Stutsman-Gerbaz Earthmoving, Inc. was started in 1960 when Dick Stutsman and Jerry Gerbaz purchased a small earthmoving business in Aspen, Colorado.
OUR FOUNDERS
The Start of Stutsman Gerbaz Inc by Jerry Gerbaz:
Aspen, CO, summer of 1960, Dick Stutsman was working for a man named Henry Stein, owner of Two Ranches on McClain Flatts. Henry and both fathers of Dick and Jerry incentivized them to buy a small excavation business in Aspen. All three men co-signed for the business with the help of their father’s and the first national bank in Glenwood, CO to pursue their passion of earthmoving.
The start of Stutsman-Gerbaz began solely with Dick Stutsman and Jerry Gerbaz. The partners shut down around Thanksgiving to work on Aspen mountain only to fire back up in April to endeavor at their new venture for the spring, summer and fall months. The first couple years were slower and little to no competition in the Roaring Fork Valley. Four years into the journey, Dick and Jerry began to hire summer help as demand increased. Summer of ’69 was the summer the men started working year-round. The company fostered a small work environment and continued diligent work with just fifteen guys. Along with the extra help, the children of Dick and Jerry began to work with the company during the summer months.
The company’s first machine was 933 Caterpillar Trackloader and an International tandem truck. As the company grew the men began buying more toys such as, International trackloader and a rubber tire backhoes. Fast forward down the road, they found themselves in a bigger sand box among bigger toys with a fleet of Ford trucks and Caterpillar machines. Stusman-Gerbaz Inc. started out with a mixture of both small residential and commercial projects. As the town became more populated, the growth of Aspen began - allowing Dick and Jerry to produce bigger and more technical projects.
The first big project that Stutsman-Gerbaz tackled was Snowmass Village and Aspen Square. More advanced projects continued to approach the team, such as the Miners Building and prominent celebrity of times home. These projects assisted the men in becoming more well-known for their exceptional work thus creating themselves a name in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Stutsman-Gerbaz work caught the eye of John Hubinger of Aspen Construction. John convinced the company to buy more equipment to work on his projects. As Stutsman-Gerbaz projects continued to captivate customers, John became a key influencer in the expansion of Stutsman-Gerbaz Inc.
“We believed you were only as good as the men and women that worked for you.”
OUR HISTORY
THE BEGINNING
Aspen, CO, summer of 1960, Dick Stutsman was working for a man named Henry Stein, owner of Two Ranches on McClain Flatts. Henry and both fathers of Dick and Jerry incentivized them to buy a small excavation business in Aspen. All three men co-signed for the business with the help of their father’s and the first national bank in Glenwood, CO to pursue their passion of earthmoving.
Pitkin Reserve Subdivision
Stutsman Gerbaz landed a large job installing complete subdivision utilities and drive surfaces with minimal disturbance to existing landscape.
ISIS THEATER
Tasked with saving an existing south and west Victorian era building while excavating 28 feet below.
The Sundeck
Excavating at 11,212 feet in elevation that started in April with a deadline of total completion by the upcoming ski season.
MUSIC TENT
One of the first buildings with a newer type of construction in Aspen. Aspen High School: Excavating while maintaining existing buildings to keep school in session by moving sporadically to create a bigger twice its original size.
Underground Parking at the Alps
Successfully handled mine contaminated soils while excavating deep into the town of Aspen.
MORNING STAR SUBDIVISION
Minimal disturbance to existing landscape, installing utilities.
GPS TECHNOLOGY
Adopted GPS technology which has increased efficiency and productivity by 15% on an overall project. We have staggeringly decreased downtime and increased accuracy of a finished product.
TILT BUCKET TECHNOLOGY
Our tilt bucket has increased precision and efficiency since various angles can be achieved. We have been able to decrease labor on the ground, increat precision, and decrease labor.
OIL QUICK TECHNOLOGY
Integration of European technology that allows an excavator to become multi-dimensional with the ability to change between various attachments from the ease of inside the cab. Oil quick couplers have increased safety, time and efficiency for our operators and jobs. Read more here.
SOME OF OUR PAST NOTABLE PROJECTS:
Miners Building; ISIS Movie Theater; The Sardy House; The Aspen Mtn. Sundeck; Pitkin Reserve Subdivision; Morning Star Subdivision; Sky View Subdivision; The Pitkin House; Aspen High School Addition & Remodel; The Roaring Fork Club Cabins; The North of Nell Building; The Aspen Square Building; Red Butte Ranch; The Aspen Meadows Resort; The Benedict Music Tent; Two of the First Lodges of Snowmass Village; Underground Parking at Alps; Morning Star Subdivision
OUR TEAM
Shay Stutsman, President
Dave Stutsman, Vice President
Jake Kinney, Vice President of Field Operations
Adam Fortier, Chief Financial Officer
Julie Garner, Accounting
Eddie Aragon, Project Manager
Jr Flores, Field Supervisor
Jenah Fuechsel, Project Engineer
Ken Jammaron, Trucking Supervisor
Lisa Thorpe, Accounting
Vinda Masse, Estimator
Gabriel Flores, Field Supervisor
Raul Silva, Construction Survey Engineer