Proud Finalists for Entrepreneur of Excellence Award

Each year Fort Worth Inc., the region’s top business magazine, hosts an Entrepreneur of Excellence award ceremony honoring business leaders who have made a significant impact in making Fort Worth the premier place to do business. This annual award highlights Fort Worth’s most effective entrepreneurs across many industry categories.

The award ceremony took place on November 3rd at the prestigious Fort Worth Club, where our President, Chris Lee, and Business Manager, Zac Chaffin, were honored to be selected as finalists in the residential construction category. Even though the awards program does not have a commercial construction category, we are delighted to be included amongst the top construction companies in Fort Worth.

They were joined by several of our team members, who were all treated to a fantastic meal and delicious cocktails and surrounded by some of Fort Worth’s most accomplished business leaders. The ballroom was roaring with laughter as Four Day Weekend, the city’s premier comedy troupe, put on one heck of a comedy show.

Although Chris and Zac didn’t win, they both acknowledge that it was an incredible honor even to be considered for the award, much less be named finalists. Chris says, “Hopefully, we’ll be blessed enough to be nominated again next year so we can win!”

How We Got Here

It’s no surprise that Chris and Zac were selected as finalists for this prestigious award, as the history of how the company was built and continues to evolve reflects their hard work and dedication to success.

EarthWorks was founded in the 1970s by Mark and Mana Chaffin. With a $1,000 loan from Mark’s parents, they purchased landscape equipment, a truck, and a trailer. 

They built the business steadily over the next 20 years but realized they needed the help of their son, Chris. At the time, Chris worked as a Loan Officer at a car dealership in Wyoming. He packed up his things and joined the company in Dallas. Over the next 15 years, Chris helped the business gain more than $10 million in revenue, increase its staff by 200 employees, expand into two locations, purchase 600 pieces of equipment and 60 vehicles in the company’s fleet.

About ten years ago, Mark and Mana’s youngest son, Zac, graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in business and joined the company shortly after. Over the last decade, the brothers (with the support of their amazing team) have grown the company to more than $30 million in revenue, over 300 employees, added another location, and increased their fleet to 160 vehicles.

EarthWorks is now one of the largest landscaping companies in the US…all built on a $1,000 loan in the late 1970s!

“While today Mark and Mana would say they are not active members of EarthWorks, they still serve as a compass and sound voice when the team has to make big decisions,” according to the brothers.

We are so proud of our company’s history and the hard work it was built on!