Month: August 2026

Putting Down Roots in Virginia

When Warfel opened its Virginia office in downtown Winchester in 2022, establishing a physical presence was only the beginning.

The local team started with four employees. Today, 31 team members call the Winchester office home.

But becoming established in a new market takes more than growing a team or completing projects. Experience may open a door, but familiarity and trust are built locally, one relationship at a time.

Over the past several years, that progress has shown up in small but meaningful ways. Conversations that started with introductions now begin with familiar faces. People recognize Warfel’s projects, trucks, and team members. Business conversations sometimes start by asking about families and kids.

Those moments are difficult to measure, but they matter.

Opening an office may give you a place in a market. Becoming part of that market takes time.

Looking for Clients, Not Projects

The Shenandoah Valley is a relationship-driven region, which aligns closely with the way Warfel approaches its work.

As Steve Davis, Vice President of Virginia, puts it:

“We’re pursuing clients, not projects.”

It is a simple way of describing the thinking behind Warfel’s Clients for Life® mission: focus on the relationship first and earn the opportunity to continue working together over time.

Sometimes that means helping a client develop a budget for a project that Warfel may never build. Other times, it means returning after a warranty period has ended or helping work through an issue outside the original scope.

The goal is not to turn every interaction into another project. It is to be the kind of resource a client feels comfortable calling when they need help.

That trust matters even more when construction does not go exactly as planned. Projects bring changing conditions, difficult decisions, and problems that need to be worked through together. Strong relationships make room for honest conversations about what is happening, what comes next, and how the team will respond.

Over time, those relationships can create opportunities that were never part of a pursuit plan.

One recent church project, for example, was not originally on Warfel’s radar. The organization reached out after speaking with another client about their experience working with the team.

For a company still growing in Virginia, referrals like that mean more than another opportunity. They show that one relationship created enough trust for another conversation to begin.

Using the Right Tools to Help Clients Move Forward

The tools used to deliver construction continue to change, but what clients need from their construction partners has not changed nearly as much.

They want clear communication. They want transparency. They want to understand the decisions before them and feel confident that the people around the table are working toward the same goal.

Technology is most valuable when it supports those fundamentals.

On a recent prospective project, a client wanted to move quickly but lacked an accurate record of the existing building. Warfel’s in-house Matterport capabilities provided a practical solution: scan the space and give the architect better information to begin design sooner.

The value was not simply the technology itself. It was recognizing an obstacle the client was facing and finding a way to help remove it.

For Steve, that’s an important part of how Warfel continues to approach growth in Virginia: use the tools available but keep the focus on what helps the client make better decisions and move forward with confidence.

What a Long-Term Relationship Can Become

Warfel’s relationship with Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury offers one example of what that approach can look like over time.

The relationship began with The Villas, a significant project on the Winchester campus. Since then, Warfel has had the opportunity to return for nearly a dozen additional projects of varying sizes.

But the number of projects is not what makes the relationship meaningful.

Each return to campus deepens understanding of how the community operates, what matters to its residents and staff, and how construction can be coordinated in a place people call home.

The relationship has also grown beyond construction through events, sponsorships, and volunteer involvement. Steve describes SVWC as a high bar for the kind of client partnership Warfel hopes to continue building throughout Virginia.

That same long-term thinking applies to the team Warfel is building locally. As employees grow their careers in the region, they also develop deeper relationships with clients, trade partners, organizations, and communities.

For Steve, that continuity is an important part of what success in Virginia looks like.

Still Building

Growth in a new market can be measured in employees, projects, and opportunities. Some of the most meaningful signs take longer to see.

A client calls again. A referral arrives without being pursued. A team member grows into a new role. A professional connection becomes a trusted relationship.

Warfel is still building its presence in Virginia, and there is more to learn.

The goal is not simply to do more work here. It is to listen, invest in the people and communities already here, and earn the opportunity to keep building alongside them.

 

Celebrating 55 Years of Combined Service: Andy Bechtold and Craig Hartz

This month, Warfel Construction is proud to celebrate two significant career milestones: Andy Bechtold’s 30 years of service and Craig Hartz’s 25 years with Warfel.

Together, Andy and Craig represent 55 years of craftsmanship, growth, mentorship, and commitment to the people around them. Both began their Warfel careers as laborers and built their careers by learning from others, taking on new challenges, and eventually passing that knowledge along to the next generation.

Andy Bechtold: 30 Years

When Andy Bechtold first joined Warfel 30 years ago, he didn’t necessarily expect it to turn into a career.

What began as a temporary job took a different direction when coworkers encouraged Andy to join Warfel’s apprenticeship program. He took their advice and began a career that would eventually include roles as a laborer, apprentice, carpenter, project engineer, acting foreman, and, once again, as a carpenter.

Over three decades in construction, Andy has also watched the way work gets done change considerably. Technology has become part of nearly every aspect of the industry, although Andy admits there are some things from earlier in his career he still misses, particularly paper blueprints.

Learning From Experience, Sharing It Forward

One thing that hasn’t changed is the value of learning from the people around you.

Two people Andy credits with having a significant influence on his career are Mike Wirth and Bobby Singer, who he describes as both exceptional carpenters and people. Working alongside them taught Andy the importance of doing things the right way and doing them well.

It’s a lesson he now hopes younger team members take to heart.

“When the experienced people around you take the time to teach you something, listen,” Andy shared.

After 30 years, some of Andy’s greatest pride comes not from one particular project, but from seeing the people he has helped along the way. Watching team members he has mentored grow into leadership roles throughout the company has become one of the most rewarding parts of his career.

His advice for those beginning their own careers in construction is equally straightforward: “Be ready to work. The reward will come, but you have to earn it.”

And while three decades have brought both rewarding and challenging projects, Andy says the people beside him have made the difference.

Craig Hartz: 25 Years

Craig Hartz’s Warfel story began in 2001. At the time, he was considering two very different paths: joining the United States Marine Corps or pursuing an opportunity at Warfel, where his uncle, Jeff Fishburn, worked.

He chose Warfel, beginning as a laborer on his first assignment, a residence hall project at Ursinus College.

Twenty-five years later, Craig has grown into roles he never imagined for himself when he first walked through the door.

“For me, it’s starting as a laborer and, through my own effort and a lot of help from great people around me, having the chance to grow into roles I never saw for myself when I started,” Craig shared. “Reaching this quarter-century milestone while still feeling excited about the work and the team is something I don’t take for granted.”

A Career Built on Craftsmanship

Among the projects Craig has contributed to, the Georgelis Law Firm office stands out as a particularly proud accomplishment. The project earned national recognition from Associated Builders and Contractors for the millwork installation completed by Warfel carpenters.

For Craig, however, the recognition was only part of what made the project special. It represented the quality craftsmanship, coordination, and attention to detail that went into creating a finished product the client could be proud of.

His perspective on what makes a project successful has also evolved throughout his career.

“It takes a team to do what we do and to do it well,” Craig said. “Technical skill matters, but the way you treat your team, trade partners, and clients determines long-term success.”

Learning, Leading, and Passing It On

Early in his career, Craig was heavily focused on getting the work done right. Over time, he learned that listening to, supporting, and developing the people around him can have an even greater impact. Today, that lesson influences his approach to hiring, training, and day-to-day leadership.

Craig credits many people with helping shape his career, including Matt Hartzler and Conlan Swope, whose trust and leadership have had a lasting impact. He also points to the superintendents, foremen, and teammates he has worked alongside who taught him the practical side of the trade and the importance of looking out for one another.

The Warfel Craig knows today also looks considerably different from the company he joined in 2001. He remembers an organization of roughly 50 team members and one office. Today, Warfel has grown to approximately 290 team members across four offices.

Through that growth, the value of learning from others remains central to the advice Craig would give someone beginning their career today.

“Show up every day ready to learn, work hard, and help the people around you,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions or take on the next challenge that will stretch you. The opportunities are here if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, and stay patient while you grow.”

Outside of work, Craig enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, Alicia, and their son, Bryce.

Built Through Experience, Shared With Others

While Andy and Craig have taken different paths throughout their careers, their reflections share a common thread: neither career was built alone.

Both credit experienced coworkers and mentors with teaching them their craft, challenging them to grow, and helping them along the way. Decades later, they have become those experienced teammates for others — sharing what they’ve learned and helping the next generation build careers of their own.

Congratulations to Andy on 30 years and Craig on 25 years with Warfel. Thank you both for your craftsmanship, dedication, and the impact you continue to make on our team!