04/12/2025
A tribute from our President AJ Lyon -
Today would have been my father’s 70th birthday.
He’s been heavy on my mind today. I’ve been thinking about how long it’s been—nine years since he passed—and how much has changed since then. But more than that, I’ve been reflecting on the good times, the lessons he taught me, and the man he was.
Some of my favorite memories are the long drives we took together in his truck, going cross-country from job to job. I grew up riding shotgun while watching him run a construction company with grit, passion, and an unmatched ability to solve problems. Out in the field, he was everyone’s go-to. He seemed to know everything there was to know about construction—but it wasn’t just what he knew that made him special. It was how he led. He was the kind of person who made people want to be better. A true leader.
It was because of him that I pursued a career in business. I didn’t realize at the time that I’d eventually boomerang right back to the family company—but now, looking back, it all makes sense.
When I was in business school, I used to think company culture was just a buzzword—something people used to make their business sound personal, but would trade away the moment it got in the way of profits.
But today, I see it so differently.
Culture is everything, especially in a small and growing business. It’s the soul of a company. And when I look around at the team at Lyon Construction, I see my father reflected in each of them. I didn’t set out with that intention when hiring, but I’ve come to realize that I naturally gravitate toward people who reflect the culture my dad built.
That culture has become the foundation of Lyon. And to describe it is to describe the man himself.
My father was gritty. He was a risk-taker. He had a relentless drive to succeed. But even more than that, he was guided by an unwavering moral compass. Integrity, patience, and selflessness defined him—even when it cost him financially. He refused to cut corners or become someone he wasn’t. He always chose to do what was right, even when it was hard. Even when it meant losing out.
The day we buried him, I had a moment of clarity. I remember standing at the funeral home, watching the line of people that wrapped around the building. People whose lives he truly touched. That was his success.
When I took over the business, I made it my mission to carry forward that legacy—to continue building a company that puts people first.
In construction, it’s easy to fall into a transactional mindset. It’s easy to get caught up in contracts and bottom lines and forget the human side of the work we do. At Lyon, we strive to fight against that. We build deep, meaningful relationships with people who align with the culture my father lived by—one of humility, graciousness, and integrity.
So today, I honor my father— Wally Lyon Founder of Lyon Construction Company. A great man, a selfless leader, and a role model in every sense of the word.
We’re carrying the torch, Dad. Happy 70th. We miss you.
