Founded by Mark Tompkins in 1980 as a landscaping business, the company expanded into landscape construction and excavating services over the years. Recognizing the potential for growth, Stacey Tompkins left her management position at Aramark in 1991 with a vision to transform Tompkins Excavating into an industry leader. Under her leadership, Tompkins has grown into a prominent site development firm with annual revenues growing from $1 million to over $12 million.
Stacey tackled the numerous challenges of securing MWBE certification. Despite facing three rejections and enduring 11 years of appeals and costly legal battles, she ultimately succeeded in achieving approval.
“The MWBE certification isn’t something our company needed to be successful, but it’s certainly something that I earned,” said Stacey, Owner and President of Tompkins Excavating. “As a woman, wife, mother of three sons, and business owner, I am acutely aware of the challenges and perceptions I need to overcome just to be on a somewhat level playing field with my male peers. As women, we often have to work harder to earn respect in our fields. We have to be relentless in our determination.”
Over the past four decades, Tompkins Excavating has been instrumental to projects throughout the Hudson Valley, including a major Rockland County project for Manhattan Beer, a Home Depot Distribution Center in Orange County, a 30-acre complex in Putnam County featuring Restaurant Depot and a Subaru Dealership, the Hamlet at Carmel housing development in Putnam County, and Westchester County projects such as the Caremount Medical Center and the Peekskill Firehouse.
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“Our growth is a testament to our innovative practices and relentless pursuit of excellence,” Stacey said. “We continuously invest in the latest technology and training to ensure we deliver the highest standards in site development services.”
Michael Coates, Project Manager for Claris Design Build praised Tompkins’ service and professionalism.
“The Tompkins Excavating team consistently excels and is known for their professionalism, reliability, and expertise,” Coates said. “They are the first trade in and the last trade out of a project and are a proven trusted resource.”
In the male-dominated construction industry, Stacey has made a significant impact. Known for addressing common industry issues such as cost overruns and delays, she prioritizes collaboration and safety, reinforcing an “everyone goes home” mantra among her 40 employees to ensure a safety-first priority.
Stacey’s leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, and she has been a featured speaker at industry trade conferences. She is actively involved in several organizations, serving on the boards of the Business Council of Westchester and the Building & Realty Institute of Westchester & the Mid-Hudson Region, while co-chairing their Women in Construction committee. Additionally, Tompkins Excavating is an active member on the UDig NY Counsel for Lower Hudson Valley. The company also engages with the community through organizations like Support Connection, Community Cares, and Her Honor Mentoring.
