Ten years ago, Don Blake was enjoying life in the slow lane. After more than 25 years in the construction business, he sold his real estate development company in the Pacific Northwest, retired, and started spending time at a little retreat home in Anza, Calif. “I said, ‘I’m done, happy and thank you very much,'” said Blake. But 30 days into his new life, the phone rang. A colleague asked Blake to help fix some high school construction projects in Irvine that were over deadline and over budget. Somewhat reluctantly, he agreed. “There were always two segments in the universe that I said I would not do, schools and churches,” said Blake, adding there are too many levels of bureaucracy. But there laid the business opportunity. In 1999, he founded Agoura Hills-based Team Concept Development Services Inc. to work on his colleague’s projects. Then superintendents from other school districts asked Blake for help completing construction projects on-time, on budget and with no lawsuits. The company has since worked on more than $500 million worth of development projects for Irvine and Las Virgenes Unified School Districts, and ironically- North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad. The company also provided pre-construction services for Vista Unified School District and Santa Cruz City Schools, and has $120 million worth of backlogged projects for the next four years. Blake provides what he calls “Owner Managed Construction” services. He is an on-sight representative for property owners (e.g. school districts), master planning every step of the development from acquisition of the property to occupancy and making decisions on the spot. “In public works, the tools used in the private sector are usually absent,” said Blake. “The property owner usually doesn’t participate.” Contractors, architects and construction companies are the ones making decisions, he adds. And the only time the owner gets involved is to sign-off on plans and changes, which can delay the project and push it over budget. Back in charge Owner Managed Construction places the owner back in charge of the development via Team Concept Development Services. The company manages the construction process from within the school district, or church, and reports directly to the board. In fact, Team Concept Development Services’ offices are located at Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills, which reduces overhead costs for the school district. “Instead of a decision taking six to nine months, I’m here to answer questions and make decisions daily,” said Blake. “I’m here for one purpose and that’s to prevent down time. It’s working well for the school districts, kids and tax payers.” Team Concept Development Services has delivered all of its projects on-time and with no lawsuits, said Blake. The company has also been able to give money back to the owner at the time of completion. Blake said the key to success is having a close working relationship with the school board. In the case of Las Virgenes Unified School District, superintendant of schools, Dr. Donald Zimring, and the board have placed a lot of trust in Team Concept Development Services. John Fisher, owner of John Sergio Fisher and Associates Inc., an architectural, theater consulting, and acoustician firm, is working with Blake on the Calabasas High School and Agoura Hills High School performing arts centers. “Don Blake has a unique methodology that puts him a level above what others are doing,” said Fisher. “His coordination with the owner, design team and contractor, assures a more efficient and cost effective project delivery. It’s an enjoyable process.” Hard work But Blake does not consider his business model to be a stroke of genius or the result of being a savvy entrepreneur. It all just happened organically. “I’m not a hard nosed entrepreneur,” he said. “I’m just disciplined and have worked hard at mastering the craft.” In 1973, Blake completed military duty, got married and took a job with a construction company in Los Angeles. One of the head honchos of the company took him under his wing and showed him the ins and outs of the development business. Blake went on to work for a number of large construction companies in California and launched his own development company in Bellingham, WA in the early 1980s. “I had this notion that the only guy who makes money in this business is the owner,” said Blake, “and I knew how to put deals together.” He grew the company to 300 employees and upwards of $600 million in project revenue. In the mid 1990s, the U.S. Department of Commerce hired Blake to train a group of Japanese construction professionals. Over the course of three years, he took them to various projects and taught them every step of the development process from buying land to completion. Now, those 30 full days of retirement are a distant memory. While Blake cherishes spending time with his family, he also wants to continue growing Team Concept Development Services. “I never thought I’d be in this niche ever,” said Blake. “But I’m really happy here and it’s working.” He adds, “After retiring, I had achieved my goals and I was happy, but what I found is there’s a market for your brain.” SPOTLIGHT: Team Concept Development Services Founder and CEO: Don Blake Year Founded: 1999 Employees: 7 Revenues (based on volume, which includes design management and construction management) 2006: $18 million 2007: $27 million 2008: $25 million 2009: $60 million projected