Some kids grew up with their hands on video game controls. Nick Bezates grew up with his hands on the controls of his dad’s backhoes, excavators, and dump trucks. That’s how the legacy of this Oregon-based family business began.
Of all the things George Bezates tried to instill in his son, perhaps the most important was the mindset that nothing is impossible. This can-do attitude and unstoppable work ethic have fueled the growth of Bezates Construction over the past five decades.
Initially founded by George in 1982, the firm has since completed hundreds of projects across the Pacific Northwest. Whether installing massive drainage culverts in central Idaho, building jetties out into the tides and waves of the Pacific Ocean, or fabricating complex steel parts in the shop, challenging tasks were always met with enthusiasm. And the guts to do whatever it took to get the job done.
“Carrying on what my father’s built is a really special thing to me. What he has put into it over his lifetime. [I want to] take that and hopefully show my kids. To be able to continue a family legacy. It’s really special to me.”
Nick joined his dad on the jobsite as often as possible, running construction equipment by the time most of his peers were still watching Saturday-morning cartoons. He spent his college summer breaks out in the field, honing the skill set that would serve him later in his career. In 2011, after a few stints as an employee of other heavy contractors, Nick felt it was time to officially continue the family business. So Bezates Construction was reborn as a father & son operation.
The values George passed along to Nick – dedication to quality, pride in a job well done, and a willingness to challenge oneself – are the same values Nick is passing along to his 3 sons. And that’s how the most durable legacies are built. Not with a tally of customers gained or invoices collected, but with guidance, care, and love. Because How It’s Made Matters.
Working construction in the Pacific Northwest means working in any (usually wet) weather. So, when choosing tools, techniques, and workwear, all-conditions versatility is essential. In this video, Nick is wearing the Liberty 8” WP 90° Heel Boot, part of the American Built Liberty collection of work boots. It’s got a waterproof design with a durable leather upper, perfect for tough jobs in even tougher weather.
