Most importantly, he still feels accountable to the generations that came before him. For Richard, construction has never simply been a business. It has been a responsibility. Ahrens Companies traces its roots back to 1844, making it one of the oldest continuously operating family construction businesses in America. Six generations have carried the family name through wars, economic downturns, technological revolutions, and the transformation of the construction industry itself.
When asked what legacy means to him today, Richard's answer comes quickly.
"I have a responsibility of previous generations. I have to maintain the standards—being very transparent, above board, and honest."
Those standards were not learned in a boardroom.
They were taught by a grandfather who only had a sixth-grade education, yet held multiple patents and built a remarkable life through determination and ingenuity. They were reinforced by a father who believed that character mattered more than titles. Together, they shaped a philosophy that still guides Richard today. "Life is not free. You have to work hard. You have to be compassionate. You have to be trustworthy and not take advantage of people in life."
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