Legacy, Loyalty & Leadership: Insights From Paul Risk Construction

Tucked away in the rolling farmland of Quarryville, Pennsylvania — where Amish buggies clip-clop past fields of corn, and history whispers from every barn — Paul Risk Construction (PRC) stands as a fourth-generation, family-owned construction firm rooted in tradition, yet boldly charging into the future. For DJ Risk, who officially took the reins of PRC in 2016, leadership is about much more than blueprints and beams: It’s about people, purpose and passion.

Founded in 1933, PRC began as a humble venture by DJ’s great-grandfather. The business temporarily closed in 1968 when Paul (DJ’s grandfather) returned to steer farming. Thanks to a few friends and some serious belief in his potential — most notably Jim Latta of A. Duie Pyle and James Herr of Herr Foods Inc. — Paul found himself back in business. The stories of those first projects, built on trust and handshakes, have become Risk family lore.

“I heard my dad tell those stories so many times growing up, and now I’m the one sharing them with clients,” DJ said with a laugh. “That moment when Mr. Latta told my grandfather to sit in his chair and build the trucking terminal like it was his own — that’s the legacy we’ve carried forward.”

Today, PRC is a full-service, boutique construction firm employing 40 team members and completing about 40 projects per year. Their portfolio spans commercial and industrial spaces, educational facilities, religious and cultural institutions, and health care and residential living communities. But no matter the scope or style, DJ says every project is personal.
 

Built on Core Values

PRC’s tagline might as well be “People, projects, profit — in that order.” That’s how DJ sums up what he learned from the generations before him. “If you take care of your people, they’ll take care of everything else,” he said. That commitment shows up in everything from PRC’s deeply rooted client relationships — like their 14th building with Shannondell at Valley Forge — to their 55-year membership with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Keystone Chapter.

Internally, their core values — safety, integrity, relationships, communication, action, passion and community — aren’t just words on a wall; they’re commitments lived daily.

“We’re a family-first company,” DJ said. “That means I want our people at their kids’ games. I want them to get their 40 hours in and get out — go fishing, be with their families. Burnout isn’t worth the cost.”

The company also conducts biannual GROW meetings with every employee, supporting both personal and professional development. “Watching these ‘kids’ come out of trade school, grow up, become superintendents, start families — it’s like watching your own kids grow up,” DJ said. “We want them to thrive, not just clock in.”

From Concept to Completion

One of PRC’s key differentiators is its approach to project management. There’s no handoff between departments. Project managers are responsible from start to finish, managing everything from preconstruction to final walkthrough. This ensures accountability, builds trust and forms real relationships with clients.

“We’re not in the transaction business — we’re in the legacy business,” DJ said.

A Culture Champion Returns

In January, PRC welcomed back a familiar face: Jacob Keeler, returning as vice president (VP) of culture and growth. Jacob first joined the company in 2017 as VP of marketing. His return symbolizes PRC’s recommitment to a people-first culture.

“When Jacob was here, our rally cry was “Make it happen,” and things just clicked,” DJ recalled. “We had momentum, a pulse. After he left, some of the cultural initiatives fell off. We’re excited to get that spark back.”

Jacob’s role will be both internal and external, overseeing all things people and culture — something PRC takes seriously as it looks to “activate the great” through the launch of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).

“In a world where good enough has become the norm, why can’t we be great?” DJ asked. “Construction is one of the few industries where your work can literally stand for generations. That’s legacy. That’s what we’re building.”

Mental Health in the Spotlight

Perhaps one of the most compelling parts of DJ’s leadership is his openness about mental health. “Had my father explained the mental toll this job can take, I might’ve thought twice about joining,” he admitted. “But now I’m here, and I’m learning how important it is to talk about it.”

The weight of running a construction company — especially through the COVID-19 pandemic and industry slowdowns — hasn’t been light. DJ described hitting rock bottom in 2023, balancing a lawsuit, a lull in projects and personal stress while trying to hold everything together for the 40 families depending on him.

“I started seeing a therapist, and it’s been a game changer,” he said. “I tell all our guys that our brains and hearts are the most important muscles we’ve got, and we’ve got to take care of them.”

PRC’s renovation of New Hope Counseling Center was especially meaningful, DJ said, because it felt aligned with the company’s values and his personal journey. “When I shared the stats on suicide and addiction in construction at the groundbreaking, the room went quiet. People just don’t realize how serious this is.”
 

Bring Your Dog to Work? Every Day.

Not all stress solutions are clinical — some have four legs and wagging tails. What began as DJ bringing his puppy to work on Fridays 16 years ago has grown into a full-on “doggy daycare” at PRC. Resident dogs Dash, Twyla and Winnie roam the halls, offering comfort and a welcome distraction when the days get heavy. “Who doesn’t want to play with a dog when you’re having a bad day?” DJ asked.

More Than Just Builders

Ultimately, PRC isn’t just about buildings: It’s about the people who build them and the communities that benefit from them.

“We’re storytellers,” DJ said. “Construction is just the vehicle we use to share people’s stories — how a project came to be, who it serves and how it will impact lives for years to come.”

From the skate parks where DJ’s kids now play (built by his dad 25 years ago) to retirement communities that house generations of families, the Risk family name is quite literally built into the landscape of Pennsylvania.

And as DJ looks ahead, he’s more focused than ever on the people behind the projects. “You win some, you lose some: But when you walk a completed job, and see the smiles, the pride, the purpose — it makes everything worth it.”

Legacy, after all, isn’t just measured in concrete and steel. It’s written in relationships, in values passed down, and in the quiet moments when a father points out a building to his child and says, “We built that.”