5 Construction Companies That Built Success Through Government Contracts

The construction industry plays a key role in the U.S. economy, contributing over $1.3 trillion annually and supporting more than 7 million jobs. While small businesses make up over 99% of all construction firms, many struggle to grow – especially when it comes to breaking into government contracts.

Government contracting offers major opportunities for small construction companies, but it also comes with tough competition, strict regulations, and complex bidding processes. Despite these challenges, some small firms have not only secured government work—they’ve thrived because of it.

Let’s take a closer look at five small construction businesses that built their success through government contracts.

From Acquisition to Expansion: How Dennis Farrow Transformed ATC

Advanced Technology Construction (ATC) is a full-service general contractor offering a wide range of construction expertise. The company provides comprehensive services including cost consultation, design, project administration, subcontractor management, and a variety of self-performed construction tasks.

From complex, remote-location design-build projects to straightforward bid-build renovations, ATC has the capability and experience to deliver high-quality results across diverse project types.

In 2012, Dennis Farrow took over Advanced Technology Construction after purchasing the company. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant and retail industries, Farrow brought strong business management skills and a vision for growth.

Farrow used an SBA 7(a) loan to become the owner and president of ATC, a general contracting firm specializing in design, renovation, and construction management.

His goal was to grow ATC’s presence in federal contracting by joining the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program. In 2015, he applied for 8(a) certification, setting ATC on a path to growth in the federal market.

As part of ATC’s expansion, Farrow moved the company’s offices to Tacoma, making it eligible for the HUBZone program. This program supports small businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones by offering access to federal contracts, aiming to boost economic growth in these areas.

Farrow’s efforts didn’t stop there. ATC also became a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and earned certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) through the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE).

These certifications opened doors for ATC to pursue government contracts across various sectors, including with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Thanks to these moves, ATC grew quickly. The company has completed over 400 projects across the West Coast, from Northern California to Alaska, and increased its revenue by 50%. With a dedicated team of 50 employees, Farrow has set ATC up for long-term success and continued growth.

Looking back, Farrow highlights the value of utilizing available certifications, “These are not handouts, but the government is dedicated to working with small businesses, and entrepreneurs should focus on their ability to perform and take advantage of these opportunities.”

How CMS Corporation Built a Global Legacy Through Local Partnerships and Federal Contracts

CMS Corporation, a general construction contractor based in Franklin, Indiana, has made great impact on local economies both in the U.S. and internationally. As an award-winning contractor, CMS has secured billions of dollars from federal and commercial clients to build and renovate structures worldwide.

CMS offers full construction management services with self-performance capabilities in mechanical, piping, and fabrication work, allowing the company to deliver high-quality results for clients across the globe.

Mercedes Enrique, President and CFO of CMS Corporation, emphasizes that the key to their growth and success is simple: “Construction is local.”

CMS Corporation doesn’t handle every aspect of the work in-house. As a prime contractor, they bid on large federal projects and then hire smaller, local companies to handle parts of the work. This approach allows CMS to take on larger projects while also supporting local economies.

By creating jobs and helping businesses in the communities where they operate, CMS ensures that every dollar spent on a project has a positive impact on local workers and families.

For example, in April 2022, CMS was awarded a $450 million IDIQ contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under their Facilities Repair & Renewal (FRR) program.

By September 2022, CMS was tasked with critical infrastructure work on the Lake Shelbyville Dam in rural Southern Illinois, reinforcing water management to ensure the community’s safety. CMS awarded 10 subcontracts to local companies, many of which employed local workers.

“Without infrastructure funding, the Lake Shelbyville Dam Feeder Line & Roof Repairs Project wouldn’t have been funded. Everyone but the designer was local for this project. That makes me proud,” said Enrique.

CMS Corporation was founded in 1996, and in 2004, Enrique and her business partner purchased the company with the goal of restructuring and driving growth.

Enrique’s vision was to expand into federal contracting, and over the next two decades, CMS grew from a regional subcontractor to a global prime contractor, securing billions in federal contracts and expanding to 18 offices worldwide.

In 2014, CMS revamped its internal systems, increased staffing, and refined operations, which improved productivity and enabled the company to manage multiple projects globally and concurrently.

Despite challenges along the way, CMS was able to overcome delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly at remote locations like Guam. With the help of a Paycheck Protection Program loan in 2021, the company was able to stay on track and complete its projects.

In January 2023, CMS moved into the other-than-small contracting category, marking a major milestone in its growth.

Enrique, a Hispanic woman, is an advocate for small businesses and diversity in construction. She is actively involved in organizations like the Mid-States Minority Supplier Diversity Council and the Society for American Military Engineers.

CMS’s largest federal project to date is a $53.9 million contract from the Department of Defense to upgrade and resurface airfields at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State. The company is also ranked #7 on the Associated Builders and Contractors Top Performers list for military contractors.

Athena Construction’s Path to Success and Recognition in Government Contracting

Athena Construction Group is a versatile general contractor and subcontractor specializing in site construction. With the ability to self-perform a wide range of work, the company offers clients both flexibility and deep technical expertise across every project.

Over the years, Athena has built a strong reputation working with public municipalities, government agencies, and private-sector clients. Its consistent focus on quality, precision, and attention to detail has helped establish long-term relationships and drive repeat business.

One of Athena’s standout strengths is its ability to shape functional and visually impactful outdoor spaces. The company brings specialized skill to projects such as cast-in-place (CIP) walls, hardscapes, landscapes, ponds, and athletic facilities – delivering results that balance aesthetics with performance.

This success is the result of years of growth and persistence. Now in its 15th year of operation, Athena has evolved from a small, struggling residential remodeling business into a thriving construction firm. It now employs 55 team members, operates across two time zones, and maintains four offices and a growing fleet of company vehicles.

The company’s journey began in 2003 when it faced many challenges, including zoning and safety regulations that made it difficult to compete.

Amber Peebles, now the company’s president, was working as a government contract paralegal at the time and managing a $20 million construction project as part of a law firm merger. It was in this role that she discovered the potential of veteran set-asides in government contracting, which would eventually become a pivotal factor in Athena’s growth.

When Athena’s founder, Melissa Schneider, wanted to expand the business, she brought Amber Peebles on as president to help guide the company toward government contracting.

However, Athena faced a catch-22: securing government contracts was difficult without bonding and past performance. To overcome this, Athena’s leadership took a methodical approach to growth, securing subcontracts for federal work and steadily building up their portfolio.

Peebles stresses the importance of growing the company at a steady pace, explaining that taking on too much work too quickly could have negatively impacted the company’s success.

A key milestone for Athena came when Peebles, a service-disabled veteran, and Schneider, the other female owner, used their veteran status and female ownership to qualify for government set-asides, including service-disabled, women-owned small business (SDVOSB), and HUBZone certifications.

Over the next few years, Athena worked hard to grow its presence in federal contracting. The company joined the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, which offered valuable mentorship and resources to help navigate federal contracts.

Peebles credits much of Athena’s success to the discipline needed to manage the complex paperwork involved in government contracts.

In 2017, Athena was recognized with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce Government Contractor of the Year Award. In 2023, Athena achieved another significant milestone: it was granted Security Level Clearance, allowing the company to compete for high-security government projects.

In addition to this, the company benefited from recent tax cuts, which provided much-needed stability, allowing Athena to issue bonuses and increase its healthcare benefits for employees.

From Military Service to Business Leadership: Alicia Hernandez’s Rise in Construction

Let’s take a look at Alicia Hernandez’s journey of building DAP Construction Management. As a veteran who achieved the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor during the first Persian Gulf War, Alicia has shown dedication, leadership, and strategic thinking – qualities that contribute to success.

After transitioning to civilian life, she worked for an 8(a) firm aiming to expand into Arizona. This led her to seek help from the SBA’s Arizona District Office, where she discovered the path to starting her own business.

Alicia founded DAP Construction Management in 2009, and over the years, the company has earned more than $40 million in revenues through general construction services and management contracts across 14 states.

DAP offers clients a reliable, turnkey solution for design-build and construction management services. As a designer-led design-build firm, DAP oversees every phase of a project—from scheduling and subcontractor coordination to vendor and design consultant management—ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Backed by a strong network of trusted subconsultants and subcontractors, DAP brings together the right team for each project, providing seamless execution and high-quality results.

With the help of the SBA, Alicia qualified her firm as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), HUBZone, and 8(a) certified.

Throughout her path, Alicia made the most of SBA resources, such as the “Selling to the Federal Government” workshops and the SBA/GSA “Industry Days,” where she had the chance to pitch her company’s capabilities to federal agencies.

She also worked closely with the APEX Accelerator Center to boost her business’s competitiveness for federal contracts. Today, DAP Construction Management operates in multiple states, including Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, Texas, and California.

The company serves clients like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Davis-Monthan, Cannon, and Luke Air Force Bases, as well as the General Services Administration.

Her advice to other small business owners: “View your SBA as a trusted advisor and wealth manager. Don’t pay for anything related to business development, as the SBA offers assistance for free.”

How Mark Santo Built Mark VII Enterprises into a Resilient Construction Business

Mark VII Enterprises is a veteran-owned construction management firm based in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded by Mark Santo, the company offers comprehensive services including pre-construction, design/development, procurement, construction, and dispute resolution.

With experience on projects ranging from $1 million to over $500 million, Mark VII has been involved in diverse developments such as U.S. government facilities, international resorts, and multifamily housing projects .

Now let’s explore the inspiring journey of Mark Santo, who built Mark VII Enterprises into a thriving construction company despite facing numerous challenges, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Santo’s extensive experience across all types and phases of construction projects has positioned Mark VII as a trusted liaison between owners and project teams—dedicated to advocating fiercely for clients’ best interests.

By applying proven processes and controls, the company takes proactive steps to ensure every project delivers high-quality work, stays on schedule, and remains within budget.

Santo’s construction career began overseas, where he helped build American embassies for a defense contractor. However, after meeting his wife and starting a family, he returned to Omaha, Nebraska, and had to restart his career.

He worked as a project manager until the 2008 recession hit, forcing him to face a major setback when he was laid off. This challenging moment would ultimately fuel his determination to succeed and grow his own company.

At that point, he planned to take a job at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE, but a lunch with Andy Alexander, a former employee of the Nebraska Business Development Center, changed everything.

During their meeting in 2010, Andy encouraged Santo to pursue entrepreneurship, recognizing his potential as a business owner.

Inspired by Andy’s words, Santo took the leap into entrepreneurship. Although he had incorporated Mark VII Enterprises in 2005, setting up the infrastructure, logo, and bank account in anticipation of starting a business, it wasn’t until June 2010 that he took action.

Within four months of that meeting, he secured his first federal government contract as a prime contractor, kickstarting his entrepreneurial journey.

By 2021, Santo’s company had grown to 11 employees and gained several certifications, including HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and 8(a) through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The COVID-19 pandemic created challenges for Mark VII Enterprises, causing projects to disappear and leaving Santo without new work to bid on. However, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan and two rounds of Paycheck Protection Program funding helped him get through tough times.

Santo is confident that Mark VII Enterprises will not only recover from the pandemic but also continue to thrive. Santo’s 8(a) certification, along with his Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business status, HUBZone certification, and a decade of experience, has provided a solid foundation for future growth.