Redwood Engineering

Early Redwood Engineering got its start in 1976, when Rob Poole got an emergency call from acquaintance and owner of Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon over the July 4th weekend. Rob took his minimal collection of tools and did the job with a friend, and at that moment Redwood Engineering was born.

By 1979, Rob purchased his first backhoe and an old Mack dump truck so he could have his own heavy equipment with which to do most of the site work required. At this time, he had no clear commitment to changing the course of Redwood Engineering, but before long Rob was doing more work with the backhoe than he was with a hammer.

By 1987, Redwood had grown to employ 37, with one full-time and one part time office assistant to work with Rob's wife, Debbie.

By 2000, Redwood had taken a turn to streamlining the company, and had reorganized as a smaller more focused operation. Redwood became know not only for the ability to handle the abstract, it was also known for doing excellent drainage problem-solving work.

Rob and Debbie's son Wes began to take an interest in the work. At age 13, Wes could run a compactor, help pave and do simple backhoe work. By the age of 16, he had become fairly competent on most machines, and by 17 he proved himself ready to learn to drive the dump trucks when he demonstrated how to back one up a twisty and narrow driveway with only one try. Before his 18th birthday he was working full time for Redwood Engineering, having acquired skills in welding, mechanics, and exhibiting job-site sense that often take decades to grasp.

Redwood Engineering is more a family-friendly centered business than ever, with Wes' wife Kelly joining Wes, Rob and Debbie in the company. With the second generation teaming together, Redwood is on track to meet the milestone of half century serving Marin County, and to continue the commitment beyond that as only a family can.