Who We Are
Building Peace of Mind
We build peace of mind. We build it through structures and relationships with trust, dedication and collaboration. We are innovative and excited by possibility, yet purposeful and grounded in a tradition of excellence. We seek lasting partnerships with our people and our clients. We take visions and make them tangible. We ask big questions and analyze small details. Our partners and friends know they can count on us. We don’t do ego. We do teamwork. We care about success and happiness. We care about peace of mind.
Our Leadership
Paul Schulz
“We’re truly in a service industry. Its about the service we provide. Its about people. When you hire a contractor you’re together for the long-haul. You should enjoy the process and trust your partner. That’s what we give our clients.”
Paul Schulz, Principal, Pence Construction
It could be said that Paul’s greatest skill is his ability to nurture long-lasting relationships. With peace of mind at the heart of how we do business at Pence, Paul embodies that spirit with attention, knowledge and communication. Paul listens and applies what he’s learned to every project and every person.
His style of relationship-based leadership was formed in his early years at Pence (formerly Pence/Kelly Construction) while watching owner Curt Pence. In 1994, after earning his degree in Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University, Paul came to work for Pence/Kelly Construction. In 2007 he was invited to become a partner at Pence.
Our clients have come to rely on Paul’s foresight, experience and ability to anticipate their needs. Paul’s dedication to building strong relationships and quality structures allowed him oversee all manner of projects, including Higher Education, Retail, Multi Family Housing, Senior Living, Healthcare and Community Centers.
His goal is to give every client a strong, quality building and an enjoyable, stress-free construction process.
Dave Hays
“People come to us because they have a project and a vision they need to make real. Our job is to help them get there. We’re not just a general contractor. We provide expertise and help clients create budgets and assign goals to make their project a reality.”
Dave Hays, Principal, Pence Construction
Working with Dave brings an immediate sense of confidence, and peace of mind that your project is on the right track. After more than three decades of construction experience, Dave is a guiding hand from start to finish.
Dave got his start at Pence Construction (formerly Pence/Kelly Construction) after earning his Construction Engineering Management degree from Oregon State University in 1990. His diverse experience includes commercial, institutional and industrial construction and he has spent much of his career in the Willamette Valley region of Oregon. From his days as an intern for Pence Kelly to his current role as a principal for the firm, Dave has displayed a commitment to empowering his teams to exceed client expectations.
His goal is to lead by example with integrity and trustworthiness for the benefit of clients and team members alike.
Oregon Owned & Operated
From the beginning Pence Construction has been an Oregon-owned and operated company. Back in 1949, Dale Pence Contracting’s mission was to build structures noted for their craftsmanship and client relationships based on trust. With over 65 years in the business and offices in Portland and Salem, Oregon, Pence is consistently ranked one of the top General Contractors by the Portland Business Journal. Our Oregon roots may be the origin story, but Pence’s quality of work has been recognized by clients across the nation. With jobs in Washington, Montana, California, Alaska and North Dakota, we are poised to stay strong and continue growing.
Innovative
Our team includes some of the most experienced construction professionals in the industry, with an understanding of the unique aspects of every client’s project.
Trustworthy
Our team includes some of the most experienced construction professionals in the industry, with an understanding of the unique aspects of every client’s project.
Approachable
Our team includes some of the most experienced construction professionals in the industry, with an understanding of the unique aspects of every client’s project.
“The complexity of completing building projects like ours and seeing it through to completion where the customer is 100% satisfied is not an easy task considering the communication and coordination it takes with a myriad of people. Pence was able to manage this extremely well. Not only did Pence come in ahead of schedule, but they also came in under budget. They believe in going the extra mile for their clients and treat them with respect and as friends.”