US contractor wins a John Deere excavator in ‘Building America’ contest

The nationwide competition saw Rector selected after a public vote involving three finalists.

The competition, in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, aimed to celebrate construction businesses whose work supports communities across the United States.

Rector Excavating will use its new machine for its work on water, storm sewer, site development, and other infrastructure projects throughout northern Kentucky.

Patrick Rector, co-owner of Rector Excavating, entered the family-owned business into the competition. His father started the company in 2000, with Patrick joining full time after high school, progressing from operator and labourer to foreman, before taking on estimating, customer relationships, and crew management responsibilities alongside his father.

Rector said his team has installed thousands of feet of waterline for people who previously relied on wells, cisterns, or hauled water, while the company’s stormwater projects help protect homes from flooding.

The new excavator will be put to work on a project replacing stormwater infrastructure in a neighbourhood where runoff has created flooding concerns for nearby homes. The project will require installation of 36-inch storm pipe and deep manholes.

“That’s the thing about building America, you’re really here to make your community better than it was when you showed up,” said Rector. “I feel grateful that I’m in a position to give back to the community and get the younger generation involved with the trades.

“Doing a good job here and representing excavating can help bring people into the trades who maybe never thought about it before. It’s important for the next generation to keep going, give back to the community and get younger people involved.”

Jon Gilbeck, global marketing manager, excavators, John Deere. “The work Patrick and the Rector Excavating team perform helps provide families, schools and communities with the infrastructure they rely on every day. Their commitment to their customers, their community and the next generation embodies exactly what we hoped to celebrate through this contest.”