Mark Santacrose, the executive chairman of Tecta America, will retire as of the end of December from his role at one of the largest commercial contractors in the nation.

In a letter to employees, Santacrose said the decision to step down is the final step in a long-term succession plan put in place during the COVID pandemic with CEO Dave Reginelli.

Santacrose was the first CEO hired by Tecta’s 10 founders in 2001. He joined the board in 2012 and became executive chairman in 2020.

“I have such a deep appreciation for the people who have made this company an exceptional place to work, and there is no doubt that I am eternally grateful to the original Founders who agreed to bring me on board following a crazy meeting at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas back in spring of 2001,” Santacrose wrote.

Celebrating 25 years in business, Tecta America has repeatedly topped RC’s Top 100 lists, hitting the billion-dollar revenue mark in 2022. In a video interview discussing the company’s 25th anniversary, Santacrose expressed how he couldn’t have imagined hitting $1 billion in revenue when joining the company.

“Revenue is not something we ever focus on, it happens by doing lots of good things,” he said. “Our growth has been the result of having wonderful people working for the company and our constant quest to find top contractors that would be willing to join us.”

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In the first 20 years, the company grew from 17 to 75 locations through a deliberate yet aggressive growth strategy. Tecta has done over 51 deals since 2000 and at least 31 in the last 10 years. Amid the flood of private equity companies and platforms entering the industry, Tecta’s philosophy focuses on looking for partners rather than sellers.

“When I started, there were a number of consolidations going on in the industry, and we’re the only one that really lasted and came out the other end. Not because we’re the smartest people in the room — we’re still standing. We learned from a lot of mistakes, and at this point we’re fine-tuned,” Santacrose said.

Though he is stepping down as executive chairman, he said he will remain on the Tecta board for “as long as ownership wants me.”

“It has been the honor of my lifetime to work with all of you,” Santacrose wrote in his letter. “I could not be more proud to have been a part of the development of this exceptional company, and I look forward to advising and cheering all of you on for years to come.”