Some companies talk about “the future” like it’s a vague mood board. Verdeterre doesn’t do vague. When we step back and look ahead, we picture real people, real equipment, real projects, and a real culture that still feels like home even as we grow.
A few weeks ago, our leadership team came together for a vision session to map where Verdeterre is headed through 2035. What came out of it wasn’t just a list of goals. It was a picture of who we want to be and how we want to operate as we scale.
Here’s what Verdeterre looks like in 2035 and what we’re building today to get there.
A Culture That Still Feels Like Family
It’s October 20th, 2035. Verdeterre is getting ready for one of the most loved traditions we’ve built: Bring Your Child to Work Day.
Kids line up to try mini excavators and skid steers on Verdeterre’s training course. CJ runs the crowd-favorite mini demolition demo, and her youngest grandchild, now almost ten, is proudly part of it.
That’s not fluff. That’s culture. It’s a company where people can bring their whole lives with them, not just their hard hats.
And it doesn’t stop there.
- Our annual summer outing at Ford Field draws record attendance from team members and families.
- Company meetings take place in the transformed Dan and Mary Brown Event Center (formerly the “old shop”), renovated as a tribute to our roots and the people who built the foundation.
- We’re heading into our fifth annual company retreat at an expanded Meemos Pheasant Farm and Spa, where employees and spouses celebrate success and well-being.
Growth doesn’t mean losing the heart of the company. In 2035, Verdeterre is bigger, stronger, and still grounded in what matters: family, teamwork, pride, and fun.
Professional Development That Creates Leaders From Within
By 2035, Verdeterre’s culture of promoting from within isn’t just something we say. It’s one of our defining strengths.
Through consistent annual check-ins, leadership recognizes growth and creates clear pathways forward. Chelsea leads as Office Manager after CJ’s retirement, and team members step into new roles because the system supports it.
We’ve built comprehensive training manuals for both field and office roles, setting clear expectations and advancement paths. Verdeterre’s “Bid it, Buy it, Build it” philosophy isn’t just a saying anymore. It’s systematized across operations, from laborer basics to foreman leadership, and from estimating fundamentals to project management.
Training and development includes:
- Equipment demos and GPS training
- Operator certifications
- Hands-on education designed specifically for the work Verdeterre does
Leadership growth matters too. By 2035, Dante and Mike have completed their MBAs, helping Chris transition toward retirement confidently and intentionally.
The goal is simple: build a company that stays strong for generations, because people keep getting better inside it.
Quality Work That Runs Like a Machine (A Safe Machine)
By 2035, Verdeterre operates five strong field crews plus a dedicated crushing crew, all delivering consistent, high-quality work. New operators thrive, veteran employees advance, and crews function like well-oiled machines.
The difference is not magic. It’s clarity and ownership.
Every team member knows their role, performs it safely, and takes pride in craftsmanship. Foremen spend more time planning and optimizing because teams are independent, reliable, and trained to execute.
Each crew includes at least one CDL-certified team member, creating flexibility and efficiency.
On the office side, operations run smoothly with:
- Chelsea
- Laurie
- A newly hired Office Specialist
- An intern supporting accounting, HR, payroll, and operations
- Three full-time Project Managers overseeing bidding and project delivery
With upgraded technology, modern equipment, and operational systems that reduce rework, Verdeterre delivers industry-leading results with maximum efficiency.
A Modern Fleet and Materials Independence
In 2035, Verdeterre’s fleet isn’t “pretty good.” It’s fully modernized.
Older equipment has been replaced with high-performance, cutting-edge machines, including:
- A GPS grader
- All-new haul trucks
- Five GPS-enabled skid steers
- Three new dozers (D71, JD750, or CAT D6 class)
- A 352-class excavator for mainline and site excavation
Our crushing operation is upgraded and locked-in:
- Upgraded loaders
- A scale house
- A secure materials yard
- Concrete bay storage
By 2035, Verdeterre’s crushing division supplies our aggregate needs with material like 21AA, 6A, 1×3, and crusher sand, creating cost control and operational independence.
We also invest in smarter protection and tracking:
- Scanner-compatible excavators to prevent utility strikes
- Digital inventory management through Equipment E360
- GPS security systems and cameras protecting every machine
This vision is about capability, but also about control. When you can supply your own material and run a modern fleet, you can deliver consistent quality without being at the mercy of everyone else’s delays.
Verdeterre HQ: A Place Built for Pride, Productivity, and People
Verdeterre’s HQ and shop evolve into facilities that match the excellence of the work.
By 2035:
- Austin and Jake run a highly organized service operation
- The shop includes a wash bay, drive-over service pit, and a 10-ton overhead crane
- Locker rooms with showers and clean clothing storage help crews transition comfortably from field to office
The yard expands, including:
- A scale house
- An upgraded Belleville Road truck entrance
- New land acquisitions to support continued growth
And one of the most meaningful touches: the historic Case 450 dozer, lovingly restored, stands at the property entrance honoring Dan and Mary Brown.
Even the small details matter. Fridays after 5, the kegerator opens. Hard work, camaraderie, and a culture that still feels human.
Safety: The Standard, Not the Slogan
By 2035, Verdeterre has achieved something that is both rare and non-negotiable: ten years without a major incident.
That isn’t luck. That’s leadership, training, and discipline.
Safety remains the cornerstone of our success, reinforced through:
- Practical, hands-on training built specifically around Verdeterre’s work
- Monthly site inspections
- Strong Miss Dig compliance
- Advanced PPE standards
- Recognition and rewards for top-performing crews, including on-site food trucks and annual meeting shout-outs
The reason is simple: protecting our people is the most important job we have. Everything else comes after that.
Financial Success That Rewards the Team
In 2035, Verdeterre’s growth is strong and sustainable.
Leadership reviews quarterly profits that continue to surpass expectations. Annual sales exceed $30 million, while maintaining a healthy 15% net margin and generating nearly $1 million in employee profit sharing.
Profit sharing isn’t symbolic either. Average team member profit sharing exceeds $25,000, rewarding loyalty and performance in a meaningful way.
Verdeterre continues reinvesting in itself, allocating $2.5 million annually toward:
- New equipment
- Fleet upgrades
- Technology improvements
And when the team wins, the team celebrates. This year, Verdeterre marked a major milestone with an all-company Disney Cruise for employees and their families.
This is what long-term success should look like: growth that strengthens the company and the people inside it.
Where This Vision Comes From
This vision didn’t appear out of nowhere. It came from leadership collaboration, honest conversation, and a shared commitment to building something that lasts.
Verdeterre’s 10-year vision is not just about being bigger. It’s about being better.
Better systems. Better equipment. Better safety. Better development. Better culture.
A company built on integrity, innovation, and family.
A team that grows together, works safely, and celebrates success, one project at a time.
Verdeterre 2035 starts now.