The Alaska Contractor - Summer 2008

55, Ken says he has worked for the
business on and off since junior high
school, 30 years total, and of that time
20 years was spent working under
his father’s direction before Hector
passed away four years ago. He assumed
the managerial responsibilities
in the early ‘80s when his father
retired and the business became a
family corporation.
Although working with family has
advantages and disadvantages, he
says, the trade-off of having control
over the business and their personal
livelihoods is worth working through
any sibling conflicts that ever arise.
At the same time, he says, he doesn’t
have anything to compare it to.
Whether he was sweeping floors,
“cutting stuff,” or drilling, “the company
has always been at the front
door,” Therriault says, adding that the
only two breaks he has taken from
the family business were to earn his
civil engineering degree at the University
of Alaska Fairbanks – he is
also a welder himself – and to work
seasonal construction for about four
years, before realizing that his family’s
business was some of the most
interesting work and probably one of
the best opportunities.
Although his father was one of
his greatest influences, especially in
the area of work ethics and employee
and customer relations, Therriault says
a lot of what he learned was simply
from being exposed to the industry
and the business for so many years. It
becomes so second nature, he says, it
is difficult to discern between what he
naturally knows and what he continues
to learn.
Even after more than 50 years in
business, Hector’s Welding contin-
Hector and Jeanette
Therriault and their
seven children have all
worked for the family
business at different
times over the past 51
years. Ken’s dog Ginger
was responsible for
greeting customers as
they entered the shop
and had a special
bond with a few, select
customers.
Back row, from left: Ken,
Bonne, Laura, Donna,
Eugene
Middle row, from left:
Dwayne, Jeannette,
Hector, Ron
Front row, Ginger
ues to look for new ways to improve
and grow the business. In addition to
investing in new technology and shop
processes, Therriault says, Hector’s
Welding also joined Associated General
Contractors six years ago and especially
values the opportunities to network
with other businesses in the industry
and to track industry bids by using The
Plans Room.
Heidi Bohi is a freelance writer and
marketing professional who divides her
time between Anchorage and Arizona.