Williams Brothers Construction Company is a Houston-based firm that was founded in 1955 by J.K. Williams, C.K. Williams and J.D. (Doug) Pitcock, Jr. In the following year, the Interstate Highway Act was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Williams brothers were bought out in 1964 and 1984, respectively, leaving Doug Pitcock as the sole shareholder. Since 1998, the company has been in the process of converting to an employee-owned corporation.
The company has performed all of its work under the open, competitive bid process, with 95% of that work done for its principal client, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Williams Brothers has completed over 350 projects with a total value of over $17 billion making it one of the largest highway contractors in the United States as well as the largest in Texas.
1955 Founded
350+ Completed Projects
2000+ Employees
17 Billion In completed work
Quality work is a customer expectation and a corporate obligation. Williams Brothers’ commitment to quality is manifested in our completed projects, which have received awards for high quality work by TxDOT, Texas Quality Initiative, AGC of Texas, AGC of America and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. Delivering high quality projects, quickly and safely using project-tested systems and qualified personnel is of utmost importance to Williams Brothers.
With registered professional engineers on the team coupled with its vast experience, the WB team has the commensurate expertise to tackle any highway project. The corporate structure fosters the development of task and subject matter expertise. Crews are organized around the performance of specific, specialized tasks which develops exceptional capabilities and efficiency levels.
The WB team has maintained a perfect record of on-time project delivery since 1995 encompassing more than 100 projects. Timely project completion is accomplished through the use of detailed scheduling meetings to review project status and establish priorities. Detailed planning coupled with a highly motivated workforce and the philosophy of personal accountability results in timely completion.
It always counts. The management team (corporate officers) holds over 150 years of construction experience. When you consider the field team, the experience expands exponentially. The WB team has put into place over 300 projects spanning more than 60 years.
Our core values define who we are and guide every aspect of our business. They shape our culture, inform our decisions, and drive us to achieve excellence in every project we undertake. These are the foundation upon which we build lasting relationships with our clients, partners, and communities.
The safety of our employees, clients, and partners is paramount. We prioritize creating a safe working environment and implement rigorous safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries. Our goal is to achieve zero incidents on every job site, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in safety practices.
We adhere to the highest ethical standards, ensuring honesty and fairness in every action we take. Our commitment to integrity means we take responsibility for our work, uphold our promises, and always do the right thing, even when faced with difficult decisions.
Collaboration and communication are at the heart of our success. We foster a collaborative work environment where every team member’s contribution is valued. By working together and leveraging our collective expertise, we achieve remarkable results and deliver projects that stand the test of time.
We are dedicated to delivering superior quality in every project. Our attention to detail, use of premium materials, and commitment to craftsmanship ensure that we meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. We strive for excellence in every aspect of our work, from planning and design to execution and completion.
Doug Pitcock (A&M ’49), with Claude and John Williams, formed Williams Brothers Construction Company in 1955. Mr. Pitcock is owner, Chairman of the Board, and CEO. Under his leadership, Williams Brothers has become one of the largest highway/heavy contractors in the nation.
Mr. Pitcock has been a prominent transportation leader for over 40 years. He served as chairman of the Houston Chamber of Commerce transportation committee, and has twice been president of the Texas Highway Branch of the Associated General Contractors. In 1984 he was National President of the Associated General Contractors of America.
President Ford named Mr. Pitcock to serve on the National Transportation Policy Study Commission, and Governor Smith appointed him to serve on the Texas State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
As testament to his abilities to advance transportation issues, a 1984 Engineering News Record cover story referred to Mr. Pitcock as the “gentle persuader.” Mr. Pitcock was inducted into the Texas Good Roads/Transportation Association’s Hall of Fame and into the Texas Transportation Institute’s Hall of Honor. He was named one of the “Top 100 Private Sector Transportation Construction Professionals of the 20th Century” by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. Mr. Pitcock is a Distinguished Civil Engineering Alumnus of Texas A&M University.
2007 National Partnership for Highway Quality (NPHQ) State Award
2003 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Globe Award
2003 Texas Construction Best of 2003 Award for Transportation
2003 National Partnership for Highway Quality (NPHQ) Special Recognition Award
2003 Texas Quality Initiative (NPHQ) Special Recognition Award for Innovation
2003 AGC Build America Award, Special Recognition for Highway Renovation
2003 National Steel Bridge Alliance Prize Bridge Competition for Medium Span Category
2003 TXDOT Texas Project Award
2024 AGC of America Build America Merit Award
2023 DBIA Design-Build National Award of Merit
2022 ASHE Project of the Year
2011 American Transportation Awards competition in the On Time-Large Project
category for the Western Region.
Annual awards are co-sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA and the U.S.
The project received the American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s (ARBTA) Globe Award.
AGC AON Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering for Special Recognition
AGC Build America, Special Recognition for Highway Renovation
Texas Quality Initiative Making a Difference in the Risk-Taking Category
Texas Construction Best of Texas in Judges Award Category
AASHTO President’s Transportation – Public Transportation Category
American Road and Transportation Builders – Special Recognition, Bridge Category
National Partnership for Highway Quality Risk Taking Category, Silver Level
TxDOT Texas Project Award
As we serve our clients and the public in communities in which we also live and work, they continue to trust us to deliver critical infrastructure.
“I would like to thank you and your staff for the wonderful job you’ve done on our Major Drive overpass project. In my 5+ years at TxDOT, this is certainly the highest profile and time sensitive project we have done, and thanks to your hard work and dedication of your folks, we’ve been able to open both IH-10 and Major Drive ahead of schedule, much to the delight of our citizens and travelers in S.E. Texas. I’d also like to thank your leadership team…we were able to quickly address issues and kept the ball moving toward the goal line. I appreciate their partnership and willingness to work with us.”
Tucker Ferguson, (former) TxDOT Beaumont District Engineer
“I just wanted to let you and everyone at your company know how impressed I am at the professionalism of the crews that are working here in Waller, Texas. I have been observing the crew that is working in Waller as they arrive to work every day, they meet every morning to have what seems to be a team daily meeting/update.
One day as I drove by they were all exercising and the next day I witnessed them all kneeling down in prayer before their days’ work. I have never been so very proud, seems as though you are running a wonderful company that people enjoy working with; that is impressive these days. Please let the crew know that their work and dedication is not going unnoticed.
P.S. I also believe that you have one of the BEST Trackhoe operators that I have ever seen, he could possibly pick up a toothpick with that thing!”
Robin Vesmirovsky, Assistant Principals Secretary, Schultz Junior High
“Williams Brothers has been a significant contributor to the transportation system in the San Antonio District for several decades. They have built a number of interchanges and freeways in our city. They are a reliable and efficient contractor that will complete projects with excellent quality and on time.”
Mario R. Jorge, P.E., (Former) District Engineer, TxDOT San Antonio