The backbone of any community is its small businesses; more importantly, those that live for generations.
Hayduk Engineering recently celebrated its fortieth year in business. Started by Steve Hayduk, Sr. (pictured above) in 1984 in his apartment with rudimentary equipment, the firm has grown into a large space near Islip Airport and has been a staple in public-private partnerships across Suffolk County.
Hayduk team members and elected officials gathered at the office space in Ronkonkoma Wednesday afternoon.
“How fast forty years goes by,” said Hayduk (pictured above), Sr. Hayduk said his inspiration to start the firm came to him in college.
“I simply wanted to get a degree in engineering and be a land surveyor. I wanted to have a little office in my home,” said Hayduk. “I worked for other engineering firms for eight years after I graduated.”
Hayduk compiled a list of clients from other engineers (noncompetitively), friends, and colleagues. He then told the story of an old colleague who found him at his new office address, only to find it was Hayduk’s apartment listed as a business suite.
“I’m so proud of where we’ve come. Nobody does anything by themselves. Everything that I’ve done in my entire career has been a team effort, and I’ve been lucky enough to have people not just next to me, but behind me, as friends in the profession,” said Hayduk.
Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), Chair of the Public Works Committee, was the first to deliver remarks, saying that the Caracappa name has long been intertwined with the Hayduk name, dating back to his mother, Rose, and his brother, Joseph.
“We’re no strangers to some of the incredible projects Hayduk Engineering has done throughout Suffolk County,” said Caracappa, saying that their partnership with the County has been “instrumental.” Caracappa listed projects in which Hayduk Engineering has been involved, including Veterans monuments, such as Bald Hill, and sewage treatment plants.
“There’s a lot of pride, blood, sweat, and tears with your names on it and we’re all grateful for that,” said Caracappa. “We expect to see a whole lot more going on in the next forty years.”
Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) (pictured above) congratulated the firm on two decades in business, remarking on her long work experience with Hayduk.
“[Then-County Executive] Bob Gaffney (R) had the foresight to have Steve Hayduk be his commissioner at the DPW. I saw Steve’s expertise, professionalism, and passion, especially when it came to forming the Veterans Commission to make sure that that incredible monument at Bald Hill got designed, built, and is standing there for future generations,” said Carpenter. Carpenter related to Hayduk Sr.’s eventual handing down of the firm to his son, Steven Hayduk, Jr., saying she once owned a business that eventually got passed down to her son.
“This man and his company are really the personification of the American dream,” said Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Center Moriches). “A person who drops out of Deer Park High School to serve in the military, comes back after being honorably discharged, graduates from Suffolk Community College, graduates from RIT, starts the business out of his apartment, and now has flourished and grown.”
Panico (pictured above) called the firm a “catalyst” for development and that they are a big part of the revitalization initiative in downtown Mastic Beach.
“Their work in Brookhaven Town is going to leave a lasting legacy that is going to be talked about long after we are all gone,” said Panico.
Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer (D-North Babylon) remarked that during his time in the County Legislature, his colleagues refused to confirm any of then-Executive Gaffney’s nominees. Schaffer said he “didn’t regret” giving Hayduk his vote for Suffolk County’s DPW Commissioner.
“He has had a long-lasting impact on the future of Suffolk County with the projects that were done, with the work that was accomplished through DPW,” said Schaffer.
Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) (pictured above) completed the ensemble of town supervisors at Wednesday’s celebration.
“We just got finished with a $2.8 million project at Callahan’s Beach on the Long Island Sound,” said Wehrheim. “Many residents were beating us [the Smithtown Town Board] up because it wasn’t being done on a timely basis. Hayduk Engineering was there for us, and the result of that, Smithtown and Hayduk Engineering won three awards for environmental and engineering services to the town of Smithtown.”
Charlie Lefkowitz, Chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), wrapped remarks on Hayduk’s honor.
“I’ve worked both in the private sector and public sector with Steve and Steve Jr., and the fact is that they’re here passing the torch to the next generation. I look forward to working with Hayduk Engineering, to keep Suffolk County where it is as the greatest county in this state and one of the greatest counties in this country,” said Lefkowitz.
Following remarks, the ribbon was cut, and another forty years in business were toasted by attendees. Guests were treated to a barbecue cookout, as well as food and beverage trucks and lawn games.
Other elected officials in attendance included Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow, Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro (R-Shoreham), and Smithtown Councilman Tom Lohmann (R-Smithtown).