In his Printing Plus office building in Downtown Salisbury, Palmer Gillis drafted a business plan for what would become Gillis Builders. That August, the company was formed and broke ground on its inaugural projects in Ocean City, Maryland.
Gillis Builders acquires and redevelops the “Synagogue Building” on Main Street in Downtown Salisbury. Shortly after moving into the new space, Tony Gilkerson came onboard as an associate.
Gillis Builders gains credibility as a major construction firm after winning bids to construct a poultry processing plant in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania and the Sheraton Hotel (now LaQuinta) in Salisbury. Dwight Miller and JB Barnes are hired as project managers.
Palmer and Tony handwrite an estimate on the back of a business card while having lunch at Fager’s Island in Ocean City. They called the client, then CEO of Hamburger Hamlet’s, on the spot and won the job!
Tony Gilkerson becomes a partner in the business and Gillis Gilkerson is formed. We also got our first fax machine around this time!
Gillis Gilkerson develops Salisbury’s first office condominium, Power Professional Center, now owned by Salisbury University. At the same time, the firm renovated Salisbury University’s Holloway Hall and began the first of many projects for repeat client, TidalHealth.
The “Bennett Boys” get to destroy “WiHi”… as graduates of Bennett High, Palmer and Tony were all too happy to win a bid that involved demolishing their old rival, Wicomico High. The satisfaction of a job well done paled in comparison to what they felt while bringing it to the ground!
Gillis Gilkerson reaches a milestone! With over 100 field and office staff members, the company outgrew their office at the Synagogue Building. Palmer and Tony acquired and renovated what is now the Gallery Building and moved the team up Main Street.
Brad Gillis, Tyler Barnes, and Joey and Chris Gilkerson begin working as summertime laborers, assisting project managers and superintendents on local job sites. Today, all four will tell you this is where their passion for the industry was sparked.
Tony Gilkerson retires and Dwight Miller is promoted to President of Gillis Gilkerson. At this time, Palmer was still active in the firm, leading its development efforts.
Brad, Joey and Chris form DEVRECO (Development Real Estate Company), an entity used to brand their development projects. At the same time, Tyler accepted a superintendent position in Washington, D.C. In the years following, they gained the knowledge and experience now required to lead the firm.
Palmer and Tony generously donate the Gallery Building to the Salisbury University Foundation, a gift valued at some $4.4 million. Palmer and Tony are pictured with their wives, Sandy and Donna, alongside University personnel.
The redevelopment of Riverview Commons is completed and Gillis Gilkerson moves its office to the second floor where it remains headquartered to this day. Tyler returns to Delmarva, rejoining the team as a project manager and estimator.
Gillis Gilkerson aligns with DEVRECO, fully embracing development as a public service offering. The development team is located on the first floor of Riverview Commons and has grown to include an investment and in-house property management arm.
Tyler Barnes is named the President of construction operations and Dwight Miller assumes the role of Executive Consultant. In August, the firm celebrates 40-years in the construction and development industry!
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