SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Alston Construction has received two separate recognitions from the Sacramento Business Journal this year: being named a Sacramento Best Place to Work, and being featured among local businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries, as Alston marks 40 years in business.

The Best Places to Work Awards recognize local employers who have built outstanding workplace cultures. Rankings are based on confidential employee surveys measuring team dynamics, trust in leadership, communication and other markers of a strong workplace, with only the top-scoring companies in each size category earning recognition. Alston was named among this year’s 55 honorees and was celebrated alongside them on Aug. 20, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, where the Business Journal also announced the top three companies in each of five size categories.

“40 years is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of, especially knowing Alston’s story began right here in Sacramento. What stands out most is the dedication of our team. Starting projects in the middle of a wet winter and still staying on schedule and on budget speaks volumes about their commitment and resilience. Most importantly, we take pride in knowing our clients are happy and that our teams continue to deliver exceptional work, no matter the conditions,” said Rod Field, Vice President/Regional Manager.

Alston’s culture centers on recognizing employees, creating paths for advancement and supporting people as part of a team rather than simply a workforce. The company pairs that culture with competitive compensation and benefits, reinforcing a workplace where employees feel valued, appreciated and set up to reach their full potential.

Alston Construction was featured in the Business Journal’s coverage of local businesses and nonprofits celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. Ahead of that coverage, the Business Journal hosted an Aug. 11 dinner at The Jacquelyn social club in Midtown Sacramento with leaders of the honored organizations, followed by an on-the-record Q&A with each company.

Asked what advice he’d give other CEOs about building a company that lasts, Paul D. Little pointed to character over credentials: “Hire for character and integrity above all else. Construction isn’t an overly complex business, but it is a relationship business. Clients, subcontractors and employees are drawn to people they trust. Skills can be taught.”

Little also spoke to how the industry has changed since Alston’s founding, pointing to the rise of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the software tools the company now uses to visualize projects throughout design and construction. He described Alston’s own evolution as well: what began as an integrated contractor tied to a single real estate development company has, over the past 20 years, become a diversified industrial contractor serving more than 100 clients, with work ranging from manufacturing facilities to AI data centers.

Founded in Sacramento in 1986, Alston has grown into a diversified industrial general contractor, construction manager and design-build firm serving more than 100 clients across 20 offices nationwide, with project work spanning manufacturing facilities, cold storage, mission critical and AI data center markets.