Engineered for Fun: ; Randolph Engineering Celebrates 35th Anniversary with Picnic

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bcalwell@cnpapers.com 304-348-5188 It doesnt take a slide rule to figure out why the family-owned Randolph Engineering has been a Putnam County success story for more than three decades. Exhibit A in that success happy employees, friends and clients was on display Saturday, Aug. 20, at Hurricane City Park, where the company hosted a 35th anniversary picnic. And company founder Roger Randolph wasnt taking it easy at the shindig. He was mopping his brow as he grilled burgers and hot dogs for the assembled crowd. We started back in 1976 in the basement of my house, Randolph said, as he turned burgers over on the grill. Randolph, a 1967 graduate of Ohio University, said his engineering firm has been involved in many projects over the years, including sewer and water plants, subdivisions, commercial-industrial buildings, bridges and highways. We describe ourselves as a general, civil and structural (engineering) firm. We do a tremendous variety of work, Randolph said. After graduating from OU, Randolph accepted a job with Union Carbide at the Tech Center in South Charleston. I worked for them until 1972 and then formed a company called R&R Engineering. From that, in 1976, we formed Randolph Engineering. My wife, Grace, and I started in the basement of the house. Reflecting on the 35-year history of Randolph Engineering, Randolph said his firms success boils down to good people doing good work. Randolph Engineering has earned a reputation for doing excellent work, as evidenced by the amount of repeat business it generates. Ninety percent of our business is repeat work; the longevity of a company is repeat work, and that allows you to grow. We appreciate our clients theyre the ones who keep us in business, he said. Grace Randolph still works in the engineering firm. Weve been married for 45 years, and weve actually worked together for 35 years, and when you stop and think about it, thats a lot of 24-7, Grace said. When they started out in the basement of their home 35 years ago, there was no way they could leave the office at the office because its home, she said. She said working together for so many years hasnt hurt their marriage. Over the years, Roger and I have worked pretty well together. He knows what hes good at, and I know what Im good at, and we try to meet in the middle, she said. Its worked for us, Randolph said. The Randolphs oldest son, Aaron, a structural engineer, is also part of the company. Theres a lot of folks out there who are really struggling in the economy, and were fortunate to have a clientele that has supported us through it, and we have them to thank, Aaron said. Randolph Engineering employee Don Hayes, an associate engineer and professional land surveyor, has been with the company for 33 years. And Roger and I probably go back six or seven years before that, Hayes said. Asked his thoughts on the firms 35th anniversary, Hayes said, Its been a very good 35 years. Its like a family. And then, Hayes said, Lets eat!

Metro photos by BEN CALWELL Roger Randolph, founder of Randolph Engineering in Scott Depot, mans the grill during a 35th anniversary picnic for employees, friends, family and clients at Hurricane City Park.

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Engineered for Fun: ; Randolph Engineering Celebrates 35th Anniversary with Picnic

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