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Craig comes from a long line of builders that reaches back to his great grandfather – a carpenter who moved to California from the Midwest in 1936 – and roots in Sonoma County, where he and his three brothers were raised. The brothers spent their formative years working alongside their father Wendell Nordby, who founded Nordby Construction in 1978. A strong work ethic was a given. Craig joined Nordby Construction, after graduating with a degree in business and marketing at Sonoma State University, (and writing a thesis on family-owned businesses). 

Craig came up through the family business not in the field, but in operations. His business background gave him the ability to study the business and see the gaps – in marketing, business development, technology innovation, insurance and, as he jokingly describes it, “everything no one else wanted to do.” He proved himself valuable in a short period of time, and at the age of 36, took over operations. Along the way, he had developed a global view of the company that would prove invaluable in eventually leading it. Company ownership gradually evolved as first one brother, then his father, then his second brother transitioned out of the company. With a straightforward leadership style, a head for business, and perhaps most importantly, an affinity for people and partnerships, Craig has fostered an entrepreneurial outlook that has come to be one of the defining features of the Nordby Companies as a whole, and for each of its divisions as well.

As is true of any company with a history that spans multiple generations, the company has weathered ownership changes along with the highs and lows of multiple economic cycles. Along the way, Nordby launched the Wine Caves and Nordby Signature Homes divisions, both timely and targeted responses to opportunities in the market that the company was uniquely positioned to meet. The launch of these divisions early in his career trajectory would prove to be a defining moment for Craig, revealing a talent and taste for entrepreneurship. 

The company’s growth and successes in the years since the recession of 2008 stem from a singular emphasis on customer service and quality over quantity of work. He describes his leadership style as a combination of strategic thinking and fortitude. “After the recession, our remaining team was made up of leaders, highly focused on customer service. We also had the creative confidence to know our worth.” The transition to this latest phase in the company’s history gave Craig the opportunity to bring on people who are truly aligned in their objectives, creating what he likes to call “a space for possibilities.” One of his favorite phrases sums up the company ethos he has created: “It’s all about opportunity.”

Tony’s father, who owned a flooring company, provided him an early introduction to the construction industry. During college, a position with a custom builder turned his aspirations from architecture to construction, and he earned a degree in construction management. In 2000, at the age of 24, he joined Nordby Construction. True to the ethos of the company, the team recognized in Tony an asset to the team, and helped him develop the skill set he would need to succeed. 

Tony cites mentorship as one of the key forces in his career trajectory. He moved through roles as project engineer and project estimator in quick succession. When an opportunity unexpectedly arose to lead one of the firm’s largest projects, support in the field allowed him to rise to this pivotal point in his career. Upon the company’s leadership succession in 2008, Tony became the company’s first partner outside the Nordby family.

Though his role has shifted to primarily encompass overall company operations, Tony still acts as project manager on select projects, and enjoys building community and fostering the future of construction trades through mentoring. He sits on the board of the North Coast Builder’s Exchange, and participates in the Northbay Construction Corporation – a joint program of the Exchange and Construction Technology Institute that implements construction programs into high schools, helping to support the next generation of builders.

Inspired by his relationships with architects, clients and his business partners, Tony cites repeat clients as a primary indicator of both personal and company success. “We don’t win projects, we engage with people,” he says. “We build trust, form long-term relationships, and our clients become repeat clients.”