We currently hold a Class B Public Works license, which enables us to bid and complete city-and state-funded projects. We also carry an advanced septic system license.

I have owned and operated Burks Excavation for over 20 years. Prior to starting Burks Excavation, I trained with several excavation contractors in all facets of the field.

I developed a passion for excavation the first time I ran a piece of heavy equipment. I was lucky enough to turn my favorite childhood game into a career!

The construction industry has changed significantly, and continues to change. The pool of qualified operators is decreasing, as more and more baby boomers are retiring, and more and more young people are entering the technology workforce, rather than construction. Because the cost of living in the Wood River Valley is higher than average, combined with the shortage of available entry-level homes and rentals, most potential employees are choosing more affordable areas to live. I currently serve on the board for the Building Contractors Association, and solutions to this issue are being explored on a daily basis.

We are fortunate to have several exciting projects going on currently, ranging from a large-scale landscape remodel designed by B.Y.L.A., to excavation and infrastructure for new subdivisions. We'll be continuing work on Baldy, as well as the new Employee Residences for Sun Valley Company. We're also excited to be doing a project at the former Japanese Internment Camp, a national historical site in Minidoka.

One of the most enjoyable parts of my profession is the variety of people I'm able to work with. We sometimes work directly with the homeowner, which can involve a certain degree of educating the clients to ensure their expectations are realistic and achievable. Other times, we work with architects and building contractors and landscape designers, who are representing the project owners. In most cases, the design work has been completed before we become involved with the project, so we are able to transform the design from paper to earth.

While we have been lucky to complete many interesting and exciting projects through the years, two stand out for me. We were awarded the White Cloud Golf Course project in Sun Valley, which presented numerous challenges we hadn't yet encountered, and turned us quickly into golf course contractors. Not long after the completion of the golf course, we went south to American Falls, Idaho, where we spent ten months completing the Power County Wind Turbine Project, a 2,500-acre wind farm. The project entailed all site, infrastructure, and road work for 18 80- meter wind turbines, located in the mountains just south of American Falls. In total, we moved 750,000 cubic yards of earth, blasted 350,000 cubic yards of rock, of which we crushed 200,000 cubic yards into gravel and used it to build 17 miles of roads. Additionally, we installed all of the underground and overhead power for the site. The entire project was completed on time and on budget, and was by far the most challenging and rewarding job we've had to date.

I thoroughly enjoy my work, almost every single day. I have an exceptional group of coworkers who add to that sense of enjoyment. And because we are often faced with extremely risky situations, when a wrong move or decision could have catastrophic consequences, we devote a significant portion of time to safety training. For this reason, we have formed a bond within the company that feels almost like family. Looking out for one another and for our clients is simply a way of life, which I cherish. Equally, important to the team in the field is the team behind the scenes, in the office, providing support that allows me to participate in the fun stuff.

In 1996, I bought a pick-up truck, a goose-neck trailer, and a small dozer. I was officially in business, all by myself, quickly realized that my one-man show needed more members, and I worked hard to find the most competent people to join me. I have been very lucky to find and work with some of the most skilled, dedicated people in the field.

Having been raised in the Wood River Valley, my favorite sport, naturally, is skiing. I grew up, literally, on Baldy; my father was on the ski patrol for 35 years. So most of my days, and even some nights, were spent on the mountain. These days, my favorite pastime is watching my three teenage children play hockey.

Honestly, my wishes have all come true. I have an amazing family, I have a great business, and I live in Idaho. If I were forced to make another wish, it would be to have more winters like the one we had in 2016/17, minus a knee surgery, with some more family time in Maui. But that would all just be icing on the cake.

Everything. There's no place I'd rather live or work.

The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and life. I think it should be required reading for all parents of kids who play sports.

Our favorite family vacation spot is Maui. We started taking our children there when our twin girls were eight months old, and returned yearly (until the economy did that fun thing). I have such fond memories from those trips of surfing, playing on the beach, and just being together as a family.