ROCHESTER, N.Y., August 13, 2014 – 2014 marks the 70th anniversary of LeChase Construction Services, LLC, a privately owned, full-service construction management and general construction firm. In celebration, the firm hosted a ribbon-cutting event at 3 p.m. today at its new corporate headquarters located at 205 Indigo Creek Drive in Rochester, N.Y.
Founded in 1944 by the late Raymond F. LeChase, the business began humbly as a small “mom and pop” operation to fill the demand for local construction work during World War II. The early days were modest, with Raymond personally driving workers to and from job sites while his wife Rachel handled payroll and accounting. The company’s first major project was for Kanty Paper Company in Rochester, N.Y., with a $90,000 contract to build a production center on Carter Street.
Raymond was a true visionary in the Rochester community. He took enormous pride in staying personally connected to the business and the industry, and made it a priority to build trusting partnerships and a climate of mutual respect with his clients, employees and vendors. This has become a signature characteristic of LeChase Construction that continues today and is embodied by all members of its current leadership team.
Raymond’s son, Wayne, joined the firm in 1981 and proved to be an invaluable asset to foster progressive leadership and continuous growth for LeChase. Under Wayne’s direction, the firm saw a ninefold increase in volume during the ‘80s, including the first project outside of Monroe County—a $26.5 million medium-security correctional facility in Marcy, N.Y.
Growth outside of Monroe County was essential to maintain the company’s solid team of employees and tradespeople, and so began the thoughtful expansion into other markets throughout the East Coast, which today includes Schenectady, Binghamton, Buffalo, Corning, Ithaca and Syracuse, N.Y.; Mansfield, Pa.; and Charlotte and Durham, N.C.
After the surge of growth in the ‘80s, Wayne thought it was prudent to expand the family-run leadership structure to include a trusted team of proven internal partners to manage LeChase. In 2002, Bill Goodrich was appointed as president and chief operating officer. Five years later, Wayne became managing partner and Bill became president and chief executive officer—a role he continues in today. Wayne currently serves as chairman and the
firm’s executive management team now includes 10 partners, as well as other key senior leaders.
The company’s greatest asset has always been its employees. LeChase believes strongly in creating a culture of success by recognizing and rewarding the dedication, talents, loyalty and hard work of its people at all levels of the company. Doing so has provided the motivation and encouragement necessary to create a steady momentum of sustainable growth over the past seven decades.
In late 2013, LeChase completed construction on its new corporate headquarters—a stateof-the-art building designed to bring all of LeChase’s area employees together in one highly collaborative environment, with ample room to expand training facilities, foster teamwork and accommodate continued growth.
Raymond LeChase built the company on family and a strong set of moral values that have carried on since day one. The company motto of “Do the Right Thing” is embedded into everything LeChase does—both within and outside of its own operations. LeChase and its people share a personal responsibility to enhance the quality of life in the communities where they live and work, and generously invest their time, talents and resources to do so.
Through world-class workmanship, a commitment to exceed customers’ expectations and a track record of positive, long-term partnerships with customers, employees and the community, LeChase has emerged over the past 70 years as one of the largest and most respected construction firms in the greater Rochester area, and throughout the East Coast. Today, LeChase employs more than 700 people and has maintained a continuous momentum of steady growth, despite ongoing fluctuations in the economy. Over the last several years, annual revenues for LeChase revenues were $700 million, with an extensive portfolio of signature construction projects across a variety of industries.
LeChase continues to grow and expand in its core markets, which include health care; education; industrial and manufacturing; science and technology; commercial; and multi-unit housing.
“As we look to the future, LeChase remains nimble and ready to embrace and lead change for the next generation of construction professionals,” says William H. Goodrich. “We are extremely proud of our 70-year heritage and committed to investing in our people, as well as the tools and technology necessary, to continue to build trusted partnerships that result in mutually rewarding construction projects that exceed client expectations every step of the way.”
For more information regarding the history of LeChase Construction, read more here.
