Northstar Grading & Excavating, SP
"Excavation For Progress"
Stokesdale, NC 27357 · (336) 548-2431
NORTHSTAR'S HISTORY
Leif S. Cole, Owner, has over 31-Years of experience in the earthmoving business. Leif’s first word was “dirt” and he has never outgrown his sandbox, he only traded in his smaller toys for bigger ones. Leif, has and takes an extraordinary amount of pride in his work. He has built Northstar Grading & Excavating, upon a solid foundation of honesty and integrity. Leif, represents the third generation of Cole earthmovers.
His career in the earthmoving business began at the tender age of 2, when as a young boy; he would accompany his father to work. Leif’s father, Michael S. Cole, had over 34-Years of experience in the grading and excavating business. Mike, is responsible for giving Leif, a solid and broad education in the dirt business. As a matter of fact, the company motto “Excavation for Progress” belonged to Leif’s father and his father before him, Leif’s grandfather, Fred Cole. You could say that dirt moving runs in the blood of the Cole family.
The name “Northstar” comes from both Leif’s roots and his choice to make Rockingham County, "North Carolina's Northstar", his home. He is a purebred Yankee but southern by choice. He hails from Upstate New York Mountain Country. Not really much different then here. Leif, has embraced his heritage and is well on his way to creating a multi-million dollar company. The same tradition passed down to Leif, is in the process of being passed down to his own children. His children Desiree (16), Stephen (15) and Sean (13) are already active members of the Northstar Team. As a matter of fact, the core of the Northstar team is made up of Leif’s family. His wife, Rose Cole, is in charge of Office Operations and his sister, Laura E. Cole-Stone, assists Rose in the office. The same values and beliefs that Leif, inherited from his father, and his father before him, are the foundation of all that Northstar Grading & Excavating is built upon.
"Leif's Grandfather, Fred Cole" "The Few, The Proud" "Leif, Building a Home for Northstar Grading & Excavating"
"Leif's Father, Michael S. Cole"
See Leif's Grandfather and Father in action. See how it all began and get a rare look at how it was done in the past. This video is over 30 years old and features Leif's father and grandfather "Excavating For Progress" in their rural county of Schoharie, NY. What sits there today is one of the counties most productive Agriculture Farms and a half-a-mile from the back end of the farm sits the counties largest New Car Dealership as well as, a variety of local businesses. Back then the population of the entire county was just under 20,000. Today, it is roughly 32,000. We invite you to view "Northstar's Beginning" video.
MORE HISTORY AND WHY NORTHSTAR IS A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
Northstar Grading & Excavating, began in 1955 as Cole's Bulldozing Service and was started by Fred Cole, Leif's grandfather. He was a one man operation until his eldest son, Michael S. Cole, Leif's father, returned from serving two tours in Vietnam. Both men spent many years building the business in upstate New York and were responsible for much of the progress in their rural county of Schoharie, NY.
From a young age, Leif, was groomed not only in the earthmoving business but in strong family values which included, making a name for yourself through hard work and dedication to your chosen profession. When Leif, relocated in 1997 to North Carolina and decided to settle in Rockingham County, known as "North Carolina's Northstar", he changed the name of the business to Northstar Grading & Excavating to both honor his future here and his past from New York.
Despite urging from many well intentioned advisors, Leif, has chosen to remain a Sole Proprietorship because that is how it all started. He has poured his own blood, sweat and tears into Northstar Grading & Excavating, while honoring the same of his father and grandfather. Leif's future for Northstar Grading & Excavating is one of great expansion however, he doesn't want to lose sight of the family values that propelled him to where he is today and feels that, while Incorporation has it's benefits and may be necessary in the future, it also takes away from the "Personal Investment".
© Northstar Grading & Excavating, SP
P.O. Box 25, Stokesdale, NC 27357
(336) 548-2431
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