MWMCA Interviews Comer Construction’s CEO as Comer Celebrates 40 Years in Business

Our employees are very important and like family to us. We want everyone to enjoy working for us and to retire with us.

Linda Sue Comer, President, Comer Construction, Inc.

Comer Construction, Inc., one of Maryland’s best horizontal contractors, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in business this year. A woman-owned site and underground utility contractor is owned and operated by Linda Sue “Susie” Comer and is the prize of North and Central Maryland. Comer takes pride in safety first and creating a work environment that retains their employees for their entire careers. They believe in giving back to their community through philanthropic work. “Comer Construction, Inc. has proven to be a leader in the Maryland construction industry and has scores of satisfied customers to vouch for it,” said Wayne R. Frazier, Sr., president of Md. Washington Minority Companies Association.

Tell us the types of work Comer Construction is involved in?

Comer Construction specializes in site preparation services, including grading and excavation, utilities, road work and paving, and storm water management. Our team of 100 does everything from site grading and utilities to road construction. We work as a general contractor or as a subcontractor to other general contractors.

We’ve supported clients across a wide range of industries, including commercial, residential, government, municipalities, education, healthcare, and athletic fields. Historically there were a lot of big land clearing and earth moving jobs. Now that the area is more developed, Comer Construction also works on redevelopment projects. The core business, underground utilities and site construction, hasn’t changed in 40 years.

Major projects included supporting the construction of the new international terminal at BWI in 1997 and a complete site development package for the Ripken Stadium, hotel, and fields in 2002. Recent projects include site preparation for the new Kaiser Permanente building in Timonium, grading and utility updates at Highlandtown Elementary and Middle School, water main installation on North Avenue in Bel Air, as well as, grading and utility work for the GBMC Promise Project.

As a woman owned trade firm do you find that as an advantage or disadvantage when pursuing new work and why?

As a women-owned business, Comer Construction helps general contractors fulfill minority-owned requirements and goals. We’re happy to see the demand for these requirements increase and continue to promote our services as a women-owned business. Ultimately, it’s our reputation that keeps customers coming back.

Comer Construction is certified by the Maryland Department of Transportation as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Baltimore City MBE/WBE.

Why is work site safety so important to your business?

Safety is everything! Comer Construction strives to be accident and incident free every day. We want our employees to make it home safely to their loved ones.

What was toughest job you ever had and what made it so tough?

Comer Construction’s toughest project to date was a Mid-Field Cargo and Runway Project at BWI Airport in 1997. The General Contractor was removed from the project for non-performance. Comer Construction and another General Contractor took the project over for the bonding company. The Project Inspection company was very difficult and hindered the project progress immensely, making the project very difficult.

Tell us about your community work and philanthropic donations?

Where do we start? We’re very active in the community.

Volunteering and Donating in our Community, County and State is very important to Comer Construction. We support the following:

CURRENT:

• Service and Donations: Char Hope Foundation – A female addiction recovery sober living home

• Donations to support the BBB of Greater Maryland’s Shred Day

• Donations - Hooper House (site grading, parking lot)

• Chair, Harford County Public Works Advisory Board

• Member, M&T Bank Northeast Advisory Board

• Member, Home Builders Association of Maryland, Harford County

• Chair, Harford County Contractors Association Scholarship Committee

• Member, National Association of Women Business Owners

• Member, Harford County Contractors Association Board of Directors

• Member, Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation Board (donations)

• Panelist, Harford County Business Indicators

• Member, Harford County Government Spending Affordability Committee

PAST:

• 1996 - 1999: Member, Harford County Contractors Association Board of Directors

• June - December 2000: Vice President, Harford County Contractors Association

• 1998 - 2002: Member, Greater Bel Air Forest Hill Community Planning Council

• November - December 2002: Member, Governor Robert Ehrlich’s Transition Team

• 2001 - 2002: President, Harford County Contractors Association

• 2000 - 2003: Panelist, Town of Bel Air Department of Juvenile Justice

• 1998 - 2005: Member, Harford County Executive James M. Harkins Campaign Finance Committee

• June - July 2006: Member, Maryland Environmental Services Transition Advisory Board

• June - September 2007: Member, Harford County Zoning Code Review Workgroup

• 2003 - 2007: Representative, Maryland Department of Transportation NAWBO-BRC Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Committee

• 2016 – 2020 Member, Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Board

• 1990 – 2020 Member, Baltimore County Highway Contractors Board of Directors

• 2010 – 2020 Member, Maryland Asphalt Association Board

• 2010 – 2018 Member, Army Alliance Aberdeen Providing Ground Board

It’s been noticed on social media that you are constantly praising your employees for their time with you, why is that important to you?

Our employees are very important and like family to us. We want everyone to enjoy working for us and to retire with us. Over 60% of our employees have been with Comer Construction more than 20 years!

What is the geographic area that you will pursue new work?

Comer Construction targets projects throughout central Maryland including Harford County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince Georges County, Cecil County, Carroll County and Montgomery County.

What message do you have for other women considering getting into the construction trades?

There is a lot of opportunity for women! Construction offers a good living with great benefits and room for growth. We’re seeing increases in female construction workers for laborers, maintenance of traffic, truck drivers, and management.

Enjoy this interview!

Tell us the types of work Comer Construction is involved in?

Comer Construction specializes in site preparation services, including grading and excavation, utilities, road work and paving, and storm water management. Our team of 100 does everything from site grading and utilities to road construction. We work as a general contractor or as a subcontractor to other general contractors.
We’ve supported clients across a wide range of industries, including commercial, residential, government, municipalities, education, healthcare, and athletic fields. Historically there were a lot of big land clearing and earth moving jobs. Now that the area is more developed, Comer Construction also works on redevelopment projects. The core business, underground utilities and site construction, hasn’t changed in 40 years.

Major projects included supporting the construction of the new international terminal at BWI in 1997 and a complete site development package for the Ripken Stadium, hotel, and fields in 2002. Recent projects include site preparation for the new Kaiser Permanente building in Timonium, grading and utility updates at Highlandtown Elementary and Middle School, water main installation on North Avenue in Bel Air, as well as, grading and utility work for the GBMC Promise Project.

As a woman owned trade firm do you find that as an advantage or disadvantage when pursuing new work and why?

As a women-owned business, Comer Construction helps general contractors fulfill minority-owned requirements and goals. We’re happy to see the demand for these requirements increase and continue to promote our services as a women-owned business. Ultimately, it’s our reputation that keeps customers coming back. Comer Construction is certified by the Maryland Department of Transportation as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Baltimore City MBE/WBE.

Why is work site safety so important to your business?

Safety is everything! Comer Construction strives to be accident and incident free every day. We want our employees to make it home safely to their loved ones.

What was toughest job you ever had and what made it so tough?

Comer Construction’s toughest project to date was a Mid-Field Cargo and Runway Project at BWI Airport in 1997. The General Contractor was removed from the project for non-performance. Comer Construction and another General Contractor took the project over for the bonding company. The Project Inspection company was very difficult and hindered the project progress immensely, making the project very difficult.

Tell us about your community work and philanthropic donations?

Where do we start? We’re very active in the community. Volunteering and Donating in our Community, County and State is very important to Comer Construction. We support the following: