Raydon Inc. – Finalist

Owner of Breckenridge, Tex.-based construction firm honored for business achievements and industry representation

LAS VEGAS, March 2010 … Darrell Shortes Jr., owner of Raydon Inc. based in Breckinridge, Texas, is among 12 national finalists for Contractor of the Year 2010, sponsored by construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. and leading construction trade magazine Equipment World. Shortes attended the awards banquet February 27, in Las Vegas where the top honor of Contractor of the Year was announced.

Each Contractor of the Year finalist is selected on the basis of company achievements, endorsements from customers and vendors and the contributions the company has made to the construction industry.

Raydon specializes in site work, asphalt paving and repair, pipeline and utility services and material sales. Equipment World editors heard a variety of accolades when considering Shortes. “Darrell has one rule and everybody has to follow it: It’s got to be right,” said Tom Crowder, Crowder Construction.

All finalists received a four-day trip to Las Vegas and attended the NASCAR Sprint Cup race courtesy of Caterpillar, sponsor of No. 31, driven by Jeff Burton for Richard Childress Racing.

“Equipment World magazine is honored to recognize the integrity, hard work, and dedication of these exemplary men and women,” said Dan Tidwell, senior vice president, group publisher of Equipment World magazine. “This group of finalists represents the best of the construction industry. Their success is evidence of the perseverance, drive and strong values they embody.”

Now in its 11th year, the Contractor of the Year is sponsored by Caterpillar, the world’s largest maker of construction and mining equipment; SAFETY.CAT.COM™, which offers an extensive offering of industry-specific safety resources, and Equipment World magazine, the construction industry’s leading trade publication.