Looking Back 20 Years with Founders Robert Ariosa and Paul McElhiney:
In 2006, after 25 years at L.H. Cranston and Sons for me, and 15 years for Paul, we made the decision to start our own company. It wasn’t a decision we took lightly—after several years of planning, we finally took the leap.
It was a moment filled with excitement and uncertainty—but we knew that even if we failed, it would be better than staying in an environment that no longer reflected our values.
The idea was born in a simple moment. After attending a Backflow Preventer class, we sat down at Glory Days for beer and started talking seriously about building something of our own. That conversation planted the seeds for what would become Ariosa & Company
At the time, the labor market was tight, and we knew we were entering a competitive space with more established companies. We didn’t claim to have all the answers, but we made a commitment: we would outwork the competition, treat people the right way, and build strong relationships with our customers, vendors, and employees. We believed in the Golden Rule—treat others as you would want to be treated—and we built our business around that principle.
From the beginning, we focused on long-term relationships rather than quick wins. We often said we’d rather complete ten $1,000 jobs than one $10,000 job—because earning trust and repeat business mattered most.
Internally, we set out to build more than just a company—we wanted a family-oriented organization that delivered quality work and created a lasting legacy. Our goal was never a quick sale or short-term gain, but to make decisions that would benefit the 100+ families who depended on our business.
We also believed that if we expected to be paid as professionals, we needed to act like professionals—running a disciplined, well-managed business, not just operating as a contractor.
In the early years, our office was located on York Road. My sister Diane generously worked with us for about a year without pay to help us get started. We even relied on my father’s Professional Plumbing License.
Our initial business plan projected $3.5 million in revenue in year one, $7.5 million in year two, and $8.5 million in year three—and remarkably, we came very close to achieving those goals. We took on any job that came our way. Paul even did block work and built steps for a friend. Our first job totaled $1,453!
We were incredibly grateful for the support of those who believed in us early on—Mark, Drew, Steve, Donnie, Travis, Chris, Randy, and many others who contributed along the way.
In 2012, we moved into our office on Stenersen Lane, and since then, we’ve continued to grow. This year, we are on track to approach $40 million in revenue. To date, we’ve completed over 1,000 major projects—along with thousands of service and specialty jobs—and have been honored with numerous awards for craftsmanship and safety.
Some of our notable projects include Fort McHenry Education Center, the Maryland State House, the Capitol Dome, Johns Hopkins University, HUD Bloomberg, 100 E. Pratt, Baltimore Sunpapers, Kroger, US Lacrosse, Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, Lexington Market, St. Mary’s Seminary, O’Dwyer Retreat House, Baltimore Country Club, and many others across healthcare, education, government, and community spaces.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. We’ve had our share of setbacks— economic downturns in the 2009–2010 recession, the impact of COVID, the loss of valued team members like Mike Horn, Frank Cole, Bobby Jones and Rob Campson. But through it all, we’ve persevered—and with faith and determination, we will continue to do so.
What makes all of this truly meaningful is our ability to give back. Every year, we donate $50,000–$75,000 to charitable causes and have helped build initiatives like the O’Dwyer Safe Works Park Heights Community Center. These efforts reflect who we are and what we stand for.
None of this would have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire team. It takes all of us.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s continue building something even greater—and make the next 20 years better than the first.
