Industry Focus: After 3 generations, Reyman Bros. still bringing value to their work

When Gatlon Reyman, preconstruction manager at Reyman Bros. Construction, was in high school, he decided to enter a speech and debate competition. Although his initial attempts fell flat, he persevered — and eventually won his first debate.

“I sucked at it,” said Reyman recently at his company’s offices on 18th Street in Sparks. “I was really, really bad. But my dad always told me that when you are stopped at something, you have to keep going. He told me I had to win one debate, and I was up against so many smarter kids that I thought, ‘No way.’ But once I got my first win, I was hooked.

“That ultimately changed my focus on life,” Reyman added. “I realized that you may fail a million times, but as long as you keep pushing forward, you will keep growing, motivating and encouraging others, and making things happen.”

Gatlon Reyman is the third generation of his namesake to be at the forefront of Reyman Bros. Construction. The company was founded in 1977 by Mike Reyman. His son, Kenneth, joined the company in 1988. Gatlon Reyman joined in 2023. Brother Creighton Reyman, 27, also works for the company.

Gatlon may be the newest addition to the company payroll, but Reyman Bros. has always been a part of his life.

“I remember times as kids when my dad was managing projects all over California,” he said. “Those trips are still very vivid in my memory. That’s part of the fun of working here.”

Over the decades Reyman Bros. has completed a diverse portfolio of commercial construction projects across the Truckee Meadows. Reyman Bros. performed an $8.8 million renovation at Mackay Stadium at University of Nevada, Reno, replacing the west-side bleachers with stadium seating and constructing a state-of-the-art 7,000 square-foot luxury skybox.

A handful of the company’s additional commercial projects include: Renovation of the Church of Fine Arts Redfield Theater and Gallery at UNR; renovation of Northwest Pool on Apollo Way in Reno; construction of Les Schwab Tire Center in Spanish Springs; and renovating the base operations and airfield maintenance office at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

Reyman Bros. is widely known for its historic restoration and preservation work. Most notably, Reyman Bros. restored the original bell, porch, roof and windows at the Fourth Ward School in Virginia City. Additional work on the structure built in 1876 included adding a north tower with restrooms and balconies, and extensive restoration of interior and exterior woodwork at the school. Reyman Bros. also restored the Ely Railroad Depot and Freight Building, which was constructed in 1901, as well as the iconic 19,000 square-foot Leland Stanford Mansion in Sacramento, which was built in 1856

Jeff Dow/Reyman Bros. 

Reyman Bros., restored the original bell, porch, roof and windows at the Fourth Ward School in Virginia City

Reyman Bros. is currently working on exterior renovations and shoring the foundation of St. Paul the Prospector Episcopal Church in Virginia City. Historic preservation work requires precise attention to detail, and construction and management teams often collaborate with historians, architects and archeologists to ensure new work reflects historical authenticity.

“I am glad I am learning this stuff at a young age, because performing that historical work preserves a part of history and allows you to be creative,” Gatlon Reyman said. “I love seeing what we can do in historical preservation.”

Although the youngest Reyman has transitioned from fieldwork to a role in the office, his experience in both roles help him straddle the line between blue and white collar workers.

“In construction, everyone is tested all the time,” he said. “We need to be especially calm under pressure and work with people to make it the best experience for them.

“I am very thankful that I worked in the field because I know what the field hands think of the office and what the office thinks of the field,” he added. “I can wear both sets of shoes and know what to do to make work in the field easier, and motivate those in the field to be looking out for the office team and help make a job go smoothly.”

In addition to commercial and historical preservation work, Reyman Bros. is moving into private renovations where it helps clients realize their redevelopment ideas, Reyman said. The goal is to take a raw idea and create a seamless path from inception to completion, he added.

“If you can do historical preservation work, you can take any idea, conceptualize it and make it a reality no matter the demographics,” Reyman said.

The youngest Reyman is keen to continue the legacy established by his father and grandfather. Those speech and debate wins help him lead a staff of about 20 that’s split between office staff and field workers.

“My dad taught that if you want to be successful, you have to bring value to someone. That was instilled into him by my grandfather, and he instilled that in us,” Reyman said. “As a third-generation leader, I am carrying on the same persona that my grandfather had as far as taking care of customers, meeting timelines, doing your best, and being creative.

“I’ve realized that in construction creativeness is your most valuable component. It’s something that my grandfather envisioned and father put into play, and I want to keep making it happen by looking for great team members that have the same mindset about serving people and doing their best every day.”