John Hamilton has spent 24 years in construction, currently serving as regional manager for Deacon Construction’s Boise office expansion after a career journey that began at age 16. His most significant recent accomplishment was leading the business into the Treasure Valley market.

“One of my most significant accomplishments has been leading the business planning and successful execution of Deacon’s Boise office expansion,” Hamilton said. “This milestone involved identifying strategic opportunities in the region, aligning internal resources, and building a strong foundation for long-term growth.”

Hamilton started as a summer laborer with Deacon in 2001, returned as a carpenter in 2003, launched his own general contracting company in 2007, and rejoined Deacon as project manager and estimator in 2016. He holds OSHA 30 and leadership certifications.

His biggest challenge was managing a historic building renovation with constant unforeseen conditions requiring immediate problem-solving.

“Construction is planned for the best-case scenario, but challenges occur in the construction industry,” he said.

His goal in the next year is to bolster the company’s business relationships.

Douglas Hardin has led Tamarack Grove Engineering for 14 years, recently expanding the Meridian-based structural engineering firm to include offices in Bozeman, Montana, and Lyndhurst, New Jersey. The company provides construction industry engineering services across multiple states.

“I assisted with the growth of the company to include two new out-of-state offices last fall,” Hardin said. “This was a large effort from many within the company, and I am proud to have been a part of it.”

A Boise State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Hardin holds professional engineering licenses in 24 states. He started with the company as an intern and advanced through various roles as the business grew.

His biggest challenge was taking on leadership responsibilities at a young age. “Wearing a lot of hats and maturing further in my career than my age may suggest” created skepticism from others, he said.

The company supports Idaho through donations and sponsorships to organizations including University of Idaho, Dress for Success and Camp Rainbow Gold.

With a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University, Dan Hayes founded HC Company nearly 23 years ago in Boise, and his experience in the industry spans longer than that.

In the time that he has led his company, it has been at the forefront of the construction of projects that span several different industries. From the tech field and offices to restaurants, theatres, warehouses and banking, Hayes has overseen a variety of building designs and needs.

Whether its specialty projects such as veterinary clinics or financial buildings, the company works to the specifications of each.

A list of notable clients are Christian Brothers Automotive, Bardenay, Boys & Girls Club, the Canyon County Expo Center and the offices of Eide Baily.

Hayes’ firm has won plenty of awards, including Greyloch in Star, which won and Idaho Business Review Top Project for Project of the Year in 2023.

When he’s not busy leading his company, Hayes spends time with his wife and two sons enjoying outdoor activities.

Zach Higgins has led Wright Brothers for six years after acquiring the Star-based construction company with partners in 2019. His most significant recent accomplishment was serving on a nonprofit committee that facilitated more than $10 million in contributions to an organization’s endowment ― an 80% increase over a budget that took 15 years to build.

“Earning the trust of our clients to move beyond being typecast into a specific size or type of project, a limitation that had hindered our growth for decades,” was his biggest challenge, Higgins said. “By successfully delivering more complex, technical projects, we demonstrated our full capabilities and opened the door to a new level of opportunity.”

A 2009 Boise State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in construction management and business administration minor, Higgins holds licenses in 17 states plus Certified Construction Management credentials. He joined Wright Brothers as an estimator after graduation during the recession when Bob Wright gave him an opportunity.

His goals include continuing company culture growth and community involvement while pursuing outcome-oriented growth.

Michael Hormaechea has led Hormaechea Development for 28 years, specializing in real estate development and redevelopment projects throughout Boise. His most significant recent accomplishment was completing the historic rehabilitation of The Avery Hotel & Brasserie, a complex project requiring extensive collaboration and complicated financing.

“This project required extensive collaboration with a large team of partners, a complicated financing structure and utmost diligence during construction,” Hormaechea said. “The result is a beautifully restored hotel and restaurant in downtown Boise that has been very well received by the community.”

His biggest challenge has been adapting to unexpected difficulties. “Not knowing what I don’t know,” he said. “Every project I have ever done brought a new surprise, a new challenge to overcome.”

Hormaechea primarily targets infill sites, replacing vacant lots or underutilized buildings with new developments. His goals include launching a multifamily apartment project in McCall to address workforce housing needs in Valley County.

Joe Kane has spent nine years with Saint Alphonsus Health System, recently accepting a promotion to director of capital construction for Trinity Health’s Service Area 1, which covers California through Illinois. In this role, he assists with planning and design projects totaling more than $1 billion in construction costs, ranging from small remodels to replacement hospital campuses.

“I have been able to assist in the planning and design of projects that range in scope from small remodels, replacement hospital campuses, hospital expansions, Medical Office Buildings, Cancer Centers,” Kane said.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering technology and certifications as a Certified Healthcare Contractor and LEED Accredited Professional. Kane began his career at Cushing Terrell architecture firm in Boise, working on health care projects worldwide before transitioning to hospital roles in Montana and Idaho.

His biggest challenge involves balancing patient experience with regulatory requirements while designing spaces flexible enough for evolving medical advancements.

“I can’t imagine not being in construction of some sort,” he said. “I love the impact that a well-designed space can have on people.”