A Family Legacy
Kuharchik Construction, Inc. is a third-generation; family-owned organization that specializes in traffic signal installation, intelligent transportation systems, distribution construction and hydro excavation. They also install and maintain streetscape lighting, highway lighting and airport lighting. Essentially, they do it all.
“My grandparents Walter and Rhoda started the business in 1973 out of their family garage,” says Kuharchik CEO and President, Robert P. Bresnahan Jr. For young Robert, the family business was just about all he’d ever known. “I would ride to jobs with my grandfather, until I was able to work in the warehouse and be a laborer on a crew,” he says. “My grandfather, an IBEW electrician working out of the family station wagon with a ladder strapped to the roof, started by working on residential homes and grocery stores,” he continues. “From there, the company started working on street lighting projects and then transitioned to traffic signal work.”
Keeping PA working.
Today, Kuharchik Construction Inc. is a union contractor that employs over 100 people throughout Pennsylvania. They also have satellite locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Allentown. Since its inception, the company has maintained a steadfast mission — providing quality craftsmanship and outstanding service. They strive to treat customers and employees in a respectful, friendly manner. Above all, Kuharchik Construction aims to always remain a positive influence in the community.
NEPA strong.
Kuharchik Construction has been in business for 48 years, and is continuing to evolve and grow. Their motto — “moving Pennsylvania smarter.” The company maintains its home base in NEPA. And they attribute their steady growth to the region’s availability of skilled labor and central locality. NEPA offers a flexibility and convenience to servicing other parts of greater Pennsylvania that many other regions just don’t have. They’re currently managing major projects in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and State College.
They are unique in their industry due to the mix of services they are able to perform. They have developed a strong supplier pool, which is a great asset in securing the newest technology to suit customer needs. Kuharchik is very excited to continue exploring advancements in their trade, such as automated vehicles. They’re also a member of the Automated Vehicle Coalition.
Paying it forward.
To honor their start in NEPA and to give back to the local community, Bresnahan started “Kuharchik Kares.” The program strategically places portable highway message boards along roadways to promote local nonprofits and their events free of charge. “Through this program, we look to partner with various nonprofits and provide them with additional resources so they can accomplish their great work,” says Bresnahan.
Under Robert’s direction, Kuharchik has donated more the $100,000 to various nonprofit organizations. A few of those organizations close to Robert’s heart are the Wilkes Barre Family YMCA, The Luzerne Foundation, Brighter Journeys, The Salvation Army, The Little Theatre of Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County Historical Society, Wyoming Commemorative Association, The Boy Scouts of America, various Little Leagues, CASA of Luzerne County, Wounded Warrior Project, and Leadership Wilkes Barre. Robert has also provided scholarships to graduates of the West Side Career Technical Center.
Growing up I was blessed with such wonderful educational opportunities, which installed much of my fundamental principles. As for the company’s success, our dedicated team of men and women that truly share our core values makes us who we are. Our greatest asset has always been our people and we are so fortuitous to have such a remarkable team.
Robert P. Bresnahan Jr., CEO/President, Kuharchik Construction Inc.
From one generation to the next.
For Robert, leadership is a quality that has been handed down for generations. “I learned how to operate heavy equipment before my feet were even able to reach the pedals.” He continues, “I would torment my grandparents over the summer until someone would pick me up and take me to a project.” And for Robert, it’s always been all about NEPA. He graduated from Wyoming Seminary and The University of Scranton. To this day, he maintains very close friendships with many of his old classmates. “I had opportunities to attend college out of the area,” he explains. “But I chose to remain close to my family and the business.”
Northeastern Pennsylvania has always been home for Bresnahan. “I wholeheartedly love this place,” he says. “It has given our family everything.” Of course, some of that success came from Bresnahan himself. At 19, he took on the role of Chief Financial officer. He was still attending college full time. In that role, he established a succession plan that would soon carry the company into it’s third generation. “During this transitional period, my time was divided between attending college, running the company, and serving as the Captain of the Men’s Golf Team,” Bresnahan recalls. In the time since, the company has significantly increased revenue, decreased overhead expenses and added more than 65 people to their workforce.
Kuharchik Construction Inc. has become one of Pennsylvania’s largest municipal providers of preventative maintenance, and emergency safeguarding for traffic related incidents. For nearly 50 years, the company has been dedicated to keeping our community safe.
This post was originally published on www.discovernepa.com
