When opportunity knocks...

Ashford business entering the next generation of success

By Joann Schrauth - SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

ASHFORD – While some resist change, Chuck Doyle sees opportunity, reaches out and reins it in.

C.E. Doyle, L.L.C., a full service, design/build construction firm on Highway 67 in Ashford between Lomira and Campbellsport, has seen many changes in the 30 years since Chuck began the business from his residence.  Now, the business is looking at another change – transitioning to the next generation.

Chuck said, “I’m about to become that founder’s picture in the entryway.  I come in if called.”

He knows from experience that some customers want to continue dealing with the person they dealt with in the past.

When Chuck looks back, he sees a young bricklayer working as many hours as he could to provide for his wife (the former Sandy Fleischman) and six small children, all the while hoping to save some money to buy the farm where they lived.

He had an idea and a clear business vision.  He went to the bank with his only mortgage able asset, a life insurance policy, and borrowed $1500.

“That’s how the company started,” Chuck said.  Sandy has always been at his side, he said, raising the kids, doing the bookwork and whatever else needed to be done.

Shaking his head, Chuck said, “How she managed the kids, payroll checks, accounts payable, accounts receivable… It couldn’t have been built without her.  What the company is today has a lot to do with the effort she put in.  It allowed us to do the work (while) she managed the rest.”

He added, “She’s always been my partner, in life and in business.”  When told what her husband had said about her, Sandy said, “You do what you have to do.  You get up in the morning and face the day.”

She added, “Chuck was a big help.  He was a disciplinarian and the kids knew it.  A lot of other women do the same thing I’ve done.”

Eventually the business moved to an office in Menomonee Falls and then to Germantown because of the volume of work in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.  As the scope of the business changed, C.E. Doyle, L.L.C. moved to Slinger.

When a man walked in one day and asked to buy the Slinger building, Chuck saw an opportunity to take the business back home to Ashford.

C.E. Doyle, L.L.C. corporate headquarters is now located on Ashford ground that was once owned by Sandy’s family.

From one employee in 1974, the company expanded to include as many as 70 employees.

Seeing a future labor shortage and shrinking profit margins, Chuck shifted gears and downsized.  Presently there is a “core group of 16 employees, with additional labor hired as needed for projects.

Chuck’s son, Dan who is the company vice president, described the core members as “a tight-knit strong group.”

In addition to Dan, is another son, Don.  As project manager, Don physically manages job sites and works with subcontractors, a job which often takes him away from home.  Two other Doyle sons are involved in the company.  Dennis is in the carpentry area and Dave works with masonry.

Continuing education is a must in his business.  Chuck compared education to a toolbox with tools.  But, having the tools isn’t enough; they need to be put to use, he said.

As Chuck steps back, he feels the company is in good hands and he is looking at ways to reward loyal employees.

Anyone who thinks stepping down means Chuck will be kicking back and lying in the sun, has another guess coming.  The opaque stained exposed aggregate tilt-up panels that make up the corporate headquarters will be seeing changes.  Chuck has several in mind to freshen up the building from time to time.  He hints that the change will come this summer.