Choice Business Leader of the Year’. Despite a career spanning more than two decades, Shawn shows no signs of slowing down. His vision for the next three to five years centers on continuing to work on projects that give back to the community. This includes initiatives addressing homelessness, addiction recovery, and children’s causes. Yet, he has no intention of selling the company. “I think I would shut it down before selling it,” he says. “It’s something I created, and to think of it going into somebody else’s hands would be heartbreaking. It wouldn’t serve the legacy well.” Ultimately, there’s a lot that sets Stratford Contracting apart, but Shawn believes the biggest thing is their commitment to being there for the community. As part of that, he emphasizes their accountability: “Nobody’s infallible. We make mistakes, things happen,” he says. “But it’s how you respond to that that makes people happy and builds reputation. People want to partner with you because they know you’ll be there with them during and after the project. It’s never about the check – it’s about keeping the client happy and delivering what you promised.” SEPTEMBER 2025
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