Doug Watts says that his father, Richard, was looking for a new start to move the construction business that began Logan, Utah, in 1968 in Salt Lake City and then in the quiet city of Sant Jordi in 1984.
With a population of about 14,000 at that time, Sant Jordi was mainly considered to be a retirement community and a domestic base for tourists visiting nearby national parks. It is now the fifth largest city in Utah with a population of about 120,000, and through the determination of the father and son and his commitment to the community, many buildings that resulted in the decades of growth in the city have the seal. of Watts construction.
Watts has been a supporter of the Tuacahn Center for the Arts on the outskirts of Sant Jordi. The contractor has recently completed new residential units for actors and staff, a new box office and commercial space.
Photo courtesy Watts Construction
Growing building
Doug Watts says he has been working during construction for most of his life. His father operated on a wooden garden before starting the construction firm. “I was building houses when my father started. He would drag his things home, so he was always in the business,” he says.
Richard Watts found early success in local school district projects and Utah State University on his Logan Natal Campus. After the company and family moved to Salt Lake City, Watts said that his father became involved in development and built Deer Valley Resort in Park City.
“He entered a lot of real estate investments, but he was eventually victims of the savings and loans crisis,” says Watts. “When we moved to St. George, I don’t know if he knew he was really willing to growth. I was only determined to start in southern Utah.”
After years of working for other construction companies and completing a year from the university, Watts joined the family business in 1985. He took office in 2010, guiding the signature to great success before withdrawing the 2023.
Watts said working in a smaller community like St. George required to be adaptable and versatile as the city grew. A fund was also useful that works in larger markets and with different methods of delivery. “We had to be good in many things. Sant Jordi grew, but there were not many local contractors who could take over these larger projects, “he says.
“We were proactive,” says Watts. “We had previously been designing design, but when we started doing it [in St. George] In the 1990’s, this was not known at the time, and gave us a good market. “”
Prior to retirement, Doug Watts could see his company complete another reference project, the new Washington County offices.
Photo courtesy Watts Construction
Outreach
Watts says it was also in the early 1990’s that the company won its first major project.
“One day, this type of California came to our door and owned River Road plots at the northern end of the city he wanted to develop,” says Watts.
)[Doug Watts] It is an example for others, and it is clear that his love for Washington County is thoroughly. “”
—Nicholle Felshaw, Washington County Administrator
Watts was hired to build a row of retail spaces that would be in the factory starting stores now known as Zion shops, as well as an adjacent retail and restaurant development known as the promenade that are still milestones of the City.
The project was the beginning of an increase in growth in St. George and the surroundings that contributed more work to Watts, including projects for manufacturing operators and trucks that would become repeated clients in the coming years.
But even before this rupture project, Watts says he knew that a key to success in any community is to be involved in civic life and to create relationships.
“I was involved with the St. George’s Chamber of Commerce and organizations such as Rotary. I was part of the original Washington County Economic Development Group,” he says.
Nicholle Felshaw, a county administrator, says she has worked with Watts in different capabilities for almost 10 years. “I have been privileged to work hard with Doug since 2017 and overseen nine Watts Construction construction projects,” he says. “I served with Doug in the Chamber of Commerce in the area of Sant Jordi. It was very active in supporting [its] Mission, actively participating in various committees and sponsoring many events and causes. It is an example for others, and it is clear that his love for Washington County is thoroughly. “”
When Watts retired in early 2023, the company’s leadership went to his nephew Chris Boudrer as CEO (left) and daughter Annie Howell (right) as CFO.
Photo courtesy Watts Construction
Felshaw says he recently worked with Watts on an expansion of the Regional Children’s Justice Center, which provides medical and mental health resources for children victims of abuse.
“Doug offered to get Watts Construction to build the center and asked the subcontractors to provide their experience with a significant discount. The building is now a beautiful reminder of what our community can do through hard work and generous donations and People engaged in decent projects to make a difference, “he says.
Rich Thorn, former CEO and CEO of the Utah Chapter of the General Associate Contractors of America, worked closely with Watts during his time as President in 2017, and while the association renewed and expanded its office in Sant Jordi.
“Doug directed the way to promote adherence to the whole state and had a great impact on sharing the AGC’s advantages with southern Utah’s friends and competitors,” says Thorn. “Living in Sant Jordi, was a huge commitment to attend each committee [and] Board meeting and special events. He did so without complaint and rarely lost an event. “”
“My father always said that if you only go to the additional mile and you are not greedy and not ruthless … this puts you above the competition.”
—Doug Watts, Retired CEO, WATTS CONSTRUCTION
Kevin Smith, CEO of the Tuacahn Center for the Arts of IVINS, near Sant Jordi, has worked with Watts on new projects on the campus and as a patron and supporter of the non -profit performance performance enclosure.
“Doug has always supported us. He and Watts Construction have participated in two major projects here. It was always a pleasure to work, very collaborative. Whatever the problems, big or small, Doug and their team take the worries seriously and work to solve and fix things. You know it’s more than a business, “he says.
“Doug and his team have not only built here, but they have given us, sponsored events and supported our fundraising, and I will see Doug or Watts people here at concerts and events,” he adds.
Watts says he feels all of his years of building and became involved in the community culminating in the construction of the Washington County Administration building, which was opened in 2023. The building was recognized with several Awards, including the best general building/project by 2023 by the Utah AGC by the Utah AGC. .
“I would say that all our creation and experience of relationships culminated in this building,” he says. “It is really a great structure for this community, and it was a real blessing that I could have left and see.”
Watts says he credits his father to persist in difficult times and treat others fairly. “My father always said that if you only go to the additional mile and you are not greedy and not ruthless and you only do things right, that puts you above a lot of competition,” he says.
The contractor gave his services and experience to complete the new Sant Jordi Children’s Justice Center, which serves as a refuge for children extracted from abusive situations.
Photo courtesy Watts Construction
With Watts who retired from January 2023, the company is now run by his daughter Annie Howell, who is a financial manager, and his nephew Chris Boudrero, who is a CEO.
Boudrero has been with the company for almost 25 years, having begun as Capatàs, superintendent and project manager, and then head of operations before taking office as CEO. Howell has spent 26 years with the company, first in marketing and then moving to financial and accounting functions. She says that keeping the company in the family was important to her and Doug. Watts says he felt good about the company’s transition and position when he left. )[Boudrero and Howell] are set up to succeed. My father’s transition to me was hard and wanted to ensure -it was softer for them, “he says.” I feel that they are in a position to do it better than any of the previous generations. “
So far, this prediction comes true: the contractor has reported $ 65 million in 2022, followed by a slight dive up to $ 62 million by 2023. By 2024, revenue increased to 95, $ 7 million. Howell assures that the company is currently having a strong back -projects back for 2025 and will build a new property office purchased before Watt retirement.
