It’s a wide load and a big job, but Finley Asphalt and Concrete, Inc. is a major commercial contractor up for the task.

Often, crews at Finley Asphalt and Concrete, Inc. complete work at night to minimize disruption to businesses and their mid-Atlantic region customers.

To some people, asphalt and paving might sound like routine business, but to the owners of Finley Asphalt and Concrete, Inc., it’s a passion that spans three generations of a hardworking, loyal, community-minded family.

Lonnie Finley Sr. founded what used to be known as Finley Paving Co. in 1965 in Fairfax, Va. For the next 25 years, he built a reputation for quality and service. His sons, Erick and Lewis Finley, started working at the company when they were still in their teens. After Lonnie’s passing in 1990, they continued the family tradition of hard work and excellence, changing the company name to Finley Asphalt and Concrete in 1995. The brothers have grown the company to over 160 employees by following their father’s example.

Erick, the company’s CEO, says the principles and values taught by his father are now continuing in the Finley family for another generation. “We are excited about our two sons coming into the business. My brother has a son named Lonnie who everyone calls Trey, and I have a son named Jonathon. They are both young men, but they have the strong work ethic that has been passed down from their grandfather,” Erick says.

Erick also credits his wife, Lisa, and Lewis’s wife, Sheila, with the company’s success. “Both have supported us through the years and sacrificed many vacations while we were both running and growing the business,” he adds.

Work Ethic Builds Finley Family Legacy

Clearly, the Finley family is a hardworking group. “We are proud to carry on our father’s legacy,” Erick explains as he fondly tells a story of how his mother still comes into the office each day at 6 a.m. “My mom is the most caring and compassionate person that you will ever meet. She inspires us all,” he adds, showing there’s definitely a soft side in the concrete business.

It seems the Finley family mixes a large helping of kindness and respect in with the stone, asphalt and concrete that they lay down. “Some days are long and hard, but we figure, if my mom can be in the office each morning with a smile, then so can the rest of us! She keeps us grounded and picks us up when we’re down,” Erick continues.

Customers like the recipe. Finley Asphalt and Concrete consistently wins honors including, most recently, a designation as a Top 75 Contractor in 2017 by Pavement Maintenance and Reconstruction magazine. The company is growing and expanding. In addition to the original office in Manassas, Va., serving the D.C. metro area, the firm now also has an office and construction yard just north of Richmond.

A Company Focused on Paving and People

Erick expects growth to continue because the Finley family realizes that the business is not just about paving. It’s also about people, and the leadership is committed to hiring the best.

Finding, hiring and keeping good people is truly this family’s priority. It’s a tough trade with long hours and high expectations year-round. To be successful, all employees must push hard.

“It’s our dedicated people that make all the difference,” says Erick. “When we interview potential employees, we tell them right up front that we work hard and expect a lot and if you don’t share those same values, then this company may not be a good fit.”

Working for Finley may not be for everyone. But for those who strive for excellence, the firm offers a loyal and caring workplace. “We treat every employee like family and show our people the utmost respect. We never back down on a promise or something that we committed to them,” Erick explains.

Perhaps that promise is why Finley Asphalt and Concrete continues to locate and retain highly professional managers and construction crews. Another reason may be the training and opportunities the company offers. Finley Asphalt and Concrete provides training in equipment operation, safety, and customer service skills. The project managers mentor new hires so they learn the “Finley way.”

Commitment to Charity and Industry

With so much going on in a growing family company, you might think there would be little time for local community work. Erick and Lewis say, at Finley Asphalt and Concrete, community commitment is constant. “We think it is very important that we give back to the communities where we work and live. We have been very fortunate to be surrounded by great customers and great employees, which is a huge part of our success,” Erick says. “It’s a great feeling to know that we are doing our part to help others when the economy is good and when times are hard,” he adds.

Involvement in trade events also keeps the Finley brothers on the leading edge of industry trends and enables them to put faces with names. Being visible in the community is important to them. A quick review of the company’s Facebook page shows a Property Management Association event, a Blue Book Network exhibit, and a Community Associations Institute show. “These events give us an opportunity to network with our existing customers and meet potential customers as well,” Erick explains.

Using Technology to Grow a Business

The Finley family believes that pursuing the latest technology and equipment also plays a big role in the growth of the business.

Erick points to a new software that uses aerial photography to measure the square footage in parking lots. “This speeds up the estimating process dramatically,” he says. “We now can prepare and submit many more proposals each week.”

It’s no surprise that even when referencing the latest technology, he brings it back to family. “Not that many years ago, we were measuring all of the repaving projects with a measuring wheel. I have spent many evenings and weekends measuring parking lots with my wife and two sons. They figured out early on that I had an ulterior motive when I asked them, ‘Hey do you want to go to the such and such mall?’ They knew that I had a parking lot nearby that needed to be measured,” he recalls.

Black is the New Green

It’s clear that Finley Asphalt and Concrete generates jobs and provides excellent work. The company is also proud of accomplishing this in a sustainable way. “Asphalt is one of America’s most recycled materials. It is cost effective and renewable. Over 100 million tons of asphalt are reclaimed off of America’s roads and parking lots each year,” Erick reports.

He also explains that many contractors still use diesel fuel and solvents during the asphalt lay-down process. “Not Finley,” he says. The company uses environmentally friendly release agents to coat the pavers, rollers and the bodies of dump trucks. This process not only benefits the environment, but it keeps the costs of asphalt production down dramatically so savings can be passed on to their customers.

The Future of Finley Asphalt and Concrete

What does the future hold? Erick says that the team will continue to provide new services while upholding certain core strengths: new construction paving, asphalt repair, milling, resurfacing, excavation, site preparation, drainage, concrete work and sealcoating.

Expertise, experience, and success are built over time. The Finley family expects to continue building and growing, standing firm on its foundational strengths: hard work, family, loyal employees, community involvement and a concrete commitment to excellence.