A 1959 University of Pittsburgh graduate, Paul Bridges earned degrees in Civil Engineering and Business and has been in the construction industry ever since.  Joining the Mellon-Stuart Company upon graduation, Bridges worked his way to Executive Vice President and ultimately, President of company subsidiaries and divisions.  Under his direction, U.S. sales volumes soared from $10 million to $800 million.

A registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Bridges left Mellon-Stuart in 1982 to form BRIDGES and Company; he incorporated the company the next year.  Pioneering the merit shop concept for the commercial, institutional and light industrial construction markets in Pittsburgh and the tri-state area, the merit shop concept now accounts for 75% of the tri-state area industry’s construction.

After only five years in business, in 1988, BRIDGES and Company was named the 28^th fastest growing new company in the U.S. by INC magazine.  That same year, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chose BRIDGES and Company as Contractor of the Year.

In 1989, Bridges was selected as a Greater Pittsburgh area Entrepreneur of the Year finalist by Arthur Young, Pittsburgh High Technology Council and INC magazine.