J.R. Dickinson Biography
1960’s
"Who knew that the Black Forest we walked into at Winter Park to ski would someday be called Mary Jane. T-bar lifts outnumbered chair lifts."
1970’s
• Grew up in Denver; started into construction, framing and concrete work
• Foreman of homes on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in New Mexico
"If Apache Indians offer to teach you bull riding, just accept that you are cheap entertainment. I learned a lot and made a few great friends."
• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration;
Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado
• Estimator/Project Manager and Partner in a firm that built commercial apartments and condominiums in Telluride, Durango and Silverton, Colorado
"This was an adventurous period of life, very hard work: rodeo days, living in the mountains, hunting and fishing, and the start of building."
1980’s
• Superintendent for townhomes in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
• Started Dickinson and Co. for remodels;
(custom homes were rare during the 80’s)
• Contracted the framing for the Inn at Silver Creek, Granby, Colorado
• Major subcontractor on the first Trademark building in Winter Park, Colorado, including framing siding, interior trim
• Concrete contractor for State and municipal jobs, and commercial buildings in Grand County, Colorado
• Hired to complete the original Safeway shopping center in Fraser, Colorado
• Project Manager and Subcontractor for the Kentucky Fried Chicken in Fraser, Colorado
"I inherited the KFC project when the general contractor showed up in Fraser in November with only a short sleeved shirt and slacks on . . . he was not impressed with our weather compared to what he had known in Louisville, Kentucky."
• Many retail remodels, fire repairs and insurance work in Winter Park and Fraser, Colorado
"The 80’s were long hours and low pay, but fortunately also great horse rides, competitive ski racing, beautiful distance runs, and challenging team roping.
Being poor was never so much fun!"
1990’s
• Small custom home subcontracting jobs in Fort Collins, Colorado
• Entered Colorado State University for undergraduate studies, eventually moving to graduate school for Agri-economics and Economics
• CSU was fulltime school pad for by fulltime work for two years
• Worked in retails sales of stock and bonds for two years
"The 80’s left me tired of construction and looking for a change"
• Moved back to Grand County in 1997 and started back in general contracting of custom homes
"I now ride horses with a little hesitation. I don’t run very well.
I’m no longer very wild. But, I’ve found reward in creative work, and the blessings of my education through school and work. I was amused to find that clients paid good money for good work, after experiencing building in the 80’s."
2000’s
• Found a new niche and completed TEN custom homes:
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