David Evans (pictured right with his family), BYU-Hawaii alumnus and owner of Evans Construction, was selected as one of Pacific Business News 2009 Forty Under 40 and was named Best Contractor of the Year from Home Depot two times in a row.
When asked how he was nominated for Forty Under 40 Award, Evans said, "I don’t know. They just called me and told me that I had been nominated. But I guess it’s because we work hard. In our company, we do lot of business and building of houses, but we also give back to the community. So that may be why."
Those that were nominated for the award had to be less than 40 years and must be recognized industry leaders with a consistent take-charge attitude and have impacted a number of people on the island. Evans entered BYU–Hawaii on a full-ride scholarship for basketball. He started school in 1994 and played for one year, then he was off to Alaska for the next two years to serve his LDS Church mission. He came back to Hawaii in 1997 and graduated in 2000, majoring in exercise sports and science.
"David was an amazing basketball player—very entertaining to watch. Not only did he excel on the court but he also was the top of his class academically," said Elika Daley, an employee at Evans Construction. BYU–Hawaii definitely contributed to the type of person Evans is today. He said he learned a lot of life skills by being a student-athlete. Plus he said BYU–Hawaii is such a unique campus, very diverse, and has a lot of opportunities that other universities cannot offer.
Evans (pictured in a close-up with his little boy) started Evans Construction more than five years ago. When he first started the company, he said it was just Evans, his truck, a limited amount of tools, a few employees and his work ethic that got his company going. But little by little the company has grown and now he has more than 25 employees. He still puts in long days but said he loves it because he is helping local residents build their dream homes.
"I think a lot of things contribute to David achieving these different awards as a business owner,” said Daily. “David gives everything he has to his clients. He makes himself available for them and builds their home as if he were building his own."
"David has an amazing work ethic and he is very optimistic and is genuinely a concerned person that wants the best for his clients, friends and family," she said. "He also gives back to the community when he can and is always there to help. He is a great example of hard work and dedication to achieving goals, and that is what makes David what he is."
Having a bachelor's degree and a master's in exercise and sport science, Evans was going to be a professional coach. But things changed when he bought a home here in Hawaii, fixed it and started helping others fix their homes. When asked how he was able to succeed despite the fact he did not major in the construction field, Evans said, “You just need to find out what you love doing, and if you have the desire to be successful, then you will be successful at it.”
Evans added that his future plan is to continue with Evans Construction and enjoy his family and friends. In advising students who are interested in the field of construction, Evans said, “Work hard. Be ready to work for long hours. Humble yourself to be teachable when you enter the field because there is a lot to learn, and try to be skilled at what you do.”
A recent project Evans Construction has worked on
--Photos courtesy of David Evans