Burwil Construction Co.

BurWil Construction Company was organized in 1962 by the late William C. Burriss, Sr. and incorporated in Virginia. Mr. Burriss, Sr. began his construction career in 1942 with Daniel Construction Company (now a division of Fluor Corporation) in Greenville, S.C. After more than ten years with Daniel, he became associated with C. M. Guest and Sons Construction Company in Anderson, S.C. His tenure of more than twenty years with Daniel and Guest as a field superintendent and project manager resulted in his acquiring a very extensive and varied background of experience in the construction industry. Projects completed by Mr. Burriss, Sr. included a steel smelting facility in Marietta, Ohio, textile mills in North and South Carolina, and plants for major corporations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

Mr. Burriss, Sr. was transferred to Bristol, TN in 1957 to construct a building for Sperry Corporation. Upon Completion of the plant, he resigned his position with C.M. Guest & Sons to take a position with a local construction company in order to allow his son, William C. Burriss, Jr. to finish high school in Bristol. Mr. Burriss, Sr. was approached by local businessman, William J. Tilley, Jr. in 1961 with the idea of starting a new construction company in Bristol. The new company began operations in 1962. Mr. Burriss, Sr. purchased Mr. Tilley’s interest in the company in 1965 and the company is currently owned by the Burriss family and William H. Prince, Sr. Mr. Burriss, Jr. graduated from Georgia Tech in 1964 and after a tour of duty with the U. S. Army, returned to Bristol in 1967 to join his father in the company.

The company’s operations continued to expand during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Mr. Burriss, Jr. assumed a major role in the company which resulted in his election as President of the company in 1976. As of January 1, 2002, he serves as Chairman of Board/Chief Executive Officer.

William H. Prince joined the firm in 1982 as an estimator/project manager. During his first six years with the company, Mr. Prince gained much experience in the area of estimating, negotiations and project management. The company experienced a major reorganization of senior management in 1986 which resulted in Mr. Prince being placed in charge of field operations. Mr. Prince’s excellent record in this capacity over the next two years resulted in his election to Vice President of the corporation in 1988. In recognition of Mr. Prince’s significant contributions to the continued growth and success of the company, the Burriss family allowed Mr. Prince to acquire a major ownership position in the company in 1996. As of January 1, 2002, he serves as President/Chief Operations Officer.

George N. Self joined the firm in 2001 as Director of Operations. Mr. Self brought to BurWil twelve years of experience as a project manager and Vice President of a regional division of another construction company. Mr. Self was elected Vice President – Operations in 2006.

The company’s area of operations has purposely been limited to the Southeastern United States. The company has completed projects in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. Under the direction and leadership of Mr. Prince and Mr. Self the company has enjoyed a significant expansion of operations in its Southeast area of operations.