Peterson Beckner Industries Inc. Receives Founders Award at 15th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year Awards

Business Wire, Nov 1, 2004

WACO, Texas -- Peterson Beckner Industries Inc. (www.petersonbeckner.com) has been chosen as the recipient of the Founders Award at the 15th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year(R) Awards. The award, given by the Institute of Family Business at Baylor University's John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship, was presented to Peterson Beckner Industries Inc. at a banquet on the Baylor campus on Oct. 28, 2004.

The Founders Award recognizes the top family business in Texas that has succeeded in its industry while staying true to the principles and mission of the company's originating founders.

Peterson Beckner Industries (PBI) was established Sept. 1, 1992 as the result of a merger between Peterson Brothers Steel Erection Company and Regional Contracting Corporation. Founded in 1936 by two brothers, Peterson Brothers Steel Erection Company earned an enviable reputation erecting large structures in the Texas Gulf Coast region, and the Houston skyline is a testimonial to the company's unique and specialized talents. Regional Contracting Corporation was founded by C.L. "Chuck" Beckner in 1975 as one of the first merit shop steel erectors in Texas and grew to be a valued service provider for structural steel erection services in the southern U.S. for commercial, institutional and industrial buildings.

In 1986, Beckner teamed up with another investor and later acquired the American Bridge Division of US Steel, based in Pittsburgh, which at the time was the nations largest steel erector. He served as an officer, director and principal until 1991 and after sale of the firm he returned to Texas and merged Regional Contracting with the Peterson Brothers organization.

Since the merger, PBI has expanded its geographical reach to include much of the continental USA and Puerto Rico, and has increased its capacity to handle large, complex projects such as process structures, power plants, manufacturing facilities, bridges, convention centers, sports arenas and stadiums. Currently, two members of the third generation of Petersons and one of the fourth generation work alongside two members of the first generation and two members of the second generation of Beckners. PBI's corporate headquarters are located in Houston, and the company maintains a regional office in Dallas. Larry Peterson was named president and chief operating officer at the end of 2003 and Chuck Beckner now serves as chairman and chief executive officer. Major projects completed in recent years within Texas include structural erection services for the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, the Toyota Center in Houston and the Austin Convention Center Expansion in Austin.

Peterson Beckner Industries Inc. recently received the First Place 2004 Construction Safety Excellence Award in its industry division at the Willis/Associated General Contractors of America awards ceremony, and has won numerous additional safety awards. Over the years Peterson Beckner family members, corporate staff and employees continue to follow the same principles and values that have guided the company since its beginning.