The N.C. Department of Labor has certified Choate Construction as a participant in the Building Star Award program during a special ceremony held Monday at the company’s Charlotte location.

Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry presented company officials with the Building Star Award during the event.

“I am pleased with Choate’s strong commitment to the safety of its employees and this honor is well deserved,” Commissioner Berry said. “The employee-owned atmosphere at this fine facility is just one demonstration that they are putting their workers first. We are proud to have them in North Carolina.”

Choate Construction was founded in 1989 as a basement start-up. Today, Choate has over 400 full-time employees and is 100% employee-owned. Choate was voted ENR Southeast Magazine’s Contractor of the Year and is also celebrating its one-year anniversary as an employee-owned company. Choate has offices in Charlotte, and Raleigh, North Carolina; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. The company is involved in commercial construction projects across all industries.

“Choate Construction is honored to be accepted into the North Carolina Building Star Program and is excited about our partnership with the NCDOL,” said Dave Priester, president and chief operating officer of Choate. “We are proud of the passion our employee-owners display for our OneLife safety identity, and partnered with the Building Star Program, know we can continue to raise the bar even higher.”

The Carolina Star Program is designed to recognize and promote effective safety and health management systems. The Star Program encourages worksites to partner with NCODL’s Occupational Safety and Health Division to proactively prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses.