A new company name. A new brand. A new team of leaders. After 30 years, still – and always – a family business. Historically known as an industrial new-build firm, Renaissance Construction – formerly Renaissance Companies – is rebranding and shifting its focus to encompass business on both ends, new-build and tenant improvements, among several market types, to support its overall strategy.
Founded in 1991, Renaissance Construction is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. The next chapter in the company’s story transcends the brand itself, further cementing its influence on the industry at large.
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When Jill Porter took over the company as Chairwoman of the Board after the passing of her husband Craig Porter in 2020, Renaissance became the largest female-owned construction company in Arizona, a major differentiator for the organization and a milestone for the Southwest construction community.
“The reason Renaissance Construction is still going strong after 30 years in a highly transactional, rapid turnover industry? We are built on a strong foundation,” she said.
Renaissance has become the gold standard in the Arizona construction industry and continues to build its reputation for doing things differently. The new brand is a representation of just that – it’s different.
“The new brand is refined, sophisticated and innovative – just like our team and our approach to how we build. This new brand pays homage to the pillar in past logos while putting a modern twist on it,” said Ali Brooks, Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Process Improvement. “It’s truly symbolic to the meaning of the Renaissance being ‘the revival’ as we look to start a new chapter with new leadership and the next generation.
“By rebranding we pay tribute to the past 30 years and celebrate what is to come. We have hit pause and have taken the time to reflect on what is important to us as a company, strategically realign our goals to fit our vision and reposition ourselves within the industry. It’s an exciting time that is worthy of a new brand, while celebrating our team members who have been with us every step of the way,” Brooks said.
That includes people with the right intangibles, said Tyler Elmer, Executive Vice President, Construction. Creative thinkers. Problem solvers.
“It’s not about the position or the number. It’s not about the title; it’s about the person and how we can lead them to be and do their best each day while holding one another to that standard,” Elmer said. “As leaders, we encourage each team member to embrace new principles and implement them. This allows us to address an issue as a challenge versus a problem and promote our team member’s creativity to create a solution.
“Our leaders that come from the mindset know how to support our team members. Feel empowered and come to the table with problems. Leaders working together with each department will always produce excellent results,” Elmer added.
Renaissance Construction is growing its team by consistently recruiting and retaining top-tier talent: both in corporate support team members such as new business and project managers as well as field team members such as superintendents and project engineers. It now boasts 60 dedicated employees, 20 percent of which are women and 45 percent of which are minorities.
Experience is abundant at Renaissance Construction. Among company employees, six industry professionals possess more than 20 years tenure with Renaissance, two team members possess more than 15 years with Renaissance and two team members have more than 10 years with Renaissance.
Renaissance Construction is redefining its pre-construction team to better serve existing and potential clients on the front end with constructability and technology services such as BIM and AutoCAD. This team will heavily support both business development and construction teams to ensure a smooth transition from bid to build.
With a new face at the helm, changes were made to the leadership team. It comprises Kelly McKenna, President; Don Miller, CFO; Chelsea Porter, Executive Vice President, Business Development; David Tilson, Frank De La Riva, and Raymond Zavalla, Vice Presidents, Business Development; David Mettler, Manager of Construction Technology; and Elmer and Brooks.
Historically, Renaissance Construction has been identified as a general contractor of massive industrial buildings and also tenant improvement on smaller projects. This is where the strategy is shifting. Elmer said Renaissance is more forward thinking, enabling it to anticipate the needs of its clients and become a more versatile construction company.
“We have to be able to handle the changing dynamics of the industry and take into account how the economy and supply and demand are affecting our clients,” Elmer said. “We are securing our foundation and redefining policies to stay current with an evolving environment. To be successful in that regard we have to empower our team members to make confident and strong decisions, benefiting our clients.”
For Renaissance, success isn’t defined merely by a stellar end product, but by pushing every step in the process to a higher standard. Honoring the craft means doing a job well and treating people right. Building relationships – not just buildings – internally and externally.
The construction industry is often transactional, making Renaissance’s warmth a key differentiator to industry partners and prospective team members alike. As a testament to the team’s commitment to the company’s vision, Renaissance’s new identity will show off the brand’s exemplary work without losing the story of the people behind it.
Internal changes also include expanding team member benefits and perks, including profit sharing (an initiative for 2023), work-from-home opportunities, gas mileage perks, and a pet-friendly office. Renaissance is also in the process of completing its licensing in Nevada.
The Renaissance rebrand includes the launch of its new name, new logo, and new website, www.RenConCo.com.
