From Protégé to Partner

“Our relationship with Seegert Construction is like a case study in why it is so important to seek out and engage with these growing firms,” said Drake Costa, business manager for the Northern California region, describing the veteran-owned small business’s trajectory from Turner mentee to valued Turner partner. “We first engaged them on a portfolio of small projects for a regional utility company, which is when we identified them as a company that shares our values – and a company with heart – and brought them on as a professional protegee.” 

Costa went on to say just how impressive it has been to watch them advance, completing the Turner School of Construction Management, expanding their network and their capacity, and implementing the processes, systems, and procedures of a much larger company. 

“I know our whole team admires Seegert’s dedication to their people and their clients, the care they take. It really sets them apart,” added Angela Lona, marketing manager. “And of course now they’re more than a mentee – particularly with their work at the New Natural Resources Headquarters, they’ve proved themselves as a strong partner to us.”

The firm’s responsibilities at the New Natural Resources Headquarters were diverse and included scopes of work in the food services area and an historic renovation and restoration of the Heilbron Mansion, as well as construction of daycare facilities on top of an existing building—a complex and challenging part of the job for which they developed a unique, modular solution.

“Realistically we wouldn’t be where we are as a company without some of the partnerships we’ve had whether that be with the clients or with other folks,” said Steven Seegert, the firm’s founder, referring to the ongoing mentor protegee relationship with Turner as a real differentiator – and one that will ultimately position him and his team to provide similar mentorship and support to other growing firms. “It has allowed us to expand much more quickly than other companies,” Seegert said. “I want to make sure that we get to the point where we can turn around and do this for someone else. That way we can pay it forward.”