Legacy Building Group founder and president Todd Weaver said he’s not used to being in the limelight. But lately, he’s found himself making speeches and telling his unique story to large audiences.
Since the time Weaver founded the design-build firm in 2002, he’s been busy securing million-dollar projects, getting Legacy’s name on the Black Enterprise 100 and putting his stamp on St. Louis.
“We’ve done a lot in our seven years,” he said, looking up at the Hotel Lumiere’s atrium where a water fountain cascades down three levels.
For his company’s achievements, Weaver will receive the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award on Tuesday, November 10 at the 10th annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon, to be hosted at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton by the St. Louis American Foundation, the RCGA and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
This August, Legacy won fame (and thanks) from city residents when it opened the only full grocery store in Downtown St. Louis. The first urban-style Schnucks Market – offically called the Culinaria – feature a Kaldi’s coffee bar, Downtown’s only current pharmacy and a prepared food/lunch bar.
Since its initiation, Legacy has focused on creating more opportunities for minority subcontractors to get a foot in St. Louis projects, “because that’s what I’ve been given in my life,” he said.
“That’s really how the Legacy brand was derived. The triangle has three meanings: minority inclusion, community involvement and mentorship,” Weaver said.
“Community involvement is with everyone in the triangle trying to pull together to help the community out.”
His company’s mission points back to his life and how he got started. For Weaver, his life changed when he met a man he now considers his father – Robert Clark, chief executive officer and chairman of Clayco Construction.
One day Weaver was walking in his neighborhood and a friend dared him to ask Clayco for a job.
“I was desperate to help my mother out with finances,” Weaver said. “The first person I saw when I walked in the door was Bob.”
Weaver told him about his single mother and life story, and Clark hired him. Weaver started weeding, picking up trash and doing odd tasks on job sites. He continued working there through high school, mostly during the summers.
When he graduated from University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1997 with a marketing degree, Weaver did yearlong stints at Dames & Moore Engineering and Environment Construction and EQE International, working in business development.
Then in 1999, he returned to Clayco as an assistant superintendent, overseeing sub-contractors’ work. He was also put in charge of managing the minority inclusion aspect of the firm.
“Minority inclusion has always been important for Clayco because it’s good for the community,” he said. Weaver took the same work goals with him when he started up Legacy.
The company has generated $80 million since its doors opened.
Legacy has come to specialize in all facets of construction, he said, including carpentry, retail, commercial, drywall and flooring. Especially in this economy, he said it’s important to be competitive, and being flexible and fast is one way that Legacy can differentiate itself from other companies.
Legacy has also branched out to working on projects in other cities, including New York, New Orleans, Kansas City and Chicago.
Legacy sees the value of joint ventures to learn and grow from more established firms. The company has partnered with Clayco on projects, including Casino Queen Gaming in East St. Louis, for joint ventures.
“For the community as a whole – but especially relating to the construction industry – there’s a need for more minorities to take on higher positions to really show St. Louis what diversity is all about,” he said.
“A well-rounded community would show the country that St. Louis is a good place to live, work and play.”
That’s especially important to Weaver as he raises three sons in St. Louis. When asked what his biggest accomplishments are, he first says he’s proud to be a father and a husband. He’s proud that his mother now lives with him, and he’s able to provide and care for her.
“To be in the position I’m in now, I always take a step back and think about the days growing up when we didn’t have any food on the table or electricity,” Weaver said.
“I’m blessed.”
The 10th annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will get started with a networking reception at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 10 at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton, hosted by the St. Louis American Foundation, the RCGA and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Tickets are $75 each for general seating, with table of 10 available for $750; or $100 for Preferred/VIP seating, with a table of 10 for $1,000. For tickets, call 314-533-8000 ext. 305, visit stlamerican.com or email Rbritt@stlamerican.com.
