DIVERSE SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: Parker Construction

BY DANIEL LA MASTRA

With colder weather just around the corner, some areas are reminded of the brutality of winter storms, which can bring dangerous blankets of ice and snow with it. Although a bit of snow is not necessarily a bad thing, the real concern is severe weather and storms that do a devastating amount of destruction to people’s properties, businesses, and infrastructure.

These types of damages can be catastrophic, and unfortunately it can also be a common and unavoidable occurrence, especially during seasons of particularly bad weather. For a business owner, this can be a real concern. A recognized leader in the field of fire and water restoration, Parker Construction provides full-service construction capabilities to residential, commercial, industrial and government clients.

Michael Parker

Michael Parker, owner and founder, began his career as a carpenter in 1982 until starting Parker Construction in 1992. Over the course of nearly 30 years, Parker Construction has completed over 400 projects in the Delaware area. Projects include anything from a contract with the Wilmington Housing Authority, to work on HUD homes doing lead abatement, to doing residential property repairs.

To give back to the trade that launched his career, Parker teaches carpentry at Delaware Technical Community College through the innovation technology program. He also shares his knowledge and skills to members of his community—free of charge—including nonprofits and churches in the area.

According to Parker, “I give back because by me being in the business, I see the value of a skilled craftsman. I see that they are needed.” Parker also added that “not only does it replenish the skill trade for the next generation, but it’s a good feeling when you see other people around who are working in the trade and have been through the training.”

Parker believes that life-long learning is key to his success as a business owner. He recently took part in Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses program, which aims to help entrepreneurs and business owners create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education, capital, and business support services.

Parker says the Goldman Sachs program had a demonstrably positive effect on Parker Construction, helping him significantly grow his business. “The 10,000 Small Businesses program really emphasized effective business planning, which actually helped me to expand Parker Construction into other services, such as water mitigation.” He also explained that “with my revenues, they are projected to increase by at least 30 to 40 percent in the third quarter of 2021.”

With a variety of different services being offered, Parker Construction is by no means just a construction company. When there is a job to be done, they are more than ready to step up to the plate.