From humble beginnings to a top Silicon Valley Best Place to Work, Preston Companies has expanded more than its founders could have imagined in the past 52 years while staying true to the core values that made a big dream become a reality.

Mike Preston’s eldest son, Kyle Preston, Vice President of Fleet Management and Estimator, grew up with a front seat to the evolution of Preston Pipelines.

Kyle describes, “I remember when Preston Pipelines was much smaller than it is today. What is now our somewhat small training room used to be our entire office, which is crazy to think about now that we take up more than the entire two-story building across the parking lot.”

What started as a small group of friends trying to serve clients, have fun, and run a profitable company turned into a multimillion-dollar business.

“I think that was the fun part for me,” says Kyle. “It was growing up watching the hard-working people I look up to do what they do best, building a company and having fun doing it. Many are still part of the company today.”

From cleaning up the yard to filing paperwork and doing takeoffs with his dad, Kyle was eager to be exposed to the ins and outs of the company from the start.

“I was fortunate to have parents who allowed me to go out on job sites when I was young, taking trips to the office and getting to meet all the different team members back then,” he continues. “I cherished the opportunity to put my work boots on and help the business. The experience was an invaluable foundation for understanding this industry.”

Although Kyle was eager to get involved in the business head-first post-high school, he was encouraged to attend a four-year university and explore his interest before joining Preston Pipelines full-time.

“I attended California State University, Chico with a major in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management. Post-graduation, I explored retail, hospitality, and customer service. I was able to go to culinary school during college and study the wine industry. Eventually, I was approached about an opening at Preston Pipelines and said yes right away. Working for my family’s company is all I have ever wanted. From the time I was a young boy, I knew I wanted to work with the people I had admired for years.”

Though it can be difficult to keep a small, family-owned company culture alive as a business grows, Preston Pipelines has managed to keep its culture strong with some big-company perks.

“We now have so many resources and are considered one of the best in the industry on all metrics, and so much of that is because of the amazing people at Preston.”

In terms of his recently appointed role as Vice President of Fleet Management, Kyle hopes to grow the department as he oversees the reporting, efficiency, and strategic directions of the equipment department.

“I’ve always had so much pride in what my family has built, looking up to my father and grandfather. My overall goal is to make them proud and pave my own way in the company,” expresses Kyle.