Cory Lacey: A Fortunate Foundation
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
SANTA ROSA — Looking back on his 26-year career in the construction industry, Cory Lacey credits much of his success to a fortunate foundation. “When I got into construction in my early teens, I was fortunate enough to train with a group of seasoned industry veterans who worked in the high-end market,” he details. “I started out working on multimillion-dollar homes in areas like Belvedere, Tiburon and Sausalito, so I consider myself very lucky to have had that kind of introduction.”
Cory didn’t take his advantageous introduction for granted; rather, it motivated him to work even harder. “I realized I was passionate about construction right away, so I was driven to strive for excellence in everything I did, and that propelled me to where I am today,” he says. “During my career, I’ve worked with several high-end builders on all different forms of construction, and I
was also a superintendent for a major developer. So, I’m very comfortable in all facets of construction, from track homes to mansions to large commercial projects.”
In 2018, Cory achieved his lifelong goal of starting his own construction firm. Today, as owner of The Lacey Construction Company, he says his favorite part of his job is giving his clients the most value for their money. “Whatever the customer’s budget, I try to stretch their dollar and give them the best quality possible. In general, I recommend that they use mid-grade or high-grade materials that will last longer and give them a better investment return. For those with limited budgets, I’m able to find creative ways of giving them more bang for their buck.”
A resident of Santa Rosa (where he lives with his wife, Shaleena, and their three children), Cory spends his time outside of work on a variety of pastimes. “We love going to the beach, both here in California and in Hawaii, which is our favorite vacation spot. We spend a lot of time outside biking and skateboarding, as well as snowboarding in the winter and boating in the summer. I also enjoy working on cars and basically any kind of project that involves working with my hands.”
In regard to his life and career, Cory says he maintains a family focus. “Family is everything to me. My parents divorced at a young age, so I felt the effects of that and always wanted to have a big family. My employees and customers know that family is also a focal point of my business. If one of my employees ever needs time off, a loan or even a hand at home, they know I’m here to help them. I don’t want to just be the boss or for this to just be about a paycheck. That’s why I always try to instill every aspect of my life and business with a sense of family.”
When asked what he would do if he were to retire tomorrow, Cory says he’d hit the road. “Looking back, my wife and I wish we would’ve traveled more before having kids, but we were busy with other things. So, as soon as the kids are grown, that’s what we plan to do. I imagine we’ll start with a road trip—get a big RV and drive all around the country. After that, we’ll go international and start checking some places off of our bucket list.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Tokyo, Japan.
Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
A: The San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors.
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: I’m an early bird.
Q: What’s your favorite book?
A: “Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice From the Best in the World” by Tim Ferriss. That book changed my life.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Go out and play in the rain with my kids.
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