Huckabee Continues to See Success and Growth
July 20, 2012
Like most industries, the downturn in the economy has tremendously impacted the architecture and engineering professions, causing significant reductions is workload and staff layoffs. Despite the economy and unlike most companies in the industry, Huckabee has continued to see success and growth year after year. “In a word, we are blessed,” says CEO, Chris Huckabee. “Instead of laying off staff, we are busy hiring staff to respond to the significant growth we have seen over the last several years.”
Knowing the impact the economy has had on many firms’ financial stability and staffing continuity, it is important that Texas school districts with upcoming building projects increase the level of research and due diligence they do before selecting a company to work with. It is important to request current financial statements, documentation on professional liability insurance coverage and resumes of the firm’s professional staff and their tenure.
In addition to adding new staff, Huckabee has continued to add new clients and projects. We have gained significantly more market share and added a new office location in central Texas in 2011 to better serve our growing client base. Plans for two additional office locations are in the works.
The reason Huckabee is in this position is simple. For 45 years, Huckabee has remained focused on three key principles: serving clients with integrity, operating under a conservative business model and giving back to our communities.
“We are not an architecture firm,” says Jerry Hammerlun, CFO of Huckabee and winner of the 2011 CFO of the Year. “We are a business that practices architecture. Our first priority is to serve our clients and their tax-paying communities by delivering facilities of high quality and value, that will be efficient and maintainable and that will last for decades.”
From a business standpoint, Huckabee is committed to operating conservatively and retains a very strong cash position and zero debt. A firm’s financial strength means that it can properly staff a project and will not cut corners. It also means that if challenges do arise, it will have the resources to stand behind its work and perform like Chris Huckabee has always demanded: “We will make it right.”
“The success of our firm isn’t only measured in earnings, back log and staffing. One of the things I am most proud of is our continued ability to give back,” says Chris. “Over the past several years, our firm has continued to contribute to communities across the state through monetary contributions, employee volunteering and donated services. To me, that is our greatest success story.”
Are you interested in joining our growing team, recognized as one of the best firms to work for in the nation by ZweigWhite over the past several years?
Currently, we have multiple career opportunities available and are actively searching for committed, motivated professionals with integrity to join our team and quest to have an impact of excellence on the communities we serve. Please visit our Careers page for more information about these openings and how to apply.
