Strong client relationships and a motivated workforce drive Gordon Highlander’s impressive growth 

Greg Gordon founded Gordon Highlander in 2007. Lee Sawyer, Vice President of Business Development shares an overview of the company’s development: “It started out primarily as an interior contractor doing tenant improvement projects in the industrial sector. At that point we operated in the State of Texas, up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Since then, we’ve grown into other markets and have offices in Austin, Houston, and in Atlanta, Georgia as well.  

“In 2021, based on client feedback, we began to build a ground up team and started chasing some of those opportunities and building the relationships. For example, we have a project up in Georgetown that we’re finishing up. It’s a big ground up industrial development for Fidelis. We also have a $200 million design-build project that we are finalizing for the city of Austin, which will be their Northeast Service Center. This will be the biggest project Gordon Highlander has ever done. It will comprise of 13 different buildings on a 132-acre site that will house the City of Austin’s Refuse Services and fleet, enabling the servicing of all facilities and running of administrative operations.”  

Lee goes on to more broadly outline the range of projects undertaken by the company: “A lot of our projects involve manufacturing facilities, spec suites and build-to-suits, as well as high-end corporate interiors and retail. We also help on the design side of build-to-suit projects and on spec suite construction, helping the owner speed up the time to acquire materials that are readily available and push the project’s schedule to get the owner in sooner rather than later.  

“In terms of ground up projects, we do a significant amount of tilt wall construction. However, we also have a good variety of projects and different construction techniques within our portfolio.”  

Empowerment & education 

Gordon Highlander’s culture has been one of the driving forces behind its success. Lee outlines the factors that have contributed to the company being recognized as a Top 100 Best Places to Work in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024: “I came from a different company where the culture was very different than it is here. The culture at Gordon Highlander 100 percent revolves around the people and helping each individual live up to their God-given potential. The company enables, empowers and educates, putting people in a position to be successful both personally and professionally. It’s one thing I think that differentiates Gordon Highlander. Its culture focuses on supporting people, not working them to the bone, which is an approach that can be common in the construction industry. Gordon Highlander strives to do what’s best by people.”  

Looking forward to the coming year and beyond, Lee then outlines how the company is on track to achieve its goal of achieving 20 percent growth: “We’re pushing to do around $40 million for the Austin office in new opportunities and projects. Then on the ground upside, we’ll start the $200 million project for the City of Austin. We also have other projects that are slated to start towards the third quarter of this year. That should push us over the $225 million range on the ground upside, and that’s just for Austin.   

“We will also be seeking to expand our reach locally, really pushing our core legacy relationships, and building them out to generate more opportunity from the existing partnerships we have. We have already completed a lot of successful projects with organizations including CBRE, Stream, Prologis, Lincoln Property Company, Stonelake, Tremor, Crow and Ironwood, and will strive to strengthen those existing partnerships. We will also continue to develop new relationships with other associations throughout the industry. Additionally, we are working to build recognition with the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks as well as the Austin Regional Manufacturing Association.”  

Motivated workforce 

As Gordon Highlander moves forward, the integration of strong cultural values and strategic growth plans will play a vital role in shaping its future. By focusing on relationships with clients and within the team, the company is setting itself apart in a competitive industry. The goal of achieving 20 percent growth aligns with the company’s commitment to community-oriented projects, ensuring it succeeds financially and contributes positively to local communities. The upcoming $200 million project for the City of Austin is a prime example of how Gordon Highlander is not just about construction: it’s about creating a lasting impact. By investing in employee development and prioritizing integrity, the company is cultivating a motivated workforce ready to face challenges. As it continues to expand its footprint and strengthen legacy relationships, the company is well-positioned to lead the way in the construction sector. The journey ahead is promising, filled with potential for growth and innovation that will benefit all stakeholders.   

www.gordonhighlander.com