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“Concrete is concrete,” according to Tom Thornton, President of Thornton Construction, “but our niche in health care, aviation and school infrastructure is what differentiates us and brings us our repeat business.”

These three sensitive environments share heightened security, safety and timing priorities that contractors and subs must accommodate. Thornton considers it an art to balance the fragile caution of surroundings with the strict AHCA building requirements of all his plumbers, electricians, carpenters and mechanics involved in a project. This blend of expertise and knowledge of his clients’ critical needs is the foundation for his 90% repeat business with several of South Florida’s leading health care institutions. In fact, Thornton Construction’s reputation has propelled outside of the Miami market with additional projects on the East coast.
 
For example, a recent maneuver involved the replacement of a chilled water mechanical unit and all associated duct work and controls that service a ’round-the-clock OR trauma center. Thornton Construction used one of the largest mobile cranes in the country to swap the existing unit from the penthouse of a large hospital with the new one within a confined 20 x 20 space during a 24 hour time slot over Thanksgiving holiday!
 
Thornton describes it as tiling a shower while taking one because the job sites aren’t closed down or cordoned off. They are open for business and require as little disruption to normal business flow as possible.
 
“It’s more like going into a house as a guest, improving or expanding an area and then cleaning up after ourselves without waking up your host,” he explained.
 
Another concern, often overlooked, is parking disruptions. In many hospital settings parking is a scarce and valued commodity for patients and visitors. With this in mind, it is not unusual for Thornton to find remote parking and shuttle workers to and from the site.
 
Those who know Tom Thornton understand his passion for precision and timing and his respect for the value of relationships – in both business and personal life. Born in Nicaragua to an American father, his family started businesses there but moved to Florida during the country’s political unrest. This required a lifestyle split between two countries and was a drain on family time. However, it nurtured in him the importance of family and community.
 
Now with his own young family settled in Key Biscayne, Tom is dedicated to community service including six year tenure as Village Council member which was recognized with a Mayoral proclamation of October 26th as Honorable Thomas Thornton Day in testament to his countless hours of community work.
 
Service to his profession is also important to Thornton. In 2004, then Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to the Florida Construction Licensing Industry Board where he served for four years; and, recently Thornton was elected to the local chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) a national association. ABC represents the construction industry’s voice with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and local governments, as well as with the news media.
 
Thornton recognizes ABC’s broad membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and allows him access to the best subcontractors for each job. In return, he participates with industry decision makers sharing his knowledge of health care needs and supporting professionalism and integrity within the industry.
 
Thornton also cites the family-owned company’s size as an advantage because he brings senior level involvement in planning and monitoring activities, eliminating bureaucratic slow-downs and on-the spot direct resolution of issues, along with turn-key access to management information systems.
 
“Employing generations of knowledgeable tradesmen provides an experienced work force that anticipates issues or resolves them quickly,” he said.
 
Thornton’s team also holds eco-friendly credentials. The majority of project managers are LEED, AP certified, offering the potential for project sustainability certification with the U.S. Green Building Council. Thornton is a certified Minority Business Enterprise with the State of Florida; recently awarded the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Minority Business Award; and, named a 2009 Top 100 South Florida Small Business by Business Leader magazine for their commitment to customer service, deadlines and budgets from preconstruction through move-in.