“In construction, there is nothing you can do by yourself,” he says. “I grew up playing team sports, and construction is the ultimate real-world experience of being part of a team.”

Tony Nelson’s dad was in the construction industry, so Tony grew up around job sites similar to Ames’ projects. As a college student, he originally pursued a design degree, but while working for a general contractor building houses one summer, he realized he liked being able to see what was built at the end of the day and made the switch to construction. “In construction, there is nothing you can do by yourself,” he says. “I grew up playing team sports, and construction is the ultimate real-world experience of being part of a team.”

After working in the industry for more than a decade, Tony was looking for a strong team and family culture when he joined Ames. “I wanted to be a part of a team that treated their people right, from the craft workers all the way to the top,” he says.

Tony and his significant other, Katelyn, have a two-and-a-half-year-old son who keeps them extremely busy. “We spend pretty much every weekend outside, taking the ATV out, or being at the river on the boat, or on the jet skis. We also have a little bit of a farm with horses, pigs, cows, and chickens, so that keeps us pretty busy outside of work.”

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

St. Andrews, Scotland

What sports teams or athletes do you cheer for?

Colorado Avalanche and Gonzaga Bulldogs

What is your favorite movie?

Happy Gilmore

What is a family tradition you look forward to each year?

Thanksgiving in Glamis, CA