Our
Story
Inspired by one man’s dream
H.B. Zachry
Founder
H.B. "Pat" Zachry
In 1924, founder H.B. "Pat" Zachry, created H.B. Zachry Company and became a leader in the construction industry by developing and employing an experienced workforce, an innovative approach to management, and improving the construction industry with advanced control systems. In 2008, after significant growth and success, the company realigned the business to prepare for the future under the third generation of Zachry family leadership. Today, Zachry Corporation and its affiliates and subsidiaries stand independently to continue the Zachry legacy guided by Mr. Pat’s personal Philosophy of “seeking opportunity – not security.”
Henry "Bartell" Zachry Jr,
Bartell Zachry Jr. was known throughout the world as a visionary executive in the engineering and construction industry. Born in Laredo in 1933, Bartell served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He then joined the H.B. Zachry Company, started by his father, H.B. “Pat” Zachry Sr., and privately held to this day. Within seven years, Bartell took over as president, and the company developed projects around the world, from U.S. embassies to power plants to highways.
Bartell ensured customers were provided a quality product, to employ good people, and to help them provide for their families with enough left over to support community needs. Collecting material possessions or gaining political influence was never his goal.
David Zachry
Current CEO
"Together we continue the legacy of my grandfather, who, in seven decades of leadership demonstrated initiative, innovative thinking, and passion for his work. His willingness to take calculated risks contributed to his success, he was committed to doing the right thing, and he was dedicated to our people. We continue to follow his example and do the right thing in all of our endeavors."
Our
History
Even the extraordinary has humble beginnings – what started with a single construction project in South Texas is now a large-scale, diverse company operating in the construction, hospitality, and aggregates markets. We base every action on our strong Core Values and a sense of family. This is the house that Zachry built.
Company relocates from Laredo to San Antonio
H.B. Zachry Company moves its headquarters to the budding metropolitan area to further aid the company’s expansion in South Texas and beyond.
1952
Zachry incorporates Capitol Aggregates
H.B. Zachry Company receives a contract from the United States Air Force to rebuild runways at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. Rather than purchase materials from another supplier, the company determines it would be more efficient to start its own sand, gravel, and ready-mix operations. Capitol Aggregates is incorporated on March 27, 1957, as a subsidiary of the H.B. Zachry Company.
1957
1959
Capitol begins dredging the Colorado River in Austin
Capitol begins dredging the Colorado River in Austin, Texas to increase the river’s depth and width. It took 12 years to complete.
Zachry wins largest single contract in U.S. History
Zachry wins largest single contract in U.S. history. Zachry and five other contracts are awarded the largest, single contract in U.S. history to develop the Yuba River in California. The Yuba River project was one of the first great successes of the post H.B. “Pat Zachry era.
1966
Zachry completes the Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel in record time
H.B. Zachry Company builds the 21-story Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel in a record 202 days using modular design and construction techniques that enabled workers to cut the typical construction schedule by half. Today, the Hilton Palacio del Rio is still owned and operated by Zachry Hospitality, a subsidiary of Zachry Corporation.
1968
H.B. “Pat” Zachry steps down
H.B. “Pat” Zachry Steps down from H.B. Zachry Company, Bartell Zachry, son of Pat, becomes president.
1965
Capitol Aggregates Cement Plant starts producing
Capitol Aggregates Cement Plant goes online in San Antonio, Texas with capabilities of producing one million barrels (approximately 188,000 tons) of cement annually.
1984
H. B. "Pat" Zachry passes away
H. B. "Pat" Zachry passes away on September 5, 1984.
1980
Zachry wins a record-setting highway contract
The Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation awards Zachry a record $63.5 million contract to reconstruct the North Loop 410/I-35 interchange in San Antonio, Texas.
1998
David Zachry is named president of the Civil Group
David Zachry is named president of the Civil Group.
Capitol Aggregates expands
The company’s efforts to expand continues with the completion of the Marble Falls Quarry and a drew dredging operation at the Austin River Plant.
Staybridge Suites Downtown Convention Center
Zachry Construction builds the Staybridge Suites Downtown Convention Center Hotel in San Antonio’s Historic Sunset Station. Zachry Hospitality adds another property to its ownership portfolio.
2007
H.B. Zachry Company realigns into two separate and unaffiliated business entities.
David Zachry retains the original company logo and forms Zachry Corporation and assumes ownership of Zachry Construction Corporation and its heavy, highway and building construction divisions, Capitol Aggregates, and Zachry Hospitality.
John Zachry forms Zachry Holdings, currently Zachry Group, and assumes ownership of Zachry's industrial divisions.
2013
Zachry's work on State Highway 99 in Houston Texas, also known as the Grand Parkway, is part of the largest project ever from the Texas Department of Transportation and was completed in the shortest period-of-time per mile.
SH 99 becomes first $1 billion dollar project for Zachry
Zachry announces company realignment
2008
Capitol Aggregates expands
Capitol Aggregates purchases 1100 acres in New Braunfels, Texas and opens the Solms Plant.
2014
2015
David Zachry becomes American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) chairman. In December, testified on highway program consolidation and project delivery reform at a House Oversight & Government Reform Committee hearing.
David Zachry testifies before a House committee
In March, Zachry Hospitality acquires Embassy Suites Airport Hotel by Hilton in San Antonio, Texas. The 261-room hotel is located adjacent to the San Antonio International Airport and is 7.5 miles from downtown.
Zachry Hospitality acquires Embassy Suites Airport Hotel
H.B. “Pat” Zachry resigns from the Texas Highway Department in 1924 to pursue his own business. His first contract was a series of four concrete-reinforced bridges in Laredo, Texas, aided in part by mule-drawn wagons. This project gave birth to H.B. Zachry Company.
Pat Zachry founded H.B. Zachry Company
1924
H.B. Zachry Company is incorporated
The Company secures a series of small contracts over the years since its inception, leading to its official incorporation on July 31, 1930.
1930
H.B. Zachry Company wins first federal contract
The company’s first federal contract as H.B. Zachry Company which was a concrete paving work for the United States Army Corps of Engineers at Randolph Field (now Randolph Air Force Base) in San Antonio, Texas.
1931
Zachry purchases Trans-Pecos Valley Southern Railroad/Hoban Plant
On February 28, 1968, Trans-Pecos Materials along with the Pecos Valley Southern Railroad were incorporated by Zachry Company interests.
Rio Medina Plant
Capitol Aggregates built the Rio Medina Plant in 2017 and started running the operation for product and loadout in January 2018. This operation services the west and north side of San Antonio because of growth opportunities moving west of San Antonio with residential homes and businesses.
Zachry Hospitality completes the Landmark Hotel
Zachry Construction builds the Embassy Suites Landmark Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. This hotel becomes the fourth hotel owned and operated by Zachry Hospitality.
2018
2019
David Zachry is awarded the "ARTBA" award
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) awards David Zachry the ARTBA award recognizing his outstanding contributions to the transportation construction industry.
David Zachry takes over Construction
In March, Jean Abiassi retires as CEO of Zachry Construction Corporation and David Zachry takes on the role of CEO. Travis Mross becomes Executive Vice President.
2020
2021
Zachry Corporation moves headquarters to Walker Ranch
In November, Zachry Corporation moves headquarters to the Walker Ranch location at 14410 Wurzbach Parkway in San Antonio, Texas.
COVID-19
In February, the Coronavirus, COVID-19, began spreading rapidly. Zachry took precautions by putting an executive team in place, incorporated new policies and procedures to keep team members safe and offer medical and financial support if needed.
Henry Bartell Zachry passes
Henry Bartell Zachry, Jr., passed away on June 10, 2020, He believed in the goodness of people and considered it both a duty and a privilege to serve others, from his family to his employees to his fellow citizens.
2017
Capitol purchases Delta Materials which produces high-quality sandstone used to build safe, durable Texas highways.
1988
Capitol purchases Delta Materials
2023
Zachry Hospitality breaks ground on The Monarch San Antonio, a Curio Collection hotel by Hilton.
This 200-room upscale hotel is a pivotal player in shaping the Hemisfair Park redevelopment.