Who We Are

Bob Evans quickly learns the meaning of hard work, growing up in the tiny, timber town of Carson Washington in the late 1950s. As a young boy, he begins helping out the family finances by working at his Dad’s service station. In high school, Bob’s uncle introduces him to what will become a life-long passion—construction. Bob takes jobs dry walling, logging and in the mill. In 1973, during the build-up for the World’s Fair in Eastern Washington, Bob moves to Coeur d’Alene, gaining experience in many sectors of construction, and building on his skills to become a craftsman.

When the World Fair ends, so do the jobs. Bob drives back to Carson where he meets and marries his wife Sharon. In 1975, the newlyweds follow a teaching job for Sharon in Washington County, Oregon—a community that Bob will eventually help grow into one of the most economically robust areas in Oregon. This time Bob decides he’s working for himself. A good friend at the local lumber yard recommends Bob for construction jobs, the kind, as Bob puts it, “no one else wants”. Bob is building a reputation for honesty and quality. The projects grow larger and word spreads to local businesses which then lend Bob credit and refer him for work.

On July 13, 1976, Bob obtains his Oregon Construction License, number 14426—now one of the longest held licenses in the state of Oregon. As Bob’s luck and personable style would have it, his first project as a licensed contractor starts when he runs into his former high school principal, who at that time is owner of Hillsboro Realty. He asks Bob to supervise construction of a subdivision, including building out the roads and 12 homes.

Energy conservation and a painful fuel shortage dominate the national headlines in the early 1970s. Bob launches his own research into solar energy home applications and a short time later, is asked to build the first energy efficient Street of Dreams home. In 1978, this earns him one of the first Solar Tax Credits given by the State of Oregon. The project opens the doors to more opportunities and builds on the Robert Evans Company reputation.

Surviving the recession and now in the middle of the 1980’s downturn, Bob launches a project from his heart—the construction of the beautiful St. Peter’s Evangelical Southern Church in Forest Grove. Meanwhile his company is transitioning into commercial construction. Lending institutions, with whom, Bob has built solid relationships, pick him to remodel their businesses, build drive up windows, ATM’s and other branches. The Farm Home Administration of Washington Co. asks Bob to build 24 homes as part of an economic stimulus project. He’s also pioneering the construction of institutionalized group homes for the state of Oregon.

Bob’s innovations are helping create what are today Oregon landmarks. Bob begins to design and develop what eventually becomes the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro County. In 1986, Bob helps raise money and donates his services to build the Portland Audubon Society’s treatment and educational centers. “The people at the Audubon Society were just so honest and pure in their desire to help animals,” says Bob. “I was honored to help them.” The Audubon Society presents Bob with the Mamie Campbell Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Big—and welcome—news comes in the late 1980s as Intel begins construction in Hillsboro—hints of a future tech boom. The President of Washington Federal asks Bob to develop an industrial subdivision in Hillsboro, putting up the company’s first tilt construction, the Cornell Business Park.

It’s the early 1990s and Hillsboro is heralded as one of the fastest growing cities in Oregon—and the entire country. Robert Evans Company helps lead that expansion, building its largest project to date, a $15 million, 7 building facility for Washington County. Other projects soon follow, among them Pinnacle Exhibits, Beaverton Foods and DeMarini Sports. All are built on the solid, trusted relationships Bob Evans has nurtured with clients and professionals in the construction field.

A unique challenge is presented to Bob in 1994, when he travels to Japan to meet with the Board of Directors of the 160 year old Momokawa Sake company. They ask Bob to design and build an automated plant in Washington County. But here’s the problem: the brew master is the only one who knows the meticulous and very secretive brewing process, and he doesn’t speak a word of English. Ever the problem solver, Bob designs and builds a new plant that can produce 200-300 thousand cases a year and four times more cost-effective than any comparable US facility.

In early 2000, Bob recognizes the need for a professional partner to help guide the company’s continued growth. Bob finds the perfect candidate in Anita Hettum, a dynamic commercial design specialist. A stickler for customer service and high quality, Anita shares Bob’s intense work ethic. Her role evolves into General Manager then President and co-owner. “We had an instant professional rapport. Her fresh enthusiasm, sincerity, excruciatingly detailed work ethic is good news for our clients and the company," says Bob. Anita is not only moving the company into the future but has spearheaded and guided the move into a new, more centrally located headquarters in dynamic NW Portland.