pre-construction manager Josh Sylvester. “We train at remote locations and participants go through eight focused sessions covering topics like project management, accounting, pre-construction, etc.”

In addition, company leadership makes itself available for employees looking to take steps toward reaching personal career goals.

“Matthew and Anthony are always accessible, always available. They have an open-door policy,” Sylvester says of the Consigli brothers. “Career goals are openly discussed and that comes from the top down.”

“Career development is huge,” added Wael Saad, a superintendent with the company. “There are lots of opportunities to grow and move up the ranks. The question is, how much do you want to be involved?”

In addition to developing its staff, Consigli puts a big emphasis on community involvement and giving back.

“That is what I've been most impressed with in my time here. Whether it's working at the Sandwich Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Women's Build or Camp Courant, we see ourselves not just as employees, but as part of the community,” says Sylvester. “We're not just people who come to work downtown and then leave. We believe giving back to our community is important.”

For Sylvester, one such community effort was personal. A camp counselor at Camp Courant during his college years, he brought the organization to the attention of Consigli's leaders, who immediately connected with the camp's mission to provide free summer camp programs for Hartford children ages five to 12.

Last year, the company donated $12,000 to the camp from the Consigli Foundation, as well as countless hours of pro-bono work and labor.

“We're heavily involved in the camp, consulting on pre-construction, yearly maintenance, capital project planning, project budgets and more,” says Sylvester. “They hold about four or five big events a year too, and we attend them all.”

Another community project that hit close to home was Consigli's role handling construction management for the new Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Matthew Consigli was quoted as saying he was humbled by his company's selection to work on the new school, which replaced the building where the Sandy Hook tragedy took place in 2012. The new school includes protected courtyard areas and special “treehouse” spaces for the children.

Focusing within the company, Consigli leadership also encourages employee rewards through initiatives such as the SPOT peer recognition program. By “spotting” a coworker, anyone can highlight those who have demonstrated Consigli's core values by going above and beyond and exceeding expectations.

“It can be something simple like putting in extra hours to cover for a co-worker who's sick, or showing extra effort or enthusiasm,” says Sylvester. “This is the chance to tell the whole story from beginning to end — what the situation was, what the person did, how it helped. It's always a good feeling to give props when someone deserves it.”

Saad says spot announcements are on the company website so all workers can acknowledge them as well.

“Nothing goes unnoticed here, and that's important. We know that our coworkers don't just do their jobs and go home.”

Saad says company-sponsored conferences give employees at every level a direct line to Consigli leadership.

“Anthony and Matthew speak and then allow time to take questions. When anybody stands up, they know your name,” he says. “I don't know how they do it — some are brand new employees. It's how you know you're part of a family here.” 

Read about the other Best Places to Work in CT 2017 winners.