On this episode of North State Rocks, Perry Thompson sits down with his cousin and co-owner, Weston Hutchings, to tell the remarkable story of Hat Creek Construction: from survival mode during the 2008 recession to becoming a regional powerhouse in construction and materials. 

Weston shares his journey from working at Granite Construction and Sierra Nevada Construction in Reno to joining Hat Creek in February 2009 with one goal: to raise his family where he grew up. The conversation explores the company's near-death experiences, including their worst year financially ($22M revenue in 2007 that left them near bankruptcy), their pivot into the paving business (losing $100K in three days on their first job), and the aggressive risks they took to survive and eventually thrive. Weston reveals how acquiring Jim Miller's asphalt plant, building the Susanville operation, and establishing plants in Lookout and Eagle Peak helped transform Hat Creek into a $100M operation. 

But the heart of this episode is about more than business success. Weston and Perry discuss the partnership model that keeps them grounded: how having a trusted co-owner makes the lonely weight of leadership manageable. They explore the role supportive spouses played in enabling them to pursue big dreams, the importance of core values in hiring and culture, and why attracting and retaining elite operational talent has been their greatest competitive advantage. This is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it means to build something meaningful in the North State. Learn more at northstaterocks.com. 

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