10/31/2024
Time to Say “Adios Amigos”
I started in the land development industry in September 1978 doing take-offs at Sukut Construction thanks to Greg Clayton, my mentor to be. I met Greg at Cal State Long Beach in my first class, CE471 Estimating, and he got me in at Sukut. After a couple years, I was able to get Mike Crawford to assume my position and I went to Lloyd Sukut Company along with Jim Swartz, another long-time mentor of mine.
After a couple more years, I join Terry Gillespie, Dick Terrell, Floyd Bennett and John Markel at CME/Gillespie. These guys shared a tremendous amount of DIRT knowledge with me. In May 1987, I joined back up with Greg Clayton and for 13 years we had Clayton Engineering, Inc. I am forever grateful for Mr. Clayton.
After a little battle with the Irvine Company, I joined up with Marji and Paul at the Moote Group in October 2000 and spent 12 years with them, survived the ’08 disaster and made it until July 2012. Grateful for Paul Sr. for allowing me to step into his “size 13 shoes.”
At that point I incorporated DIRTONU, Inc. and started with 3 employees, the first being Erica Passavanti-Langham, and 3 consultants, Syl Egan, Jim Swartz and John Markel. In 2013, Tim Markel joined the team and in 2018, Greg Perrine joined us. We became an ESOP in 2022 and have grown to 11 divisions with 85 teammates. As of October 11, 2024, we are now Murow Development Consultants, a CREDE Company. We have been acquired by a fantastic nation-wide PM firm that allows me to say “farewell.”
I am forever grateful for Tim, Greg, and all the employees, consultants and teammates that put their time, energy and lifeblood into the success of our company.
I want to thank all our friends and clients over the years who believed in me and what I stood for; truth, integrity, excellence, respect, service and family; and, supported our culture of “caring and giving while having FUN.”
I especially want to thank the BIASC for making me a “lifetime member” and giving me “Legend” status to be celebrated Nov. 2nd at the BIAOC Installation at the Balboa Bay Club.
I will continue my work at Goals for Life, HomeAidOC, Project Hope Alliance, Olive Crest, Love Our Schools, and supporting the Costa Mesa and OC communities. I will also continue to provide expert witness and litigation support through CREDE.
Lastly, my wife Jeanne, thank you for supporting and believing in me for 48 years. “Adios Amigos.”
