Builder & Remodeler
July 2006

Father’s Day Remembered By: Nancie A. Balun-Boughton, MIRM, CSP

Father’s Day was celebrated on the 18th of June. Congratulations to all the wonderful fathers who may be reading this story!

To truly understand how much “Construction Dad’s” contribute to their sons and daughters, meet three very special children who were nurtured by their father’s strong work ethic and passion for the construction industry and in the process learned how to appreciate each other through respect, honor, and perseverance.

For 34-year-old Charles Baldanza son to 61-year-old Lou Baldanza, construction is a way of life for the entire family. Lou began working with his father, a second-generation contractor, in 1970 after graduating business school. Lou’s wife, Linda, joined the company in 1992 and son Charles in 1994. Together they are Baldanza Construction, a custom home building company located in Park Ridge, New Jersey.

Baldanza , known for using three dimensional technology to help their clients envision their new home, is currently building Bear Rock Estates in Montville (Morris County). Father and son are active members of the Builders & Remodelers Association of Northern New Jersey with Lou a past president of the association.

Lou Baldanza’s son Charlie, one of three children, has fond memories of summer work with his father during his teen years while on clean-up duty for two dollars an hour! “I learned to acquire a real good work ethic during those easy years”, explains Charlie. It wasn’t until after college, with a teaching degree in history, that Charles realized he wanted to get involved with his dad’s business-he was 22 years old. Today, Charlie is the vice president of operations, married and has a toddler named Louis, after grandpa of course, and has lunch at work with his father almost every day. On Father’s Day, it is also Lou’s birthday, making their party that much more special.

“My father and I work well together; he is a very kind and nurturing man who has taught me the business from the ground up. And he continues to teach and amaze me with his subtle, instinctive actions and problem-solving skills,” continues Charlie.

Of course, it’s not always easy being the bosses’ son as Charlie sees it. “ The worst is when colleagues see you doing well, but attribute that to you having everything handed to you. And if you mess up, everyone thinks you’re not cut out for the business. In essence, you can’t win! You simply have to take those thoughts and get past them and not worry about what others who work with you think. You must learn to be successful in your own way”.

Charlie also knows you hard it has been for his dad, recognizing that being a developer requires a depth of knowledge, hard work and determination. “ The public does not always see the developer as the good guy with high moral values and character. But I know my father has cleaned up a lot of ugly, run down sections of Rivervale , from example, and I hope that people will remember his legacy of building, for he has built so many beautiful homes, created dozens of wonderful neighborhoods, as is a man of good integrity and reason as I hope to be too!”

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