"We've worked in that market for a long time. We didn't have an office, just fantastic relationships," comments Cory Moore, vice president with the Salt Lake City-based Big-D. When a group of separate contractors in the Phoenix area approached Big-D to open an office, "we said great," Moore says.

[IMGCAP(2)]The office is headed up by president Hal White and operates out of an office at 633 E. Ray Rd. The office has its first job; a remodel of a 12,000-sf skilled nursing facility in Phoenix. Moore tells GlobeSt.com that the staff, which consists of Jack Livingood, Louie Sarracino, John Kane and Brent Banning is also pursuing opportunities with Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.

"We have goals, but not necessarily a timeline," Moore says. "We're more about building relationships. If we build relationships, the work will come." He adds that he'd like to see the staff size double in a year.

Though the Phoenix market has experienced a marked downturn over the past year, Moore says it didn't deter opening an office. He points out that the combination of local relationships and a lean, but aggressive staff should bring success. "As we continue to work in the Arizona market, and when the market turns, we'll be able to capitalize on it," he says.