FOLLOWING AN ETHICAL EXAMPLE Photos Daniel Quat Prop Stylist Antonia Quast
D
oug Cox, owner of Advantage Construction and Closet Systems, has worked in construction for more than 32 years and has been a contractor for 16. He is also a triathelete and a Santa Fe community college student. Throughout his endeavors, he is guided by his mother’s ethical example of hard and honest work. As he explains it: “My work ethic developed as a young boy quite by accident! I learned from watching my mother’s response to an unfortunate incident that happened in the summer of 1964 when she purchased an airstream travel trailer. Our plan was to travel throughout the United States.
We were entering the mountains in Flagstaff, Arizona as the sun was setting behind San Francisco Peak. As shadows darkened the road, my mother didn’t notice the large tire tread lying in the middle of her lane. It wrapped around the rear axle. Within seconds the trailer and car swayed violently, spun out of control and rolled down a 30 ft. embankment. The trailer was totaled but we were able to have it towed and parked in a lot next to our mobile home. Luckily, the car was relatively unscathed and so were we.
and interior paneling, electrical wiring and plumbing, she dismantled the trailer down to the steel floor frame. She worked from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and sometimes for seven days straight. Mother’s perseverance, her strong work ethic and genius accomplished what many would think impossible for a widowed mother raising a hyperactive child in the 1960s. We celebrated her amazing accomplishment as we set our course for the Grand Canyon exactly two years later to the very day.
“Mom spent three months researching and acquiring the information needed to dismantle and rebuild the trailer on her own. After removing the cabinetry
“The biggest challenge we face as home remodelers is leaving our customers delighted with the end product and happy to refer our company. I compare PHOTO ABOVE Owner Doug Cox, Jonelle Maison and Molly the dog
this start-to-finish process to running a marathon. A lot can happen between mile one and mile 26. “That every customer loves what we do for them is my personal and professional priority. Thirty-two years of home remodeling experience has taught me that listening carefully ensures a defined understanding of what our customers want. “Home remodeling can be invasive and somewhat arduous. By working closely with our homeowners, a long remodeling process is less demanding and more positive and exciting. “I’m thrilled anytime an opportunity arises to brainstorm with the homeowners, my superintendent, Manny Atencio, and subcontractors to resolve complicated issues. When everyone contributes,
we can create a perfect solution to any problem.” The pictures in this article revealing the room addition for Jonelle and Laird and the library created for Edie and Mark reflect the work ethic Doug learned from his mother. These projects had challenges and what Doug likes to call “X-factors” to work through. By working closely with his clients, Doug, Manny and his crew created a beautiful, customized space the owners love and will enjoy for years to come. Doug notes all of his workmanship carries a lifetime warranty. Advantage Construction and Closet Systems 4170 Blue Spruce Dr. 505.471.1316 www.advconstnm.com