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Some people might view Worthington Paving as a throwback to the good old days when "hands-on" was the way of the world, when integrity was expected, and when doing it right the first time was the only way to do business.

If that's how they view it, so be it. Dave Worthington, second-generation owner of the 46-year-old paving company in Visalia, CA, wouldn't care. He's just doing what worked for his father, what's worked well for himself, and what he's teaching his son who plans on taking over the family business.

"My 10 fingers do the work," Worthington says. "I'm out with the guys every day. That way when I walk away I know it's done right. And I enjoy the work. If you don't enjoy the work, get out of the business."

And while it's clear Dave Worthington likes the business, enjoyment of the job is not what makes Worthington Paving successful. What has made him an in-demand contractor in the Visalia area is his solid reputation that precedes him on commercial and subcontracting jobs. He is successful because he is a hands-on contractor, because he insists on doing it right the first time, and because he's skilled enough and flexible enough to juggle a variety of work ranging from shoveling mix into a pothole to grading and paving a good-sized parking lot.

Worthington says grading and paving are mainstays of the company and always have been. He says 60% of the work is paving, 20% is grading, and 20% is sealcoating, which the company added in 1973. He says 20% of the company's work is subcontracted from larger area companies, who he makes every effort to take care of. "We do a lot of small stuff the big guys don't want to do," Worthington says.