Alumni in the News
Michael Baca – BS, Accounting, 1990
Beehive Standard Weekly – October 19, 2006 MS Companies endure after death of founder. In February 2004, Stephensen, president of MS Companies, approved management changes that produced very positive results during the next few years. Stephensen turned over the reins to the company’s senior leadership team of Chief Operating Officer Michael Baca, Vice President of Construction Tab Wilstead, Director of Sales and Marketing, Ray Nelson, and Treasurer Henry Heintz.
Under the guidance of this leadership team, MS Companies made several new acquisitions in the next two years. In early 2004, MS Companies expanded its resources with the purchase of Kukurin Concrete. In December 2005, Universal Door and Trim and Bronco Construction were acquired to become MS Door and Trim and MS Framing.
Nedra Thornton Stephensen, Mark Stephensen’s wife and owner of MS Companies, said, "Mark and I both have the utmost trust in the senior management team. They have been working in this capacity for the past two to three years. They are going forward, and there will not be any changes. The family trusts them. We have very loyal employees and we will move ahead."
Stephensen’s legacy is MS Companies, offering concrete and framing in Southern Nevada with over 700 employees. The company offers reliable services throughout Southern Nevada. Services provided by MS Companies include all facets of concrete, framing, door and trim, landscaping and dirt haul-off.
Stephensen set the bar high with a company philosophy that includes providing value, service, quality and tradition with a business built on principles of teamwork and a strong code of conduct.
MS Companies’ reputation and commitment has resulted in strong relationships with top builders, developers and contractors. The company has completed many notable projects within Southern Nevada. In 2003, MS Concrete was the first concrete subcontractor in the United States to be certified with the NAHB under their quality certification program.
Daryl Thornton, president of Nevada Ready Mix, said, "I have been doing business with MS Concrete and Mark Stephensen ever since the company began, and they have been an excellent firm to work with. They are one of the largest housing sub-contractors. Mark turned over the company management to Mike Baca and Tab Wilstead a few years ago, and they have run it to perfection. I feel confident they will continue this way and do well in the future."
"MS Concrete takes their commitment to quality seriously," said Don DelGiorno, president of KB Home's Las Vegas division. "They were the first concrete contractor in the U.S. to be certified with the National Housing Quality Program, and it shows. KB Home is fortunate to have had a long relationship with MS Concrete, and we expect to continue building thousands of homes with their help for many years to come."
Michael Baca, Tab Wilstead, Henry Heintz, and Ray Nelson form a solid management team, overseeing and maintaining operations with the same high standards that developers and associates expect.
Baca, a Utah State University graduate with an accounting major and business administration minor, brings a wealth of expertise to the company. Baca began his career at Arthur Anderson in 1990, and Baca accepted the position of controller at MS Companies in 1998. In 1999, he became the company’s chief financial officer. Baca was promoted to the chief operating officer for MS Companies in February 2004.
Wilstead brings more than 31 years of experience to MS Companies. After joining MS Companies in 1987, Wilstead held many management positions up until February 2004, when he was promoted to vice president of construction.
Henry Heintz, treasurer for MS Companies, has been with MS Companies for 31 years. He has a master’s degree in education from Pennsylvania State University. His responsibilities include sales, marketing and contracts.
Nelson has been with MS Companies for 21 years. Nelson has held many positions in construction before transferring to the estimating department in 1992. In June 2006, Nelson was promoted from Sales Estimating Manager to Director of Sales and Marketing.
Stephensen, 60, passed away at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada from complications from a brain tumor after being diagnosed in April 2006. Stephensen’s expertise in the construction and building industry spanned more than 37 years. Stephensen was an active community leader and was extremely charitable and generous.
Stephensen is survived by his wife, Nedra Thornton Stephensen; his father, Loren; his brother, LaRell; his children, sons, Todd, Kirk and Jimmy, and daughter, Laura Stephensen Alcorn; his grandchildren, Chase, Colby, Cody, Tyler, Shelby, Greg; and numerous nieces and nephews.
MS Companies, embarking on its future, with an impressive legacy under Stephensen, moves forward with seasoned leadership and dynamic goals.