Harrison, Ark. Business Owner Wins 2009 Contractor of the Year Award

Thorough, detailed approach to business catches the attention of magazine editors

LAS VEGAS, March 2009 … Larry Davis, owner of L.E. Davis Construction, based in Harrison, Ark. won the 10th annual Contractor of the Yearaward sponsored by construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. and leading national trade magazine Equipment World during a recent ceremony at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

Davis was chosen by the magazine’s editors for his thorough, detailed approach to his business, his ability to find and keep great employees, a top-notch safety program and community involvement.

Davis grew up building homes alongside his father and later expanded the business into commercial construction. In 2002, he grew further by creating a heavy construction division for site work and utility work. After 38 years in business, Davis’s roots in the community run deep. He’s served on a number of community and construction association boards and recently helped the local community college grow its carpentry program into a full-fledged construction management degree.

To determine the winner of each year’s Contractor of the Year program, Equipment World’s editors spend a day interviewing the candidates and visiting their crews and sites. They also evaluate comments made by the contractor’s references listed on the application form. Some of the accolades editors heard about Davis included “he wants his people to be as successful as he is” and “he gets his percentage of jobs based on quality.”

All finalists received a four-day trip to Las Vegas and attended the NASCAR Sprint Cup race courtesy of Caterpillar, sponsor of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, driven by Jeff Burton for Richard Childress Racing.

“Equipment World magazine is honored to recognize the integrity, hard work, and dedication of these exemplary men and women,” said Dan Tidwell, vice president, group publisher of Equipment World magazine. “This group of finalists represents the best of the construction industry. Their success is evidence of the perseverance, drive and strong values they embody.”

Local Caterpillar dealer Riggs Cat joins Caterpillar and Equipment World in congratulating L. E. Davis Construction for receiving the program’s highest honor.

Now in its 10th year, the Contractor of the Year is sponsored by Caterpillar, the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment; Safety.Cat.com, which offers an extensive offering of free industry-specific safety resources, and Equipment World magazine, the construction industry’s leading trade publication.