A strong bond: Two friends form new construction company

A bond between two young men begun as friends in high school drafting class and deepened while working together has led to a partnership in an up-and-coming contracting business.

Today, Drew Pilkington and Jerry LoCoco consider themselves and their business the "next generation," carrying on the legacy from Pilkington's parents and uncles in the construction industry.

They related how even as high school friends they dreamed of having their own company. They got that opportunity when Pilkington's parents, Jim and Cathy, decided they wanted to retire as owners of Pilkington Construction.

"Mom and Dad sat us down and said they wanted to retire but they felt Pilkington Construction was too big for us," Pilkington recalled. In the end, Pilkington's Uncle Leo took over the business and the younger Pilkington and LoCoco started their own business, LoCoco-Pilkington Construction, in 2007.

"The idea was that we wouldn't be handed a company on a silver platter," Pilkington said.

It wasn't easy at first, they said. "We had to market ourselves because of our age (LoCoco is now 30 and Pilkington 28)."

But they finished their first job, constructing a new 6,000-square-foot Head Start classroom for Chicanos por la Causa, under budget, a month ahead of schedule and with no change orders.

"At the beginning we had to to fight for project," LoCoco said. "Now, because of our reputation for being fair and honest, owners are starting to call us."

Their most important job to date was construction of the hangar at Yuma International Airport that now is leased by NASA, LoCoco said. "That proved we could do the tough jobs."

But then, even at their young ages, they had plenty of experience. After completing college at Arizona State University and working for a time in the Phoenix area until they grew tired of the commute, they went to work for Pilkington Construction. There, they worked on such high profile jobs as Las Palmillas Shopping Center, ALSCO and the new University of Arizona Yuma Agriculture Center facility.

"We already had worked together so much," Pilkington said.

And not only did they learn on the job but also talking shop around the dinner table every evening, LoCoco added, crediting Pilkington's parents and Uncle Chris and Bruce Riggins with much of what they know today. That legacy continues as the senior Pilkingtons continue to mentor the young partners, helping with the office and providing a sounding board.

LoCoco and Pilkington see themselves as complementing each other in the business. Pilkington is the "gas" - a get it done kind of guy with an aggressive schedule. LoCoco is the "brakes" - the methodical partner who likes to analyze and think through things.

"But we have the same goals," Pilkington said. "We know the route to success. There's nothing more viable than two minds looking at something. And Mom and Dad act as consultants. We can call on them to help with decisions."

Besides, they see themselves not just as business partners and friends but also as family. LoCoco is godfather to Pilkington's daughter and Pilkington calls LoCoco his brother.

That Pilkington would go into construction was almost a given. He was born in Casper, Wyo., where his parents had a custom homebuilding company. When the downturn in the housing industry hit, the family moved to Yuma where they eventually started Pilkington Construction. Most of the younger Pilkington's uncles also are in construction.

One of LoCoco's few memories of his birth father, who died when he was 5, was visiting a construction site in Sierra Vista where his father was operating a back hoe and who let his son "help" during lunch break. A defining moment for him in school was the drafting class taught by Joe Schiele, where he met Pilkington and wrangled a job with his father.

"The summer of 1997, I worked for Jim (Pilkington) and learned what hard work is all about," LoCoco said.

He learned other lessons as well, like humility, empathy for workers and clients, being the best at whatever you do from running a business to being a member of the community, and, most important, family comes first.

The partners can even see the blessing in starting their construction business during the Great Recession.

"We have learned how to manage and operate a business in an economic downturn and have implemented systems that will allow LPC to be successful when the economy recovers," Pilkington said.

Drew Pilkington

Position: President of LoCoco-Pilkington Construction
Age: 28
Education: Bachelor's degree at Arizona State University
Family: Daughter Mckenzie (single father) and parents Jim and Cathy Pilkington
Professional experience: 15 years of commercial construction
What you like most about your job: Doing something that I love. All my life I've wanted to carry on the family legacy of commercial construction in this great community.
Civic involvement: Rotary
What you enjoy doing in your spare time: Being with my family and raising my precious little girl; golfing with friends; riding my Harley Davidson
Your favorite vacation: Being with family
If you could have another job what would you like to be: Nothing. God put me on this planet to build buildings. Construction is in my blood - I was born to be a contractor
Career advice: Hard work, dedication, tenacity and empathy; never give up.

Jerry LoCoco

Position: Vice president of LoCoco-Pilkington Construction
Age: 30
Education: Bachelor's degree in housing and urban development in 2003 from Arizona State University
Family: Fiancee Denelle Peach; parents the Pilkingtons, Sumners and Nixens. "I'm excited about starting my own family with my finance."
Professional experience: 15 years of commercial and residential construction experience
What you like most about your job: I learn something new every day.
Civic involvement: Board member of Yuma Southwest Contractors Association; member of Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
What you enjoy doing in your spare time: Spending time with Denelle, golfing
Your favorite vacation: Costa Rica
If you could have another job what would you like to be: I would love to be the guy on the Travel Channel who is paid to visit new places each week.
Career advice: Find a career that you love. "Find something you enjoy and it's not work."

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Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.