Joe Kessell, president of Interwest Construction & Development, last Wednesday dedicated his company’s new headquarters in Buckley.

Where once the operation occupied facilities in Auburn and Fife, the new building offers space for offices, corporate meetings and a maintenance area for the company’s fleet of 58 heavy trucks.

Interwest hosted some 60 people at Wednesday’s dedication, where a major client, car dealer Jerry Korum, spoke of Kessell’s dedication, and where Buckley Mayor Pat Johnson told Kessell, “We would have walked on hot coals to get you here. Your success is going to be Buckley’s success.”

Purchased in 1988 and reincorporated in 1992, Interwest now acts as the parent for five firms that deal in leasing, landscaping, property management and development. The company also owns a pair of quarries – one of 130 acres near Enumclaw and another of 10 acres near Highway 167 and Highway 18 – that provide some of the raw materials for Interwest’s primary business of “horizontal infrastructure” improvement, including grading and the provision of underground utilities.

I can see you’re a man who likes trucks. What was the first one you drove?

A 1949 International, hauling logs. I was injured in a logging accident, and I wound up working in a gas station. I’m kind of a self-made person, a high school dropout. I went back to school, at Clover Park, and was 23 when I graduated. I attended UPS and vocational colleges.

What turned you around?

I just came to the realization that I really missed the boat. I wanted to get into computers – it was the infancy. I knew I had to pick up my education. I wanted the real deal.

And did you get it?

I have a degree in computer programming, and today I can sit down with my business manager and understand everything he’s talking about – because of my education in accounting.

What was business like at the beginning?

I worked my way up through the building industry. In 1957 I was an apprentice electrician. I have always had a sense of belonging to the building industry. Carpentry, electrics, I drove long-haul trucks. Log scaling and grading.

I’ve been so broke I couldn’t buy bread for the family – in the hard times. We went for weeks without a paycheck. My wife went through a lot.

When Interwest started, I was general manager and did site development operations. I bought out my partner in 1992.

What’s next for you?

It’s not retirement. I’m always looking for a new twist. I’m vigorously seeking out opportunities that are in tune with the new economy.

Such as?

Our government is solidly infiltrated with ‘greenies.’ You’ve got to join them. We have all this equipment, we have the wherewithal, we have a lot of bright people.

Has the recession had an effect on Interwest?

It’s tough, but we’re survivors. We will make the necessary adjustments. We have tightened our belts – that means watching our fuel bills, watching our tire bills. We’re running 75 percent of our trucks now. We expect to have the rest back in 30 days.

You’ve worked for your share of other employers. Why start out on your own?

I was never satisfied getting to the top of the ladder for other people. I wanted to do it for myself. Believe me, I’ve made my share of mistakes – falling off the turnip truck a couple of times. I had a heart attack in 1995, nearly fatal. I was fortunate to recover from it.

We’ve been successful by not being showoffs. We do what works for us. We’re not just a trucking company. We’re whatever it takes to generate a project.

You’ve moved from facilities in Auburn and Fife. Why Buckley?

I bought several parcels of real estate beginning 12 years ago. It’s been a dream for 20 years. I sought out properties that were zoned for what we wanted to do. This property was an old tree farm. We love it up here on the plateau, and Buckley said, “We would love to have you.” Eighteen months after closing the purchase, we moved in.

We tried Puyallup and Algona. They were looking for sales tax. Buckley was happy to have us.

You’ve said you started Interwest with four dump trucks and six pieces of equipment. Now you’ve got a fleet of trucks and equipment, plus the quarries and the related operations. How does that happen?

We just plugged away. We just said what we were going to do. We grew methodically. You do what you say you’re going to do. In my wildest dreams – I always had aspirations, but I never thought we’d get to this level. We started in an 8-by-24 job-trailer in Fife, in a pumpkin patch. I want it to go on. I want it to live beyond me.

And you’re opening your new headquarters.

Today is a lifelong dream come true. I’m a pretty lucky guy. It’s been a wild ride, but a good one.

C.R. Roberts: 253-597-8535

c.r.roberts@thenewstribune.com