Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek.
Hi Derek, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Paniolo Construction was founded in September 2015 with a vision to build high-quality infrastructure while creating a company grounded in hard work, accountability, and strong team culture. What began as a small operation has grown into a trusted highway contractor serving the Dallas–Fort Worth region and projects throughout Texas.
Before starting the company, the founder spent years working in the construction industry, gaining firsthand experience in the field and developing a deep understanding of highway construction operations. Recognizing the opportunity to build something of his own, he took the leap to start Paniolo Construction with a focus on quality workmanship, reliability, and building lasting relationships in the industry.
Today, Paniolo Construction specializes in self-performing critical roadway construction scopes, including concrete flatwork, slip-form barrier, curb and gutter installation, and full hot mix asphalt paving operations. By self-performing major elements of construction, the company maintains greater control over quality, efficiency, and project execution.
From its humble beginnings, the company has grown to 94 dedicated employees, many of whom have been part of the team since early days. This strong foundation of experienced crew members and leadership has helped establish a company culture built on loyalty, teamwork, and pride in the work performed.
Paniolo Construction has contributed to several major transportation infrastructure projects across North Texas, including work on Interstate 635 total reconstruction, the Highway 183/114 corridor reconstruction, and multiple Interstate 35W improvements. These projects represent some of the region’s most significant roadway developments and highlight the company’s ability to perform complex, large-scale infrastructure work.
While the company continues to grow, its core values remain unchanged. Paniolo Construction is driven by its commitment to taking care of its people, delivering quality work, and building infrastructure that serves communities for generations. With a strong team, expanding capabilities, and a focus on the future, the company remains dedicated to helping move Texas forward.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing worth having comes without pressure.
Owning a business is 24/7 responsibility — making sure your people are taken care of, the bills are paid, and the work keeps coming in to keep it all moving.
Most people only see the rewards.
Very few understand the stress, the sleepless nights, and the weight you carry every single day.
But that pressure is the price of building something real — and it’s a price worth paying.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
What I’m most proud of is our people. They are the backbone of everything we do. These guys go to war every single day — no matter the conditions, no matter the pressure — and they get the job done. They’re loyal, hardworking, and trustworthy men, and I’m honored to call them family.
We specialize in concrete flatwork, concrete slipform barrier, and asphalt paving. Most of our work is in highways and city infrastructure, but at the end of the day, concrete is concrete and asphalt is asphalt — it comes down to who shows up and executes.
What truly sets us apart is our sense of urgency and our commitment to quality. We hustle — nonstop. That’s the reality of the subcontractor world, and we embrace it. We move fast, we stay efficient, and we take pride in delivering work that holds up.
At the end of the day, our name is on everything we touch, and we make sure it reflects the standard we live by
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
fishing with my dad, going to the horse track with my grandpa
