Arizona Contractor & Community Fall 2015 V4 I3 | Page 88

Workers in-arms with Steve Johnson fueling 120G blade, 1980s. Digging Through the Archives: RoBil Contracting William Horner W hile driving in east Phoenix last year, I noticed a faded white decal on an old Allis Chalmers grader parked in a construction yard. Closer inspection confirmed it was, indeed, a machine belonging to RoBil Construction. Soon, I was talking to Roman L. Candelaria, the Allis Chalmers owner, who hopped up into the driver’s seat. Even after several months of inactivity, Roman just turned the key to fire her right up! Candelaria shared memories of this half-size grader that performed so well in tight quarters and the company he co- founded, RoBil Asphalt Paving . He started the firm which specialized in small driveways in a partnership with Bill Sudbrack in 1968. Sudbrack contributed cash to the firm ($2,000) while Candelaria supplied a pickup, a small Ford tractor, and a 1953 Chevy two-ton flatbed. The two became friends at Nesbitt Contracting. Candelaria worked with the St. John’s Division and would visit the Valley during slow construction periods. Candelaria and Sudbrack noticed an untapped market for paving and seal coating, and decided to start a business. Roman Candelaria and Bill Sudbrack with Chevy work truck, late 1960s. RoBil Construction employees, 1980s. Eighty eight Fall 2015