By Brian Hoover, Editor
Willcorp Engineering – Built on the Back of Big Dreams, Hard Work and Determination SOMETIMES IT TAKES A DREAMER Some people are willing to roll the dice, while others prefer stability by sticking with the safe bet. Dreamers see what others deem impossible and reach for it anyway. The dreamer is a risk-taker by nature that some say are not grounded in reality. Their reality is grounded in an abundance of hope and fueled by an innate ability to adapt and learn from every success and failure. They are driven by passion and seem to operate and live by more of what is possible and less of what is comfortable. Chris Williamson is a dreamer and has also been known to be a risk-taker. However, he will tell you that it is all grounded in realism and based on what can be accomplished through a solid plan and hard work. Chris comes from a family that had traditionally preferred the more consistent yet still rewarding route. Nearly his entire family has worked for Familian Pipe & Supply out of Los Angeles at one time or another. 18
His grandfather worked for them, as did his brother, while his uncle put in 46 years and his father just shy of 50 years with the company. Chris also worked for Familian during summers and breaks from school but always had his sights set on becoming a firefighter. After high school, Chris attended his local college to pursue a degree in Fire Science. He spent two years as a volunteer with Local CDF Station 36 in Desert Hot Springs. He seemed to have his future figured out until getting burned in a fuel fire accident while riding motorcycles out in the desert. That experience changed the trajectory of his dreams to where he decided to pursue his other passion, heavy construction machinery. “I am not sure why I have always loved heavy construction equipment, but it is a passion that goes back to when I was a kid,” says Williamson. “I started with Kuykendall Construction in Palm Desert, where I served as a laborer, working with a pick and shovel on storm drain jobs. I did whatever I
GRAD IN G & EXCAVATI NG / 2 0 2 0
Above: Chris Williamson, CEO/President. Top L-R: Evan Bradley, Foreman, Chris Williamson and Silvano Ordonez, Foreman, Willcorp Engineering.
could to help out around the job site while keeping an envious eye on the operators and heavy machinery.” Williamson quickly worked his way up through the years to bigger and better roles, and before long, he was operating equipment. He moved on to work as an operator for Dennis Poe at Poe’s Grading and Excavation in Indio and Demo Unlimited in La Quinta. Eventually, Chris landed a job working for Mark and Leslie Collins at American Backhoe & Bobcat Services out of Vista. “I learned even more about this business while working for Mark and Leslie Collins,” says Williamson. “I am indebted to all of the companies C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M
