Year Established: 1988
Industry/Services: Residential and commercial construction
Business Address: 1155 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610
Website: www.boddencgi.com
Founders’ Names: Doug and Nancy Bodden
Current Generation in Leadership: 2nd Generation
Primary Contact Name & Title: Clayton Bodden / VP of Business Development
Email: clayton@boddencgi.com| Phone: (484) 772-5859
Names & Roles of Family Members Active in the Business:
Douglas Bodden: President
Nancy Bodden: Office Manager
Mandy Hutton: Accounting Manager
Jaden Bodden: VP of Construction
Clayton Bodden: VP of Business Development
Is there a succession plan in place?
We don’t have a formal succession plan in place yet, but we’ve been actively working toward one over the past year. As a second-generation family business, we’re focused on clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and long-term leadership goals so we’re prepared for a smooth transition when the time comes.
Tell us the history of your business. How did it start?
Bodden Construction started as a true family effort. My parents, Doug and Nancy Bodden, worked side by side from the beginning, with my dad in the field and my mom in the office. What started as part-time warranty work for a local builder grew steadily as trust was built within the community.
As the business grew through the 1990s, Bodden Construction Group took shape, adding commercial construction and residential remodeling services. Over time, the company earned industry recognition and grew into a second-generation family business, with the next generation now actively involved in carrying forward the values it was built on.
What does being a family-owned business mean to you?
Being a family-owned business means our work is personal. The decisions we make don’t just impact a bottom line. They affect our family, our employees, and the community we live and work in. When your name is on the sign, there’s a different level of accountability. It pushes us to do the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest option, and to build relationships that go far beyond a single project.
What is the mission or core purpose of your company?
Our purpose is to serve the people and communities around us. We see ourselves as a business that brings a certain quality and experience to the market. We know our niche, we know who we are, and we know who we’re aiming to be.
Our goal is to price our work appropriately so we’re compensated fairly for our time and effort, while our customers receive a quality experience and craftsmanship from initial consultation through project completion. We don’t inflate numbers, and we’re not in pursuit of becoming the biggest contractor around. We’re here to do great work for great people – that’s it.
What products/services make your business unique?
We’re very intentional about focusing on quality over quantity. We’ve learned over the years that staying within our niche allows us to do our best work, and that’s where we choose to stay. We believe in making that message clear so our potential customers are able to self-identify whether we’re the right fit for their project.
As a small, family-owned business, we take a hands-on approach and we’re honest when a potential project isn’t the right fit for us, whether due to scope, timing, or expectations. We have a standard for the quality of our work and for the experience we believe our customers deserve. Taking on too much or stepping outside our niche would compromise those standards, and that’s not something we’re willing to do. Sometimes that means saying no to great opportunities, but it allows us to consistently deliver the level of quality and experience we’re proud of.
Share a recent milestone, achievement or success story.
One of our biggest milestones has been successfully transitioning into a true second-generation family business. For the first 20 years, the company was primarily run by our parents, Doug and Nancy, with a small team. Over time, the next generation stepped in. First with Jaden helping run the business, followed by Mandy supporting the administrative and accounting side, and later me joining to lead marketing and business development.
Today, two generations work side by side, supported by long-tenured non-family employees, including team members who have been with us for over 10 and 20 years. That kind of continuity and trust is something we’re really proud of and speaks to the culture we’ve built.
What are you most proud of as a family business?
We’re most proud of our longevity and resilience. As we approach 40 years in business, we don’t take that lightly. We’ve been through multiple economic cycles, with highs and lows, and we’ve continued to show up for our customers and our community. We’re grateful for the trust placed in us over the years and for the people who have supported our journey. We truly believe the best is yet to come.
In what ways does your business support or engage with the Berks County community?
Giving back locally is important to us. We actively support the Berks County community by sponsoring events such as Tower Health’s Farm to Table fundraiser and partnering with Little Acts of Love, a nonprofit organization based in Wernersville. Each year, we also adopt a family through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program during the holidays.
We’re intentional about supporting local creatives and businesses as well. From hiring a local artist (Kelsey Showalter) to paint seasonal murals on our office, to working with a local photographer/videographer (Anthony Matz) for our social media marketing. More than 90% of our projects, vendors, and subcontractors are based in Berks County, which allows us to reinvest directly into the community we call home.
How would you describe your company culture?
Our culture is truly family-oriented. We’re a small team of eight (including Tito, our office mascot) and we’ve worked together for many years. That longevity creates a unique environment built on trust, familiarity, and mutual respect. Everyone plays an important role, and we take pride in supporting one another both professionally and personally.
What goals or plans do you have for the future of your business?
Looking ahead, our focus is on residential remodeling, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, whole-home renovations / remodels, and additions. On the commercial side, we plan to continue focusing on remodels, fit-outs, and additions.
Rather than expanding into new areas, our goal is to get better at what we already do well. That means continuing to build our systems and processes so we can stay organized, stay hands-on, and provide the level of service and experience our customers expect from us.
What advice would you offer to other family-owned businesses?
Understand that regardless of how well your family members get along, there are going to be periods of time that are stressful and difficult to navigate. Your relationships will be tested, but as long as you’re always honest, fair, and communicate consistently with clarity and intention, you’ll be able to weather any storm.