UCANE Member of the Month: GVC Construction, Inc

Support for deep sewer in Manchester, NH

As the company celebrates its 20th Anniversary, GVC Construction believes versatility is the key to continued growth in the New England construction market.

Deep Construction Roots

Brothers Chris and Mike Valenti were exposed to heavy construction at an early age. As youngsters growing up in Marshfield, they spent their summers and free time working for their grandfather, Sylvester Ray, at Sylvester A. Ray, Inc., where their father, Mike, Sr., was part of Ray’s management team. The young Valentis started in the shop sweeping floors and helping the mechanics with equipment repairs and maintenance. From there, the brothers worked their way up to laborers, pipelayers, and operators on the excavation and sitework crews. Ultimately, Mike, Jr. ended up managing crews and projects with his father, and Chris was gaining experience in the field and in the office.

Those Construction Outlook readers who have been around UCANE and the construction industry for a while might recognize the name Sylvester Ray; a very large and successful Massachusetts contractor for over 50 years before he retired in 1992. Sylvester Ray was one of the original founding members of UCANE in 1954 and served on its Board of Directors in the early years of the Association. During the 1970s and 1980s the Ray family companies grew to include Sylvester A. Ray Inc., Marshfield Sand and Gravel, Southern Redi-Mix, Marsh Construction, and Ray Precast, just to name a few.

Chris’s wife, Geselle Valenti also grew up in a family business. Her parents came from Colombia with a dream of establishing their own business and giving their children freedom and security. Geselle worked in the family manufacturing plant learning how to weld and operate machinery, while also assisting her mother with running the office. She then studied architecture at Boston Architectural Center and Wentworth. Working for various architects in the metro Boston area, Geselle worked her way up from a CAD drafter to Project Manager.

With such great influence from hard working and entrepreneurial families, it is not a surprise that Chris, Mike, and Geselle have put their talent and experience together to create a successful family team and a business to pass down to the future generations. continued on page 22

Venturing Out on Their Own

During the early 90s, the Ray Companies were beginning to wind down. Mike Valenti, Sr. took his talent to the Town of Pembroke as DPW Director (retired in 2019) while Chris and Mike, Jr. took their education and construction knowledge to the marketplace. Mike took his Norwich degree to work with both Kiewit Construction and Modern Continental on the Big Dig (Central Artery Project). Chris took his Wentworth education and started with UCANE member D’Allessandro Corp. and later worked for Webster Engineering Co. Working with these well-known companies, both got valuable experience in heavy civil work and in the water and sewer industry.

In 2000, Geselle established Geselle Valenti Construction (GVC) focusing on architectural design. In 2001, after working for other successful utility contractors Chris decided to join GVC and pursued water and sewer service installations in the Boston and Worcester areas. GVC grew at a steady pace, adding employees and purchasing additional equipment to service their expanding list of clients. To maximize their potential and capitalize on their strengths, Geselle managed in-house operations while Chris supervised the field. In 2003, Michael joined GVC and, with his expertise and experience, helped expand the company.

Developing as a Woman Owned Small Business

GVC President Geselle Valenti saw the benefits of working with the Small Business Association (SBA) early on, and with their assistance and support the company was able to enter the 8(a) program and become certified as a DBE, MBE, and WBE business. “The SBA was instrumental in getting GVC off the ground,” says Geselle. “We didn’t have much work and we were hard pressed to cover the basic costs of our monthly operation. They introduced us to Federal opportunities that enabled us to gain momentum as a business in those early years.”

In 2004, GVC Construction joined UCANE in order to build relationships with members possessing expertise and knowledge of the state and municipal water and wastewater markets. Through these relationships, GVC was able to develop and grow within this market. “We have worked with some great UCANE contractors that I have admired over the years,” says General Superintendent Mike Valenti. “We have learned from them immeasurably and I think most of them are impressed with our capabilities, as well. We have developed some strong relationships and the fact that we have done multiple projects with some of these member’s speaks to the mutual respect we have for each other.” (NOTE: GVC has been an active member of UCANE since 2004. Chris Valenti has served on multiple commitSetting 10-Foot Diameter Manhole at the Norton Pump Station (Photo Supplied by UCANE Member Concrete Systems, Inc.)

GVC Wetland Restoration in Manchester, NH

Crew Installing New Water Mains in Marlborough, MA

Crew Installing New Sewer Main in Manchester, NH

tees and currently chairs the Specifications Committee. Chris has been on the Board of Directors for five years and currently is Secretary of the Association.) Success Through Diversification

According to General Manager Chris Valenti, the company has performed both horizontal and vertical construction work since their inception. “We have developed the capability to perform nearly any type of construction.” stated Chris. “In the beginning we took on any type of project or work opportunity that would pay the bills. We continue to perform a wide range of projects today.” In addition to roadwork, utilities, and site development, GVC has completed commercial buildings, interior remodels, landscape maintenance, and even HVAC projects. Although primarily competing in the heavy civil market, the principals also believe in being diversified and flexible in the types of projects they pursue. According to Chris, “Diversification has allowed our firm to get through some past economic downturns and we expect that it will continue to serve us well in the years ahead.”

GVC takes pride in their employees, many of whom have been with the company since its inception. “We encourage diversity in our workforce,” states Geselle “As a Colombian American and a bilingual individual, I understand the challenges many of our minority employees face.” GVC encourages opportunity for growth through employee education and training. “We are fortunate to have many skilled employees who can adapt to whatever kind of project we have,” notes Mike Valenti. “I think our ability to secure varied types of construction work makes our company more attractive to current and potential employees, as well.”

GVC has performed projects in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. “We look at work throughout New England and are used to traveling,” says Geselle. “Exploring work throughout New England has been beneficial to our growth. We did not want to be tied to the economy of just one state. Also, by exposing ourselves to work in both the public and private sectors, we have built lasting relationships with many clients, vendors, and contractors.”

Recent Workload and Looking Ahead

GVC has long since graduated out of the 8(a) program and is a model success story for the SBA. Operating through the program, GVC was able to impress multiple Federal agencies, many of whom they continue to work with to this day. The company continues to provide subcontractor services to general contractors with whom they have established relationships, but the majority of

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business activity in recent years has been by operating as a general contractor.

The company typically employs about 40 people and runs three or four projects at a time during peak season. They own a fleet of various size excavators, front end loaders, trucks, pumps, compressors, etc. – ready to perform any type of infrastructure project.

It appears that there is no doubt the decision by the Valenti’s to venture out on their own was a good one. The young company has seen its revenues grow at a steady but manageable pace and the owners are always looking ahead. With Mike Valenti, III recently entering the family business, Adriana Valenti studying Civil Engineering at Wentworth, and the second generation of Valentis in the wings, it seems that GVC is well positioned for future success.

We want to congratulate GVC Construction, Inc. on celebrating their 20th Anniversary! UCANE is proud to count them as a dedicated member and we wish the Valenti family continued success for the next 20 years – and beyond!

A Sampling of Recent and Active GVC Projects Include:

Town of Eastham, MA – Contract 11 Water

Mains – $3.2M: 33,000 feet of new 8-inch water mains, valves, hydrants, service connections, bypassing, and paving.

City of Manchester, NH – Phase 2 Sewer Re-

habilitation – $3.7M: Subcontractor to Green Mountain Pipeline for all excavation services for five miles of CIPP Lining; including 2,500 feet of open cut replacement, 40 point repairs, sewer bypassing, 60 sewer manhole replacements, and jacking of 180 feet of 48-inch steel pipe.

City of Manchester, NH – Phase 3 Sewer Re-

habilitation – $7.6M: Prime Contractor for all excavation services for six miles of CIPP Lining; including 4,500 feet. of open cut replacement, 30 point repairs, sewer bypassing, 40 sewer manhole replacements, and cleaning of a 60inch culvert and stream bank restoration. U.S. Navy – Portsmouth, NH – $7.1M: GVC served as a subcontractor for heavy civil work on major rehab to Berth 11 at the Naval Shipyard. Scope included 1,120 feet of Precast three sided 8-foot by 9-foot utility tunnel with CIP roof, foundation pilings, trench support, and electric duct bank.

Bluestar Business Park – Town of Norton,

MA – $4.5M: GVC handled all offsite utilities for new Industrial Park including 1,500 feet of gravity sewer, new sewer pump station, 5,000 feet of force main; including two bridge crossings at Canoe River and Route. 495, wetlands replication, and extensive road reconstruction.

Canoe River Bridge Crossing in Norton, MA

Crew Installing Water Main in Eastham, MA