OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL – December 6, 2022 – Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. (“Prairie”), a leading middle-market investment bank, acted as financial advisor to Contegra Construction Company in the sale of the company to an employee stock ownership plan. Beginning as a single job trailer in 2003, Contegra Construction Company is a growing construction company built on a foundation of integrity.

Headquartered in Edwardsville, IL with a second office in St. Charles, MO, they have taken on projects across 27 states with their 150 years of combined experience in general contracting, design-build and construction management for almost 20 years. Contegra prides themselves in their commitment to clients, focus on collaboration and an emphasis on open and responsive communication, which lead them to become one of the fastest-growing private companies.

Prairie worked closely with the sellers and management team, providing advisory expertise and managing the preparatory, due diligence and negotiation phases of the transaction, as well as structuring the financing for the transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “We had discussed the possibility of an ESOP at Contegra for many years,” explains Eric Gowin, Founder and CEO of Contegra Construction Company. “Given the overall health of the business and our strong project backlog, we felt that now was right time to begin the journey. Prairie’s team helped to guide us and structure the right plan for all stakeholders involved. ”Sean Ketcherside, CFO of Contegra says “Prairie was a great cultural fit for our company and their deep ESOP and construction industry knowledge was critically important throughout the transaction. I cannot be more excited for our dedicated employees to share in the ongoing success of the company."

“I knew very early on that Contegra was exploring an ESOP for all of the right reasons,” commented Rocky Fiore, Managing Director and COO at Prairie. “They have a great culture and the hallmark characteristics to be a very successful ESOP over the long term.” Tom DeSimone, Director at Prairie, added “It was a pleasure to work with the Contegra team throughout the entire process. This transaction represents another successful construction engagement completed by Prairie as we continue to serve middle-market family- and founder-owned businesses in this industry.”