Shop Talk Partner Website

WHEN TALENTED PROFESSIONALS TALK, WE LISTEN.

Admit it, you have an inquiring mind,​ and you want to know about the team building your PARK CITY dream home. ​We understand the inclination. So we decided to bring you Shop Talk, conversations with the talented pros designing, building, and outfitting your homes.

Burks Excavation
Beau & megan Burks

Beau and Megan Burks founded Burks Excavation in 1996. After twenty-two years of riding the wave that is the world of construction, they are grateful to still be serving and supporting the community they have grown up in and love. With a team of industry experts, and a commitment to quality work and customer satisfaction, Burks Excavation remains a vital part of the Wood River Valley’s business community.

What geographic areas do you serve?  
We serve the Wood River Valley, mainly, as well as all of southern Idaho.

Do you have any special certifications or specialties?  
We currently hold a Class B Public Works License, which enables us to bid and complete city- and state-funded projects.  We also carry an advanced septic system license.

What is your professional background?  
I have owned and operated Burks Excavation for over 20 years.  Prior to starting Burks Excavation, I trained with several excavation contractors in all facets of the field.

When did you know that you wanted to go into construction? 
I developed a passion for excavation the first time I ran a piece of heavy equipment.  I was lucky enough to turn my favorite childhood game into a career!

How do you see your industry changing in five to ten years?  
The construction industry has changed significantly, and continues to change.  The pool of qualified operators is decreasing, as more and more baby boomers are retiring, and more and more young people are entering the technology workforce, rather than construction.  Because the cost of living in the Wood River Valley is higher than average, combined with the shortage of available entry-level homes  and rentals, most potential employees are choosing more affordable areas to live.  I currently serve on the board for the Building Contractors Association, and solutions to this issue are being explored on a daily basis.

What projects are you most excited about right now?  
We are fortunate to have several exciting projects going on currently, ranging from a large-scale landscape remodel designed by B.Y.L.A., to excavation and infrastructure for new subdivisions.  We’ll be continuing work on Baldy, as well as the new Employee Residences for Sun Valley Company.  We’re also excited to be doing a project at the former Japanese Internment Camp, a national historical site in Minidoka.

how do you work with clients, designers, and architects?  
One of the most enjoyable parts of my profession is the variety of people I’m able to work with.  We sometimes work  directly with the homeowner, which can involve a certain degree of educating the clients to ensure their expectations are realistic and achievable.  Other times, we work with architects and building contractors and landscape designers, who are representing the project owners.  In most cases, the design work has been completed before we become involved with the project, so we are able to transform the design from paper to earth.

What projects are you the most proud of?  
While we have been lucky to complete many interesting and exciting projects through the years, two stand out for me.  We were awarded the White Cloud Golf Course project in Sun Valley, which presented numerous challenges we hadn’t yet encountered, and turned us quickly into golf course contractors.  Not long after the completion of the golf course, we went south to American Falls, Idaho, where we spent ten months completing the Power County Wind Turbine Project, a 2,500-acre wind farm.  The project entailed all site, infrastructure, and road work for 18 80-meter wind turbines, located in the mountains just south of American Falls.  In total, we moved 750,000 cubic yards of earth, blasted 350,000 cubic yards of rock, of which we crushed 200,000 cubic yards into gravel and used it to build 17 miles of roads.  Additionally, we installed all of the underground and overhead power for the site.  The entire project was completed on time and on budget, and was by far the most challenging and rewarding job we’ve had to date.

What do you enjoy most about your work?  
I thoroughly enjoy my work, almost every single day.  I have an exceptional group of coworkers who add to that sense of enjoyment.  And because we are often faced with extremely risky situations, when a wrong move or decision could have catastrophic consequences, we devote a significant portion of time to safety training.  For this reason, we have formed a bond within the company that feels almost like family.  Looking out for one another and for our clients is simply a way of life, which I cherish.  Equally important to the team in the field is the team behind the scenes, in the office, providing support that allows me to participate in the fun stuff.

How did you get your start?  
In 1996, I bought a pick-up truck, a goose-neck trailer, and a small dozer.  I was officially in business, all by myself.  I quickly realized that my one-man show needed more members, and I worked hard to find the most competent people to join me.  I have been very lucky to find and work with some of the most skilled, dedicated people in the field.

Do you have a favorite sport or recreational activity?
Having been raised in the Wood River Valley, my favorite sport, naturally, is skiing.  I grew up, literally, on Baldy; my father was on the ski patrol for 35 years, so most of my days, and even some nights, were spent on the mountain.  These days, my favorite pastime is watching my three teenage children play hockey.

If you had just one wish today, what would it be?  
Honestly, my wishes have all come true.  I have an amazing family, I have a great business, and I live in Idaho.  If I were forced to make another wish, it would be to have more winters like the one we had in 2016/17, minus a knee surgery, with some more family time in Maui.  But that would all just be icing on the cake.

What do you enjoy most about living and working HERE?
Everything. There’s no place I’d rather live or work.

Last book you read that you would highly recommend?
The Matheny Manifesto:  A Young Manager’s Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life.  I think it should be required reading for all parents of kids who play sports.

Favorite trip ?  
Our favorite family vacation spot is Maui.  We started taking our children there when our twin girls were eight months old, and returned yearly (until the economy did that fun thing).  I have such fond memories from those trips of surfing, playing on the beach, and just being together as a family.

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Ferguson
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
Amy Davie

Whether you’re renovating an outdated bathroom or building your dream kitchen, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery offers the best selection of products from today’s most recognized brands. Their state-of-the-art showrooms and product experts ensure that your kitchen, bath, and lighting selections are perfect for your project.

What services do you offer?
At Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery we offer a wide selection of plumbing fixtures, lighting products, and appliances from today’s top brands. Our knowledgeable product experts provide consultations to customers throughout the selection process.

What geographic areaS do you serve?
Our Hailey, Idaho, showroom services the Wood River Valley and surrounding areas. There are more than 270 Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery showrooms nationwide.

What is your professional background?
I have grown up in the kitchen and bath industry. This is what I have done for more than half of my life.

When did you know that you wanted to go into this field and what motivated you?
I started out in accounting and took a shine to the showroom. The showroom business is fun and challenging to me.

What inspires you?
My clients inspire me. They make this job fun and teach me as much as I teach them.

How do you see your field changing in the next five to ten years?
I think we will see more interactive displays in the showroom. Clients want to understand how a product will function in their home and fit into their daily routine. By offering more functional products in our showroom, especially those with tech integrations, we can better educate customers on functionality.

What projects are you the most proud of?
I am proud of all the projects I have had the opportunity to work on.

Do you have favorite products you prefer or are known for?
Honestly, I love all the products that we offer, from the most complex to the most luxurious.

What wordS do people use to describe your work?
Knowledgeable. I have been in the industry for almost 26 years.

What is the most exciting new product or development in your field?
The development of 3D-printed faucets is exciting technology.

What do you enjoy most about your line of work?
Helping someone put together their dream project is the part I enjoy most about my line of work.

How did you get your start?
I was hired as an accounts payable clerk right out of high school. From that position, I moved to inside sales and then over to showroom sales. I’ve enjoyed the showroom the most.

Do you have a favorite sport or recreational activity, and what do you enjoy about it?
I really enjoy camping. We like to go off the grid if possible, no cell phones, and enjoy nature.

What places in the world do you find most inspirational and why?
Any place in the Caribbean is where I find inspiration. The blue water is very calming.

What is sure to make you laugh?
My husband always finds a way to make me laugh, even in the craziest of times.

If you had just one wish today, what would it be?
I’d wish to have all my family together under one roof again. Life is moving so fast. I miss the joyful craziness of having everyone together.

What do you enjoy most about living and working where you do?
There is something special about the Wood River Valley. The people who live here are truly genuine. It’s a great community.