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It鈥檚 a truism of the construction industry that the business runs in the family.

And down in Woodburn, there鈥檚 a great example of how that works in Triplett Wellman, Inc.

The company was founded in 1982, when Gene Wellman and Ken Triplett broke off from Woodburn Construction, also a family-owned business that was run by Triplett鈥檚 father. Up until then, both men had been content to work for others. But in part because their skill sets were complementary 鈥� Wellman was a skilled tradesman and Triplett was an experienced estimator 鈥� they decided to strike out on their own into the commercial sector.

鈥淗e met Ken, who was an estimator, and Ken swung a hammer, too, way back when,鈥� said Nick Wellman, Gene鈥檚 son, who now is vice president and chief estimator for Triplett Wellman. 鈥淭hose two developed a relationship and said 鈥楬ey, we鈥檙e making good money for your dad, why don鈥檛 we explore going on our own?鈥欌��

One of their first projects was a church remodel.

鈥淭hat was their moment,鈥� Nick Wellman said. 鈥淗ey, we landed a commercial contract and we made it.鈥欌��

From there the two partners never looked back, and ever since then Triplett Wellman has been a fixture in Oregon contracting circles. Now, nearly 40 years later, Gene Wellman said the secret to the firm鈥檚 consistency and longevity is as simple as taking a man at his word and sealing a deal with a handshake.

鈥淭he respect of people, that was something I learned early on,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith my dad, you honored your handshake. I鈥檝e been burned a few times, but I still believe in working that way. It is tougher these days, but still, if you were to tell me on the phone you were going to do something, I鈥檇 assume your word is good.鈥�

Triplett Wellman has completed more than 800 commercial projects since its inception and Gene Wellman has had a hand in every one of those. From that first church remodel the company pursued different avenues of work before finding its real niche in the education sector around 15 years ago. That鈥檚 where its current focus remains, with projects going strong right now in Woodburn, Tigard and Vancouver, Washington, among other places.

Gene Wellman may have started pulling back a bit in recent years as retirement beckons, but that鈥檚 in part because he can trust that his family has his back.

鈥淚t is satisfying,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ick has worked unbelievably hard. I grew up in the field, so it was a harder atmosphere, but he is a very congenial person. He鈥檚 got better traits than I do. It鈥檚 been nice working with him the last 10 years directly after my partner died. It鈥檚 just been great; I鈥檓 going to miss that part.鈥�

The secret to his longevity, he added, is a conservative approach and treating others with respect. There鈥檚 no time for seeking recognition or glory when there鈥檚 work to be done.

鈥淭o be honest, I don鈥檛 need it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 get my accounts from any awards. If my son鈥檚 happy with me, and I have his respect, I don鈥檛 need anything else.鈥�

The feelings are mutual.

鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed working with him,鈥� Nick Wellman said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e probably butted heads more than anybody because we鈥檙e family, but it鈥檚 been great. He and I have been working side by side on a project in Dayton, and we are on our ninth estimate on that project. His guidance and oversight to help and assist me with the estimating process has been great.鈥�

Most people in the company would say he鈥檚 very personable as well as diplomatic, Nick Wellman added.

鈥淗e鈥檚 a logical thinker, he doesn鈥檛 base his ideas on emotion, which is very good in this industry,鈥� he said. 鈥淜nee jerk reactions can be detrimental.鈥�

It鈥檚 simple, but effective.

鈥淥ne thing that鈥檚 unique, is that since 1982, in one way shape or form, he鈥檚 been involved in every single project,鈥� Nick Wellman said. 鈥淩eviewing financials, going to meetings, or making hard decisions, he鈥檚 had his hand involved with close to 850 projects.鈥�