“I know Joe”

For years this little saying has amused me, plagued my employees, and close friends that really do know me. I know a tremendous number of people and even more know me, that comes from wearing many hats over the years, and often being in the limelight.

Suffice it to say, I used to answer my phone “Friend or foe?” I genuinely love and connect with people. As they say “No man is an island”. Here is my brief story and that of my amazing team.

 

Joe Levitch

My name is Joe Levitch, I grew up in my father’s shadow remodeling in Berkeley, California. After graduating from high school, I took a hiatus from remodeling and school to pursue my interest in emergency medicine to become an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).

I worked in West Oakland California for 2 years, then attended Stanford University Medical Center’s Paramedic program. I worked in San Mateo County as a Paramedic up until September of 1980 when I came to Boise to rescue a bankrupt business, Flying Pie Pizza, which has made national news for good things on many occasions.

Flying Pie is renowned for its quality, creativity, and care for the community on both sides of the counter. I have since sold my portion of that business.

I continued to pursue my love of emergency medicine with Ada County Paramedics for 10 years. I am a founding member of Saint Alphonsus Life Flight and proudly worked for Air Saint Luke’s as well. I recently retired from EMS altogether at the top of my carrier after 37 years of service.

In 2001, I bought and completely remodeled several homes in my neighborhood and rediscovered the joy of remodeling. On 5-5-2005, I established Levco Builders LLC. (Paying homage to my father’s company that initiated me into the industry) so that I could remodel a neighbor’s home legally.

Professional Affiliations

• I am an active member of NARI (The National Association of the Remodeling Industry). I am a Master Certified Remodeler through the organization and also earned my Universal Design Certified Professional recognition.
• I am the Regional Associate for TRP (The Reuse People of America) A non-profit group that fosters the love for reuse, repurposing, and recycling of building materials.
• I am on the Boise School District Construction Program Advisory board. A group dedicated to making construction cool for high school students
• I am an active member of the Boise Sunrise Rotary Club A worldwide service organization “Service before self “ I am on the board in charge of community service.

I have been honing my remodeling skills while practicing remodeling, primarily in Boise Idaho in the older part of town called The North End, where I live.

As I gather momentum towards my goal of becoming the “go-to” remodeling firm in the treasure valley. I am solving all sorts of interesting problems and developing exciting new ways to exceed the expectations of my clients.

This is done through clear leadership, continuing education, persistence, great communication, the hard work and dedication of my staff, trusted trade partners, and an involved board of directors. I say “We are only as good as our reputation”. To that end, I am building a solid world-class company that can handle all sorts of residential and light commercial remodeling projects.

Every day we strive to create repeatable excellence and grow a vibrant community of remodeling clients by using best practices and sound business practices.

My outside interests include vintage British vehicles, woodworking, writing, and fixing anything and everything.

I am currently publishing my blog and encourage you to sign up to receive my posts. Use our contact page or set up a meeting at Contractor Cafe.

 

My staff

In order to be a real business, it takes employees to execute my vision. This is no small task, as my dreams are grand and vivid. Like JR Simplot and other successful business owners before me, I have assembled a wonderful team of exceptional individuals. I have essentially surrounded myself with like-minded folks with a myriad of life experiences to accomplish the work. Here is a snapshot of my amazing team members.

Cindy Sparks

Cindy is our Office Manager, Bookkeeper, and the HR department. If you call us, odds are pretty good you will be greeted by Cindy. Her accountant talents are providing the sanity I have needed for years. Who knew there were amazing folks like her out there. She brings an amazing level of energy and enthusiasm that is contagious. The synergy she is creating a groundswell of activity and accountability. We are caught up and organized finally. Look for great things to happen.

Personal Note: I had to make sure Cindy was real before she started working here. It was if I conjured her up. To hire such a talented person was like winning the lottery but better. Cindy is responsible for me regaining my confidence and sense of stability. She is a team player and is raising the expectations and accountability around her. As my work wife she keeps me headed in the right direction. She is also the den mother of the employees and all things HR.

Amanda Hendry

Amanda comes from the hospitality industry where she fielded all sorts of interesting situations when it came to managing a local branch of a nation wide hotel chain. Her role at Levco is Design & Construction Coordinator. Her roles and responsibilities dovetail nicely into her past career.

Personal Note: Amanda is learning the ropes and is quick to communicate. She has mad organizational skills, and a key eye for design. I am excited to have her as part of our Levco team.

Phillip Roemer

Phillip comes to us from the Boise State Construction Management Program. He is our estimator, often referred to as the golden goose because he makes sure to get it right. Phillip is intimately involved in all of our design customer’s projects and his attention to detail is a thing to behold. Accurate estimates is the holy grail of remodeling. I am so proud that Levco has provided him with a place to grow.

Personal Note: Phillip is spreading his wings and is proving to be great estimator. He is passionate about creating relationships with our sub-trade vendors and accurately describing the project in our Description of Work document that he creates and maintains. . I am excited to see his family grow.

Brant Dilworth

Brant is a go-getter, he comes from a frontier family that is used to living off the land. He learned his work ethic from his father and the marines. He brings a strong sense of order and discipline to the mix. He has grown up from the ranks to his new Project Manager position. There is no job he won’t do. He is learning quickly and sets the pace when it comes to demolition and he understands how homes go together. He is a keeper of the culture and understands why we are here and how precious Levco is. Brant has risen through the ranks and is now a Certified Lead Carpenter course through NARI national.

Personal Note:
Brant is a fisherman and a mechanic. No machine phases him. He loves tools and using them. Often the one who offers to pitch in he has matured into his current position. I believe he is one of our biggest cheerleaders. Great to have him on our team. Brant is a Project Manager and is impressing us at every turn. A worrier by nature he is driven to perfection.

 

Chris Carpenter

Chris comes to us with experience he learned in the Air Force, he is a Structural Craftsman with the Idaho Air National Guard. He is the owner of his own construction company on the side. Chris is a great project Manager and loves motor sports. 

Personal Note: Chris is a wonderful fellow, a family man that brings his young son to work from time to time. Chris is about to embark on a farther daughter project in Belize to build a school. 

John Webb

John has been in carpentry all his life including owning his own construction company. He relocated to Boise with his family and has found a home at Levco. He loves the work and is a model employee.

Personal Note: John brings a wealth of knowledge and is making clients happy. He is calm and unassuming, he quietly joins in and everyone enjoys working with him. He know what the right thing to do is and just does it. He is a Project Manager that takes responsibility for the work and has been impressing our clients.

Heath Tuscany

Heath has been a bunch of things in the construction field, from framer to window installer, and he also worked with tile installation.

Personal Note: Heath is a quiet hard worker, the kind of guy that just gets it done without the hoopla. He has found a role that works well and is learning all sorts of things from us. We are proud to have him on our team.

Mark Mitchell

Mark is a great driver, pics up all of our materials and is well known at the dump. He operates our heavy equipment and takes care of vehicle maintenance. Marc is tooled up and often the first one at work. His dry sense of humor and quiet nature is not to be confused with a stoic personality.

Personal Note: Mark is a calm steady guy that is able to get work done. He is an early riser like me so we get to chat often. His support role is perfect for the crews and he is in high demand. Mark has won the coveted KA award twice. Once for going above and beyond, and most recently for showing that he cares.