The PREMIER Construction Legacy Continues…
The Ghazvini family represents all that is good about America. Their eldest son, Mehrdad, immigrated to the States from Iran in the mid-seventies.
One by one, other family members followed beginning with his younger brothers, and later his parents.
They came to live their American dream – a dream of independence, freedom, and entrepreneurship. By realizing that dream, the Ghazvini family created an opportunity for thousands of Tallahassee residents to realize theirs.
In 1975, Mehrdad Ghazvini was a young and irrepressible émigré, who started what would become a multi-million dollar enterprise beginning with his first job at a fast-food chain in Miami. His nickname – Pepper – resulted from unending bouts of energy and infectious enthusiasm. None of the stories about his fiery personality demonstrate this better than the story of his first day on the job.
After interviewing with a burger joint for an entry-level position, the manager called all potential recruits together and explained the pay was $2.50 an hour and they would make their hiring decisions in a week.
Pepper raised his hand and told the manager that he needed a job right now and he’d accept $2.00 if he could start that day. Taken aback by his determination, the manager told Pepper he couldn’t hire him at less than minimum wage, but he would hire him all the same.
Pepper had a natural talent for leadership. He intuitively knew that great leaders are those who are not above doing what they ask their staff to do. Even after the obvious success of Premier Construction and Development, Inc., the family’s flagship enterprise, Pepper could be found in the field operating a bulldozer while wearing his business clothes. “Whatever it takes” was his personal mantra. And he meant it.
The Ghazvini family dabbled in several entrepreneurial opportunities, including a carpet cleaning business, before landing on the model that would make them successful. While they worked second jobs and attended school, the three brothers: Pete, Pepper and Steve, bought dilapidated rental properties and renovated them during their free time. While sitting for his real-estate license, Pepper met Tom
Asbury, and the partnership that would become Premier Construction and Development was formed.
Although they spoke English well, there were words the Ghazvini family refused to adopt, words like “no”; “it’s impossible”; and, “it can’t be done.”
That attitude served them well. After overcoming a lot of “No’s” and “It’s Impossible” Premier’s first development, a town home complex known as Charleston Square, came to fruition. Fifteen years later, Premier Construction celebrates a solid reputation for building quality homes and being good stewards of the communities they create.
Crown molding, wood flooring and solid surface counter tops are often standard features in a Premier home. In a difficult real estate market where competitors will cut corners to gain an edge, Premier stands out as one of the good guys. Regardless the price, there is never a compromise for quality and craftmanship in a Premier home, currently building in 12 of the communities Premier has developed, they are offering homes ranging between $150 and $500 thousand.
The Premier motto is, “Good Neighbors Make Good Friends.” As neighbors and friends to many of their customers, the Ghazvini family lives their motto as a personal mission statement. Homeowners entrust their biggest investment to the Premier Construction staff and they take that responsibility seriously.
Pepper infused his company with the belief that respect is not guaranteed; it must be earned. So, a Premier customer is involved in every phase of building their home, from inspection to decoration. Pepper kept his hand on every detail, large or small, because he knew that, while it was a customer’s home, it was Premier’s reputation. That attitude is carried on today, even in Pepper’s absence.
That positive reputation affords Premier continued success today. Of all Premier’s accomplishments and generous giving programs, perhaps the point of greatest pride is that many of their homeowners return to Premier for their second and third homes.
Premier is dedicated to building quality, safe, and friendly neighborhoods. Each of their unique communities reflects this vision, resulting in communities that are healthy, beautiful, and physically nurturing.
Pepper built a company that was passionate about community, not just in the sense of creating them with bricks and mortar, but of nurturing a sense of community through good works.
As a child, Pepper was known to give his allowance money to poorer children in the streets of Iran. One day he secretly took all the clothes from his closet and gave them to a family with children about his age and size. He was as naturally gifted with compassion as he was with leadership skills.
Premier Construction and Development was built on the cornerstones of hard work and benevolence. Premier builds exceptional homes and neighborhoods, but they also make a difference in the lives of those who may never live in such neighborhoods.
Premier supports several non-profit organizations, programs and activities that serve Tallahassee. Premier has built playgrounds, donated land for area parks and recreational facilities, and contributed significantly to the less fortunate throughout the Big Bend.
Each year, Premier sponsors a shopping spree for more than 150 under-privileged children throughout Leon County. The hope is to give poor children the Christmas of their dreams. Coordinated with Florida State University, children are given the chance to shop with an FSU athlete at a local retailer of their choice. For many, it’s the only Christmas gift they’ll receive.
Recently, Premier supported the armed forces through the citywide
“Yellow Ribbon Campaign” and they co-sponsored “Rally for America”, matching all donated funds and sending hundreds of care packages to soldiers in the Middle East. To further their support of the troops, Premier partnered with area schools and developed “Pennies for Postage” so families could afford to continue mailing care packages.
As immigrants trying to eek out a living upon their arrival, the Ghazvini family understood better than most, that homeownership can be a confusing and trying ordeal. Premier’s overriding mission is to make the transition from renter to homeowner not only possible, but also easier. They work with local lenders to help customers not only find but afford the house they’ve always wanted. They walk the homeowner through every step of the complicated and often cumbersome building process, so they don’t feel left in the dark.
In total, the Ghazvini family runs three companies: Premier Construction and Development, which provides affordable housing for Tallahassee’s residents; Sandco, which provides quality paving, site development and road building; and Dr. Pete’s FORME Chiropractic, which provides convenient and modern chiropractic healthcare.
Pepper Ghazvini died in February of 2007. His death marked the end of a great life, and the beginning of an even greater legacy. Pepper’s two brothers, his long-time partner Tom Asbury, Kristina Petrandis, and now, his son, Jason Ghazvini run Premier Construction and Development, Inc., and they will continue to expand Pepper’s vision of creating cohesive communities.
Just before he died, one of his younger employees said, “Boss, I want to be just like you when I get older.”
Pepper responded, as he was dashing out the door, “Why wait.”
Why wait, indeed.
