Tribute to 35 years

Last Saturday evening, March 31, Lois, Mike, Kristen Andy, and I attended an annual banquet for Weitz Construction to honor Leroy and his 35 years of service to the company. The following was tribute to Leroy was written and delivered by Mike Bontrager, President of Weitz Southwest Division.

“Leroy McLaren could not be with us this evening; however, his wife Lois and two of three sons, Andy and Mike are here tonight.

Leroy started with Midwest Concrete, a company Weitz owned. He transferred to Weitz in 1972.

Now Leroy is an estimator. Many have said, not just me, that he is the best there is. He worked for my dad from 1972 to 1980. My dad said I never saw someone take off on a job so fast with that kind of accuracy. And he talked the whole time. He quickly set himself apart as an expert.

Leroy moved to Phoenix in 1980 to help the Southwest Division. He was promoted to Chief Estimator in 1987, Vice President in 2000, and Senior Vice President in 2003. He also served as ASPE President and Vice President, and held a position on the ASPE national board of directors.

Leroy is a master of conceptual pricing. He can sit with a client, listen, look at a few napkin sketches, and price it within ten percent.

Back before computers, ten key calculators were used to sum up numbers. I realize I just lost three-fourths of the audience! Imagine bid day without a computer. Leroy was so fast on a ten key that he wore several of them out. Smoke would come out of them, due to his quick hand.

It is hard to count all the contributions Leroy has made in his thirty-five years, but here are a few:
He epitomized our core values.
His total commitment to add value to our clients
His respect for sub-contractors
If he heard someone was abusing a sub-contractor, you would hear about it.
He developed the estimating systems tools, policies for not just the Southwest Division, but for the entire company.
He was integral in growing the Southwest Division from a start-up operations to a major general contractor.
He is a teacher, helping many to learn the trade.
He is a continuous learner. Most people of his generation can do without computers, yet Leroy is an expert on a computer.
His memory for numbers is astonishing. I can go into his office and ask him the price range for almost anything and he could tell me the answer off the top of his head.

During project interviews, he tells clients how he remembers my high school graduation. He actually is the one who had to remind my father it was time to leave for the ceremony. I would counter that by saying the company is 150 years old and Leroy has been here since day one.

I really admire Leroy and I know I am not alone. He is the nicest person I know. I learned a lot working with him for twenty-two years.

I propose a toast. Please raise your glasses. Thank you Leroy for thirty-five years and all the memories…”

Although it was difficult to look at the picture that showed while Mike read Leroy’s tribute, it was wonderful to hear about Leroy from a work perspective. It is obvious the impact Leroy has made on the Weitz Construction Company and the people who work there. Thank you Mike for a great evening and for such a touching tribute to Leroy’s thirty-five years of service.