What Does It Mean to Build Something That Lasts? | Jeff Zachau

Jeff Zachau grew up around construction. His father started a small carpentry business in 1969, his mother kept the books, and Jeff spent weekends and summers helping wherever he could. After graduating from the University of Maine with a background in accounting and finance, there wasn’t much discussion about what came next: the Monday after graduation, he went to work alongside his father.

Nearly four decades later, Zachau Construction has changed considerably—but Jeff believes many of the values behind it have not. Building honest relationships, doing good work, continuing to grow, giving back, and approaching problems with a positive attitude have become the articulated principles of a company whose culture Jeff traces back to his father’s earliest years in business.

Now Jeff is considering what it means to carry that legacy forward. After years of succession planning, Zachau Construction transitioned to employee ownership through an ESOP, creating an opportunity for employees to build meaningful value in the company themselves. At the same time, Jeff is watching a new generation enter Maine’s construction industry—bringing new technology and education to work that has traditionally depended heavily on hands-on experience and craftsmanship.

Jeff and Dr. Lisa also explore the creativity inherent in construction and business, the importance of creating opportunities for younger Mainers, and why growth doesn’t have to be measured only in revenue. For Jeff, it can mean giving talented people room to grow—and trusting them to help determine what comes next.

Join Dr. Lisa Belisle for this conversation with Jeff Zachau today on Radio Maine.

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