Thursday, February 4, 2016

Lancaster County construction firm changes name, leadership



After more than 80 years in business, a Lancaster County company opened today with a new name and a new leader.

Paul Risk Associates Inc. will now operate as Paul Risk Construction, while Donald J. "DJ" Risk will take his father’s place as president of the company.


Former president Steven P. Risk is now chairman of the board.

The change in leadership has been a long time coming, as it is part of the succession planning for Steven Risk’s upcoming retirement.

“He’ll still be in the area and heavily involved in the business at least three more years, so it’s kind of a nice transition period to put me in the president role,” DJ Risk said.

Steven Risk became president of the family-owned construction company in 1995 after his father, Paul D. Risk, retired. As chairman of the board, Risk will continue to work with clients during the early stages of design and development.

His son, DJ Risk, worked in the family business as a field laborer during high school and between semesters at college.

DJ Risk has a bachelor’s degree in independent studies from Arizona State University, where he focused on business administration, urban planning and construction management.

After graduation, he worked as project manager and technology adviser at Risk. In 2011, he was promoted to vice president and project executive.

DJ Risk represents the fourth generation to lead the family construction business, which has been considering a name change for quite a few years. Known previously as Risk Associates, people would often confuse it for an insurance company.

“We really wanted to align what we do with our name. We love construction. We love building things,” Risk said. “When you introduce yourself as 'Associates,' people didn’t know what we do.”

Founded in 1932 in the southern end of Lancaster County, the company serves a niche in senior living projects.

Last week it was awarded a project at Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honey Brook Township, Chester County, where it will break ground in September.

Senior living makes up 60 percent to 70 percent of the company’s business, according to Risk.

No comments:

Post a Comment