A Century of Building the Extraordinary: Celebrating 100 Years of Zachry

by Beth McGinn, vice president of communications, ARTBA

This year, San Antonio-based Zachry Corporation, one of America’s most respected construction firms, celebrates a milestone achievement—100 years of business. Over the last century, the company has grown from a one-man, start-up into a major player in the global construction, materials, and hospitality industries. Its success is rooted in humble beginnings, visionary leadership, and a steadfast commitment to people, both within the organization and the communities they serve.

Humble Beginnings
The story of Zachry Corporation begins in Laredo, Texas in 1924, when H.B. “Pat” Zachry, a recent Texas A&M civil engineering graduate, took his first steps into the business world. With $2,400 saved from working as a surveyor with the Texas Highway Department, Pat started H.B. Zachry Company and won the low bid contract to build three small bridges along highway 12A in Webb County, Texas. Using little more than a pack of mules and one cement mixer, Zachry and his 16-man crew built the reinforced concrete bridges that still stand today.

From that simple start, Zachry quickly gained a reputation for delivering quality work and for being a man of his word.

“Back in the day, when Pat Zachry told you something—that is the way it was going to be. You could take it to the bank,” recalls longtime, former Zachry team member and Mayor of North Richmond Hills, Texas, Oscar Treviño.

As time passed, the company took on increasingly complex projects, and in 1931 won its first federal contract, concrete paving work for the U.S. Army Corps (Corps) of Engineers at Randolph Field (now Randolph Air Force Base) in San Antonio.

A Legacy of Landmark Projects
From these modest beginnings, Zachry grew steadily, driven by Pat’s hands-on approach and belief that each project—no matter how big or small—was an opportunity to create something lasting. His personal philosophy of “seeking opportunity—not security,” was a driving force that endures today.​

In 1952, Pat moved the headquarters from Laredo to the budding metropolitan area of San Antonio to further aid the company’s expansion.​ Five years later, in 1957, Zachry received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to rebuild runways at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin. Rather than purchase materials from another supplier, the company decided it would be more efficient to start its own sand, gravel, and ready-mix operations. Capitol Aggregates was incorporated and just two years later, the company also began a major dredging project for the Corps, widening and deepening the Colorado River in Austin.

The 1960s showcased Zachry’s involvement in significant highway construction across Texas, particularly in the expansion of the interstate system, and the construction of bridges and tunnels that transformed urban landscapes. Some of the company’s landmark projects are the construction of the interchange at US 75 and IH635 High Five (Dallas), SH 130 Tollroad (Georgetown), Grand Parkway (Houston), as well as the famous San Antonio Riverwalk (Museum Reach and Mission Reach) extension projects, and the San Antonio Airport.

The People Behind the Success
While Zachry’s portfolio of projects is impressive, what truly sets the company apart is its people. From the earliest days, Pat emphasized the importance of treating employees with respect and fostering a family-oriented culture that still guides the organization. This commitment to people has been a cornerstone of the company’s success.

The Zachry family itself has been instrumental in keeping the company’s values intact. After Pat stepped down in 1965, his son Bartell assumed leadership and continued to emphasize the importance of maintaining a tight-knit, value-driven workforce.

Under Bartell’s leadership the company developed transformative projects across the globe, from U.S. embassies and military installations to power plants and highways. He championed a commitment to delivering high-quality products, creating opportunities for skilled employees, and empowering them to support their families as well as their communities. His vision led to the completion of more than 5,500 projects and the development of hundreds of Zachry-affiliated companies.

“Collecting material possessions or gaining political influence was never his goal,” reads the description of Bartell on the company website. “He believed in the goodness of people and considered it both a duty and a privilege to serve others, from his family to his employees to his fellow citizens.”

Three Generations of Steady Leadership
In 2008, after significant growth and achievement, the company realigned to prepare for the future under the third generation of family leadership. Bartell’s son, David, formed Zachry Corporation and assumed ownership of the construction company’s heavy, highway and building divisions, Capitol Aggregates, and Zachry Hotels.

“I think my grandfather wouldn’t be surprised by a lot, and I hope, I believe, he would be very proud of who we are today,” said David, the company’s current president and CEO. “As we celebrate 100 years, we honor our humble beginnings and recognize the tens of thousands of people who quite literally built the foundation on which we continue to operate.”

Today, Zachry Corporation employs thousands of people, each of whom play a vital role in the company’s operations. From skilled team members and engineers to housekeepers and property managers, every individual is part of a collective effort to deliver the highest standards in the services and products they provide. The company’s team member-first approach extends to comprehensive safety programs, skill development initiatives, and leadership opportunities that empower workers to grow alongside the company.

“What makes us special are the people,” said Travis Mross, Zachry Construction Corp., executive vice president. “We have people who have been here 25, 35, 45 years. The culture and the personality of the company is what makes people want to stay.”

Zachry’s people are also deeply embedded in the communities where they work. The company’s commitment to community engagement has been a consistent theme throughout its 100-year history. Whether it is through charitable giving, volunteering, or efforts to promote conservation throughout its operations, Zachry understands that the communities they serve are just as important as the work they do.

Looking to the Future
As Zachry celebrates its centennial, the company is poised for continued growth and innovation. The world of construction and engineering is evolving rapidly, with new technologies and challenges emerging, particularly in sustainability and renewable energy. Zachry has embraced these changes, investing in cutting-edge technologies, such as digital construction tools and green building methods, to stay at the forefront of the industry.

Moreover, the company remains committed to its Core Values: Every Person Matters®, Together We Can Do Great Things®, and This Is More Than A Job®. As it enters its second century, Zachry is well-positioned to investigate, develop and implement solutions to tomorrow’s challenges, from building the infrastructure of a sustainable future to continuing its legacy of shaping America’s landscape.

“Zachry began with three bridges outside a border town in South Texas. From that humble beginning grew a business that worked in more than 40 states and 16 countries,” David said. “What remains the same, however, is the one consistent truth in Zachry’s history—the real key is the people. We will face our next century with the same grit, innovation, enthusiasm, and concern for others that led us to where we are today.”