Willow Construction welcomed clients, industry partners, friends, family, and community members for an Open House ceremony commemorating its 50th anniversary on the evening of Wednesday, August 23. The well-attended event was held at Willow’s headquarters in Easton, Maryland. Attendees enjoyed light refreshments and music and heard members of the Willow leadership speak about the company’s long history in the Delmarva region.
Willow Construction has become a fixture on the Eastern Shore, building high-profile projects throughout Delmarva. Presently, Willow employs 37 associates and provides work to hundreds of contracted craft professionals. The company serves a wide range of industries including healthcare, religious institutions, manufacturing, schools, corporate clients, car dealerships, recreational facilities, banks, and more.
In his opening remarks, Willow Construction President Michael Hiner thanked attendees, paid homage to friend and company founder William “Bill” Ditman, and discussed Willow’s impact on the Delmarva region over the last five decades. He also emphasized the importance of the company’s core value, integrity.
“Our motto, ‘Integrity…the foundation of every Willow project since 1973,’ says it all,” remarked Hiner. “Bill Ditman used the word integrity a lot; in each of our trainings, in each of our sessions, integrity meant everything to him. And what that means is complete honesty. And when something goes wrong, it’s our job to find a solution for that problem and to get to the bottom of it immediately. That’s what it means to have integrity. The people who work for this company have that instilled in them; they understand that.”
Vice President Bernard Andy Cheezum, Jr., CHC, also spoke about Willow Construction’s evolution into the commercial construction powerhouse it is today and attributed much of the company’s success to its dedicated and diverse staff, and to the great potential for growth that exists on the Eastern Shore.
“Our company has experienced significant growth over the years,” remarked Cheezum. “The size and complexity of our projects have increased tremendously. This is a testament to our team’s ability to adapt and meet those challenges associated with larger, more complex projects. It’s also a confirmation from our customers and the design professionals for them collectively having the trust and confidence in our team to bring their visions to reality.”
State Representative Chris Adams and State Senator Johnny Mautz, as well as Nancy LaJoice of the Maryland Department of Commerce, presented citations of congratulations to Willow Construction, commending their long history of giving back to the community. Comments closed with Willow Construction Junior Owners Eric Milhollan and Justin Hiner raising a celebratory toast.
Willow Construction has organized a series of special events to mark this significant company milestone. In addition to their annual giving, Willow Construction has been making charitable donations each month to local organizations that serve communities where Willow has completed projects over the years. Willow will also host a weekend getaway celebration for employees in September that will feature great food and accommodations, fun and activities.
Willow’s leadership says preparing for another 50 years of success is one of their most important duties. In 2015, employees Justin Hiner and Eric Milhollan became junior partners as part of the company’s succession plan. By the time they take over, they will have had many years of development in the ‘Willow Way,’ maintaining the company’s values, systems, and high standards.
To learn more about Willow Construction, please visit their website at WillowConstruction.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. You may also view a short video celebrating the company’s first 50 years in business at https://bit.ly/willowconstruction50.
The Willow Construction leadership team prepares to cut the cake at their 50th Anniversary Open House event on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Pictured from left to right are Senior Estimator Justin Hiner; Senior Project Manager Eric Milhollan, CHC; President Michael Hiner; and Vice President Bernard A. Cheezum, Jr., CHC.
About Willow Construction: Willow Construction is one of the largest and most respected commercial construction companies on Delmarva. Headquartered in Easton, Maryland, Willow specializes in industrial, retail, office, medical, multi-family, and other commercial construction projects. The company’s work includes new construction, renovations, and pre-engineered buildings. Willow has been operating for 50 years and has received a multitude of industry awards for excellence in construction and safety. The company is committed to supporting the communities where it operates and actively supports a variety of organizations including Talbot Hospice, BAAM, CASA, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, For All Seasons, Junior Achievement, ACE Mentor Program, Talbot Goes Purple, local fire departments, and local youth sports, among others.
