SALT LAKE CITY -- A Weber County-born company, Big-D Construction, has placed itself in the national spotlight with its reputation for excellence.

 

And even in a down economy, Big-D has grown to the point that current annual revenue approaches $1 billion.

 

But unlike other companies who reach such heights, Big-D has not forgotten its roots and remains a major force in Ogden and Weber County.

 

"In everything we do, there's always sponsorship from Big-D," said Dave Hardman, president of the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce. "Whenever there is a project in the community, Big-D will donate materials, especially when it's for a not-for-profit agency."

 

Hardman said while the company headquarters has moved to Salt Lake City from Ogden to have more of a state and national presence, its top executives mostly remain Weber County residents.

 

But Weber County loyalties are marked by a board room at the Ogden-Weber Chamber that is named after the company's founder, the late Dee Livingood. Materials for its construction and decor were donated by Big-D.

 

Locally, Big-D's influence is felt through its work on both the construction of the new Brigham City temple and reconstruction of the Ogden temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

Recently, the company was awarded the contract for a new professional center to be built at the Weber State University Davis campus.

 

Also of note is the company's participation on the Utah Data Center being constructed in Lehi. The $1.2 billion project designed to provide for security of national computer data and websites will showcase numerous innovative technology and energy efficient features, according to project specifications.

 

"This is significant," Hardman said, describing the facility as an electronic fortress. "This is the largest single contract that has been let in Utah for years."

 

Livingood established Big-D in 1967.

 

Remembered as a man who was bigger than life when it came to his leadership style, work ethic, honesty, attention to detail and passion for quality, the company is noted for continuing that legacy today.

 

And many point to company President Rob Moore, a resident of North Ogden, for the vision that has allowed that to happen.

 

"Rob Moore is the fire that stokes our corporate furnace," states the company website. "It's a furnace that has grown from $2 million to nearly $1 billion in revenues since Rob joined the company in 1976."

 

Moore said the company has grown from 400 to 710 employees in the last year.

 

For the past 23 years, the company has been named one of the top 400 contractors by Engineering News Record.

 

Last month, the company received a 2011 Best of State Award in the category of commercial construction.

 

The Utah Best of State awards were judged on overall excellence, creativity and accomplishments, according to the program's organizers.

 

In March, the company received three excellence in construction awards and two safety awards from the Utah Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. Included in that list was one for the best institutional project over $10 million for the Westminster College Meldrum Science Center project.

 

Other 2011 awards the company has received include:

Utah business CFO of the year, Larry Worrell, who is CFP and senior vice president at Big-D.

No. 43 for Utah's top private companies by Utah Business Magazine.

 

Honors in 2010 include:

Utah Business CEO of the Year, Jack Livingood.

Utah Business Green Business Company Achievement Award.

 

Last year, the company's renovation of the historic O.C. Tanner Flagship Store, where the Salt Lake City Library now is located, was named one of the outstanding construction projects of the year by the Associated General Contractors of America.

 

As a result, the company was one of eight firms to receive the association's national Aon Build America Merit Award.

 

"Mastering projects like this is what distinguishes great contractors from their competition," said the association's president and CEO of Portland, Oregon-based Aadland Evans Constructors, Inc. at the time of the announcement.

 

The renovation required three stories and 20,000 square feet to be removed, rebuilt, repaired and refurbished.

 

Also last year, Moore was honored as the Ernst & Young Utah Region Construction and Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year.

 

"As President of one of the largest builders in the Western United States over the past 18 years, Rob's vision, determination, and goal implementation has driven company growth to more than 200 percent in the last five years, reaching nearly $700 million in 2008," read the public award announcement.

 

Sandy City last year named Big-D Construction as its community development contractor of the year for its work on the Alta View Specialty Center.

 

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