In the 1930s, working with just a horse and scoop, the Livengood family started a business that has grown into one of the largest companies in Walnutport, gaining the ranking in nationwide Equipment World's Top 12 finalists for its 2017 Contractor of the Year award.

"We've been in business longer than any other finalist," said Leo Livengood, owner of Livengood Excavators Inc.Equipment World, sponsored by Caterpillar, began completing a report on the entire industry from excavation/paving industry in 2000. From nationwide conducted interviews, 100 applicants were whittled down to 25.Once Equipment World decided on its final round of nominees Leo was notified about the contest."When I was first notified I was in the top 25. I was absolutely flabbergasted," he said.A photography crew was sent to the Walnutport location for a photo shoot. Following the interviews and close-ups, the nominees were cut to 12 where the contractors dozen was sent to Las Vegas for three session of table discussion."They fired questions at you about the industry. The answers helped decide the winners," said Leo."I was the oldest contractor there," said the 87-year-old.Livengood went through three rounds of the selection process before being named one of the top 12 and appearing in the 17th annual listing this May."I consider myself a small contractor trying to make a living. I do everything for the company. Hiring, supervising, repairs. I still get on the equipment," he said.The contestThe contest recognizes contractors who have annual revenues of between $3 million and $15 million while exemplifying the highest standards of construction professionals: business acumen, equipment management expertise, attention to safety and community involvement."We employ the most people and have the most equipment (of the other finalists)," he said.The Walnutport company employs over 100 people in the area."We do commercial, industrial sites, preparation and asphalt paving. Everyone knows those trucks, they say, "We see them everywhere.' "The company was officially named Harvey Livengood Excavator in 1947 after being passed down to Harvey from his father. Livengood was a one-man owner-operator, taking local jobs with just his Michigan cable shovel. "He would dig banks and basements," Leo said."My father lived in Palmerton when we started the business and eventually moved to Walnutport in 1950. We have been here ever since," Leo said.Harvey's son, Leo, became an operator after school and during summers working his way up to president of the company. Leo Livengood purchased the company in the '70s, changing it to Livengood Excavators Inc."When I was a teenager I'd help. Then he bought a bulldozer and at 14 years old I became an operator," Livengood said."Becky's Drive-In was one of the first jobs I did with my father. We grated the ramps where the cars park.""Then I excavated the second screen site myself five years ago. At my old age I wanted to do it, to say the second generation of Becky's put up the screen and the second generation of Livengood did the (excavation)," he said.The excavation company is still a family operation, Livengood's wife, Betty, and children Tim and Tina are crucial pieces in the company's many moving parts both in office and job sites."It's a family organization," he said.Leo's son, Tim, had an early start as a truck driver, paver and equipment operator, and estimator. LEI became the first to utilize AGTEK automated takeoff technology in the Lehigh Valley under Tim's leadership."Tim went to college then joined the company and it really started growing," Leo said.The company covers anywhere from 20 to 25 large jobs at a time including this year's Lehighton projects, Kia and St. Luke's near Route 443 in Lehighton."We've probably done more commercial sites in Lehigh Valley than any other contractor," he said.Livengood said the biggest challenge to operating one of the largest employers in the Lehigh County area is finding he right fit for employees."I use newspaper, radio but most employees find me. They hear about the company and come here for a job," he said."If it's someone with potential and capable, I find a place for them."The company needs hands for excavating but does all repairs in house and needs to staff a body shop and engine repair garage."We've expanded from a one-room office to seven office spaces including garages."The Equipment World Contractor of the Year event honored 12 finalists during a weekend event in Las Vegas that included the March 12 NASCAR Kobalt Tools 400 race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway."When you're considered to be in the top 12 out of thousands in the states, it's an honor," Leo said."It was really a surprise and thrill to end up in 12 nationwide. It's very exciting," said fourth-generation son Tim.