"I've always wanted to work in the construction industry," says Bob. "My dad loved this business and he was able to pass that passion on to me. I am very proud to now share the same experience with my daughter, Melissa."

In order to help better the industry, Bob has been involved in professional associations and has held numerous NARI and NAHB offices on the local, regional and national levels. These offices include:

• Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association 1990 - Present (National Association of Home Builders [NAHB] Local Chapter)
• Inner Atlanta Chapter President 2001 - 2002
• Inner Atlanta Chapter Vice President 2000 - 2001
• Inner Atlanta Chapter Treasurer 1999 - 2000
• National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) 1994 - Present
• National Regional Vice President 2000 - 2002
• Atlanta Chapter President 1997 - 1999
• Board of Directors 1994 - Present

Sharon Connelly
Operations Officer and Board Member of R.L Connelly & Co., Inc.
Sharon initially joined the company in 1973 (then R.L. Connelly & Sons, Inc.) on a part time basis learning from Bob's mother (Margaret Connelly) the back office of the business.

In 1986, she was offered a full time opportunity by one of Bob's clients to join an executive search firm specializing in venture funded start-up companies in the healthcare field as a Research Associate and later became Head of Research.

From 1992 to 2000, Sharon, as Executive Vice President and a partner started an executive search firm focused on healthcare services. Her experience included hiring all staff, responding to investors, board members, and executives responsible for delegating searches. She was also involved in interviewing executive candidates and presented potential matches to her client companies.

Meanwhile, R.L. Connelly & Co. was experiencing tremendous growth and looking for an operations person. Sharon had the experience of consulting with many companies going through similar growth pains. The timing was right to get back into the company and she was excited about the opportunity of working within the family business.

"Executive search and consulting were very rewarding," says Sharon, "but I wanted to be involved in the day-to-day operations and implementation of policies and procedures in an operating company. The experience has been beyond what I could have imagined."

Today, Sharon is the person behind the scenes who keeps everything running smoothly at R.L. Connelly & Co.

Melissa Cate
Project Manager
In 2002 the company welcomed another member of the third generation to the office when Melissa Cate came on board. Melissa graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree and then worked for three years in accounting at a local solid surface vendor. While she enjoyed the work, she decided that being outside and having direct interaction with people was the path she preferred. She began working for a recycling company to pursue outside sales; about two years later she was offered a position in sales with a local building supply company.

"I thoroughly enjoyed sales," says Melissa, "but when I received such an honorable offer to come work for my dad's company I couldn't refuse."

Melissa is now a full-time project manager and looks forward to her future with the company.