Family/Team Environment

Bulley & Andrews is widely recognized for its family-centered commitment to quality, on-time construction.  Yet, what many may not realize is that the level of commitment which has made Bulley & Andrews such a success, extends far beyond ownership.

Owned and operated by the Bulley family since 1891, Bulley & Andrews maintains a talented, dedicated staff rich in family ties.  From Superintendents to Project Managers, tradesmen to engineers, many of Bulley & Andrews employees have family connections outside the office and away from the job site.

This tradition is best personified with the Sleemans.  A member of the Sleeman family has been on Bulley & Andrews' payroll since 1901.  Thomas Sleeman, the first generation to work at Bulley & Andrews was a carpenter and Superintendent.  In 1919 his son Barrett joined the firm in and went on to become one of the company's most consequential employees. 

Barrett's career with Bulley & Andrews spanned 7 decades and included many notable projects such as Northwestern University's Crown Center, The Northern Trust addition, Ekhart Hall at The University of Chicago, as well as The University of Chicago's laboratory space for the Manhattan Project.  Before Barrett retired in 1986, B&A commissioned a biographer to take Barrett's memoirs.  The result chronicles a career history rich in tradition and dedication to the building trades.

Barret's son, Bob, continued the family legacy, spending over 45 years as a Superintendent for B&A.

Another example of B&A in the bloodstream is the Posthuma family.  When Larry Posthuma, one of Bulley & Andrews' carpenters, was a child, his father, Joe (with B&A from 1940 to 1969), managed Bulley & Andrews' field inventory.  These were the days before B&A had a 'yard' so Joe maintained and stored the equipment on the family's farm in Worth, Illinois.   As a result, Larry grew up with a unique understanding of our business and the industry as a whole.

Relationships such as these are abundant at Bulley & Andrews.  They are central to our ability to provide the type of quality, detailed-oriented service for which we are recognized.   "Our ability to assign 2nd and 3rd generation tradesmen and engineers to projects is a cornerstone in helping us honor our commitment to quality construction," according to Paul Hellermann, President & COO.

Bulley & Andrews takes great pride in providing career opportunities and a work environment that have resulted in such great family legacies.  As we embark on our third century of service in construction, we look forward to future generations joining our team.