By Lesley Keays
Herald Correspondent
Bobby VonHerbulis has retired as Owner of local business McKee Construction Company, transferring the corporate reigns to his son, Maverick.
The youngest of seven children, Bobby grew up on a farm in Sanford helping his family raise livestock, milk cows, and tend to a year-round garden.
“I can’t recall a time in my life that I did not work. As a child, I remember my friends watching Saturday morning cartoons; their time was free. In contrast, I had important chores to complete every weekend. It was a matter of family survival,” VonHerbulis recalls.
He credits his childhood for teaching him the essential value of a hard day’s work. It instilled in him effective work habits that well served VonHerbulis and his beloved Sanford community at large. “I began work early every day and didn’t stop until the work was done. I learned how to be self-directed in my problem-solving skills,” VonHerbulis states.
In high school, VonHerbulis excelled at drafting. Bob McKee, a local business owner, contacted the school’s drafting instructor Bob Schmidt with a job opening for a talented drafting student.
Without hesitation, Schmidt recommended VonHerbulis to McKee.
VonHerbulis remembers his early part-time position with fondness. “Through drafting, I found that I could make something out of nothing. I could design and create buildings. That knowledge changed my life,” VonHerbulis states.
VonHerbulis graduated from high school and transitioned to a full-time role within the company. In 1989, at the age of 22, he was promoted to Vice President. In 1996, VonHerbulis purchased the company outright and under his ownership and direction, the design/build firm soared.
Soon, VonHerbulis expanded his employee base. He fostered successful relationships with clients and subcontractors, many of which continue to this day. “I have been blessed to be able to grow solid business relationships based on mutual respect.”
Now that he and his wife Debra are grandparents, VonHerbulis is retiring to spend more time with family. He and his wife plan to travel the world and spend time at their ranch in Montana. A known philanthropic figure in Sanford, VonHerbulis can now devote more time to his local volunteer work.
To continue the legacy he worked tirelessly to expand, VonHerbulis has given full company management to his son, Maverick. “My son has grown to adulthood seeing the company rise. He is passionate about the work and knows our industry thoroughly. He brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to his new role. I have the utmost confidence in Maverick to take the organization to its next level of success,” VonHerbulis states.
For more information on McKee Construction Company, access https://mckeegc.com/.
