Norman Hubbard and his iron wheeled Pull-Type patrol

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“Back in the ‘30s, the Pull-Type patrol was used for road maintenance,” he said.  “Another tractor would pull the Pull-Type patrol and it was mechanically operated.  The guy running it really had to have lots of muscle.

“I picked up the Pull-Type patrol from a contractor friend of mine.  I really don’t know where it came from, but I know it’s original.”

  Hubbard’s company Hubco Inc. provides site work, underground utilities, stabilization, concrete paving and asphalt paving.

Where were you born, Norman?

I was born in Houston.  The city was a lot different back then.  There have been lots of changes.

What high school did you attend?

I attended Spring Woods High School on Gessner Drive and graduated in 1968.
 
What types of activities did you participate in at school?

I played football and ran track.  I also liked driving my white 1966 Super Sport 396 Chevrolet Chevelle with a red interior.  That was a lot of fun!

Do you remember your first summer job?

During the summers and school holidays, I worked for my dad, Norman Hubbard, who worked in construction.  He had a much smaller operation. 

What type of work did your father do in construction?

He did a little bit of commercial, industrial and some private work.  My dad taught me a great deal about the industry.  I started out on the end of a shovel and worked my way up to operating various pieces of equipment. 

When did you decide to get into the industry?

I knew I wanted to get into the construction industry in between high school and junior college.  I attended South Texas Junior College, which is now a part of the University of Houston system.  I took business classes.

What did you do after junior college?

I went back to work for my dad.  We had a discussion a short time after I was back from school about trying to grow his company.  My mom and dad weren’t interested in getting any bigger, so I went out on my own.  I started my company in 1972. 

What were the early days like?

I worked out of my dad’s place for a while.  I borrowed his hand tools and pickup truck.  I began doing small asphalt repair jobs.

When I landed my first contract, I started doing more commercial site work and asphalt paving.   I have seen a lot of ups and downs in the economy and I have seen a lot of contractors come and go.

Starting out small, I added more people, trucks and equipment through the years.    As time when by, we added a welding and fabrication shop and storage facilities.


When did you move to your current facility?

We moved here in about 1977.  When we first moved, we were on a really tight budget.  We worked out of a portable building that was in front of our current location.  We built the shell of the building and it was unfinished for a while.  Then we finished out the office building once we had the money.

Have you seen the northwest part of town grow since that time?

The areas near Highway 290 have grown tremendously.  I remember when Highway 290 was just a two-lane highway running parallel with the railroad tracks. 

What is the best part about working in the Houston construction industry?

I think the best part of this business is meeting new people.  I have met many construction company owners, engineers and designers over the years.

What has changed in your industry?

Some of the designs have definitely changed for the better over the years.  I don’t use some of the materials that I did when I first got started because they are not available. 

In addition, I think the business is more competitive nowadays.  There are lots more contractors out there now than there was back in the late ‘70s.

Have you had any mentors?

My dad was a mentor to me in the construction industry. I also looked up to my contractor friends.  They helped me out along the way.

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to get into construction?

I think the best place to start is in the field.  There are a lot of things to learn in the field that cannot be taught in the classroom.

Do you think more young people are getting into the industry today?

I think more young people are going towards the computer world.  There are some young people getting into construction, too.  I think if they stick with it, they can be good at it.

Tell me about your family.

My wife’s name is Christine and we have three daughters ages 30, 27 and 25.  When the girls were younger, they were involved in showing Arabian horses.  It think it was a good hobby for the girls when they were growing up.

What are a few of your hobbies today?

I have a ranch out in Artesia Wells, just outside of Cotulla, TX.  I enjoy going deer hunting in November and December.  I have some trophy deer in my office from South Texas, Canada and Mexico.  I also shot a bobcat while hunting in South Texas.

  I enjoyed snow skiing several years ago when my family and I took a trip to Colorado.  I could get up on skis the very first time I tried, but I didn’t stay up very long. 

Are you involved in any construction-related associations?

Yes, I am a member of Houston Contractors Association.  They have a luncheon once a month and a sporting clay event once a year.


What types of books do you enjoy reading?

I mostly read business and trade magazines and industry newspapers I get here at the office.

Where was the last place you traveled?

The last trip I took was to Las Vegas, NV to play a little bit of black jack.  I have been out there a couple of times.  

What is your favorite meal to cook?

I can cook a mean steak on the barbecue pit, as well as beans and baked potatoes.  I’ll cook the meal often at home or at the ranch.

Do you do any gardening?

I don’t much have time for much gardening these days. 


Do you have any pets today?

I have an Australian Shepherd named George.   He is my buddy.  Sometimes I’ll bring George to the office with me.  He mainly stays at the house though.

What does it take to stay in business as long as you have?

We have been up and down probably as many times as anybody else.  When times are tough we try to keep things lean and mean and then when times are better, we build it back.

Do have an annual company event?

Yes, we usually do a fish fry or cook some barbecue once a year at our location.

What kind of music do you like to listen to?

I like new and old country music.  My favorite musicians are George Strait, George Jones, Johnny Bush, Ray Price, Alan Jackson and Rascal Flatts.

Are you going to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this year?

Yes, I am on a committee out there and I will be there every night.  I have a cooking team and we will be there for the World Championship Barbecue Cook off.


What are your future plans for Hubco?

I think there is going to be more work in Houston in 2010.  We are ready for it.  We will gear back up when the timing is right.

We are seeing now that we have more work to bid the second month of 2010 than we had in the last three months of 2009.    –ab