IT STARTS WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION.

History
Values
Vision
Leadership
Client Testimonials

OUR HISTORY

Established in 1977, AGI General Contracting is a leading commercial general contractor specializing in healthcare, grocery, and retail markets throughout the West. Offering full project management capabilities with a customer-centric focus, AGI provides a full range of services including pre-construction, construction, and design/build.

Founded by Art Gautreau — a carpenter by trade and entrepreneur at heart — AGI remains a family-owned and operated general contracting business with a forward-looking vision. Our company is built on a solid foundation of integrity, hard work, and delivering on our promises. Over the past 40-plus years, we have continued to expand by fostering trusted, long-standing partnerships with recognized healthcare, grocery, and retail brands. We’ve never lost sight of where we came from, who we are, and the values the Art Gautreau name stands for.

Art Gautreau — Laying the Foundation
Building the Family Business
Gaining a Son, Losing a Father
Entering the Computer Age
On the Move
Putting Project Management to the Test
Managing Financial Performance
Xcelling with Project Management
Breaking Ground in Grocery
Evolving the Brand
The Next Level in Grocery
Entering the Retail Market
Diversifying and Expanding
Beyond Southern California
Hello, Healthcare
Going Big in Grocery
Investing in Next-Gen Technology
Moving Forward with Medical

1977-1978

Art Gautreau — Laying the Foundation

1977-1981

Building the Family Business

1985-1986

Gaining a Son, Losing a Father

1996

Entering the Computer Age

1999-2000

On the Move

2000

Putting Project Management to the Test

2001

Managing Financial Performance

2002

Xcelling with Project Management

2002-2004

Breaking Ground in Grocery

2005

Evolving the Brand

2005-2006

The Next Level in Grocery

2006-2008

Entering the Retail Market

2007-2008

Diversifying and Expanding

2008-2013

Beyond Southern California

2012

Hello, Healthcare

2014

Going Big in Grocery

2016

Investing in Next-Gen Technology

2016-2018

Moving Forward with Medical

OUR VALUES

INTEGRITY

Integrity is our foundation and carries through to every aspect of our company and how we operate — with character, honesty, transparency, and reliability that builds our soundness and strength. We live by this every day.

FAMILY

Founded on family values, we treat our employees, clients and business partners like family, showing them the respect, support and care they deserve.

SAFETY

Safety is paramount to our operations each and every day. Our priority is to make sure our employees and business partners stay protected on the job and go home safe to their families every day.

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC

Our clients are at the center of all we do. We take the time and make the effort to understand our clients and their needs so that we can meet them.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

It is all about the relationship. Whether the first project or the tenth, we always strive to exceed expectations.

GIVING BACK

We believe that a healthy company has an opportunity for healthy giving. We work to create a company culture and mindset of generosity, and strive to support our community in multiple ways.

OUR VISION

To be the leading commercial general contracting firm in the West specializing in healthcare, grocery, and retail.

AGI LEADERSHIP

Chris Gautreau

Chris joined AGI in 1985, when the company was owned and operated by his father Art Gautreau. Following his father’s passing, over the decade-plus Chris grew in his role within the company. During that time, he was instrumental in creating AGI’s forward-looking vision. Under his direction, AGI adopted its first computerized system, moved to its current headquarters, and grew to over 50 employees.

After assuming the role of President in 1999, Chris has continued to honor his father’s legacy of honesty, integrity, and putting customers first, while driving the company’s business development efforts. Leading by example, Chris coaches AGI’s management team to take ownership of their work, proactively resolve challenges for clients, and deliver on promises made. As part of his vision for success, Chris drove the company’s strategic decision to integrate leading-edge technology that enables AGI to effectively manage projects of all sizes and complexity. Under his leadership, AGI has evolved to become one of the West’s leading general contractors specializing in healthcare, grocery, and retail with a growing list of repeat clients representing a number of the most recognized names in their markets.

Prior to joining his brother Chris at the helm of their family-run business in 2001, Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s in business administration. He honed his business acumen holding key project management, business development and finance positions at Southern California Edison and Home Savings of America.

Leveraging this experience, Andrew joined AGI to collaborate with Chris on executing the company’s vision. Andrew played a key role in acquiring and integrating AGI’s ERP construction software platform that equips the company with the latest mobile technologies, analytics, and project management capabilities. He continues to advance this vision by making sure AGI has a solid infrastructure to support its growth, employs the right processes, assigns the best team for each project, and adheres to client budgets. Working closely with Chris, Andrew ensures that AGI continues to be a financially solid, thriving business with a clear path for growth.

Andrew Gautreau
Jeff Ayling

Jeff grew up around construction, following his father’s footsteps into the business. After graduating from college with a Bachelors in Business Management, Jeff went to work as an Estimator for a general contractor specializing in public school construction. Jeff joined the AGI team as an Estimator, and quickly developed a knack for negotiating and accurately estimating projects.

Jeff continues to focus on AGI’s future growth as the Director of Estimating. That includes attracting and retaining the industry’s best estimating team, and equipping them with the tools they need to do their jobs well. Jeff believes that it is important to look beyond the plans to visualize the entire project. This makes it possible to identify and address any potential issues early on to promote seamless project completion. Our clients have come to trust Jeff and his estimating team for accurate, realistic budgets and schedules that set the project up for success from day one.

Jeff joined AGI in 2014 as a Project Manager with 16 years of construction work under his belt. Along with his previous experience as a Project Manager for commercial projects and a Field Manager for residential construction, Jeff holds an MBA from the University of Maryland University College and served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. This experience taught him how to work with and manage diverse teams of people to achieve a common goal – a skill that serves him well as part of AGI’s leadership.

Jeff sees himself not just as a Director of Project Management, but as a mentor and coach to our exceptional project management team. AGI’s clients have also come to rely on Jeff as an honest, transparent partner who values relationships built on trust and mutual respect. Jeff embodies AGI’s team approach, collaborating with other department Directors and clients to develop creative solutions that keep the project moving forward.

Jeff Olsen
Chris Nocciolo

Chris joined AGI in 2004 with a background in commercial finish carpentry. Since then, Chris has welcomed every opportunity to take on more responsibility and grow with the company. Demonstrating a dedication to customer service and attention to detail, Chris moved up the ranks from Assistant Superintendent to General Superintendent to the leadership position he holds today as Director of Field Operations.

In that role, Chris oversees the entire field and safety department, working closely with the General Superintendents as well as the Directors of Project Management and Estimating to plan for and support the successful on-time completion of each project. He believes in doing whatever it takes to finish the job and exceed client expectations, while living AGI’s core values of family and integrity every day. AGI clients know they can always count on Chris to go above and beyond to deliver.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

DaVita

“Many times what we hear are complaints and rarely does one take the time to truly offer words of encouragement for the things that go well. The people who were hired to work on this project were the most professional people I have encountered in this industry.  They all held each other to a very high standard and as a result we have a beautiful building.”

Sprouts

“We have nothing but positive feedback on AGI. They have been very professional with myself and the store staff. I would say because of AGI this project has been very smooth and AGI’s commitment to follow through with our timeline schedule has been outstanding.”

Pavilions

“We had zero complaints during the Pavilions remodel. The residences on the hillside, surrounding the parking lot, are very quick to call the property manager at anytime. AGI did an awesome job during the months of construction! The store looks awesome and was very well received by customers today.”

MPCCA

“I just wanted to reach out and thank you for the solid team at Torrance. They have been great out there. Although you guys are probably used to the OT on holidays, it still means much to me that your guys are willing to do this without complaint.”

Friends Church

“Thank you for all your guidance and patience during the building of the church pavilion.  We could not have done it without you.  It’s a beautiful space we are already enjoying! It has been a joy getting to know you and all the group over the last few months.  We are thankful for your professionalism and help!”

City of Escondido

“It was a pleasure working with the AGI contractors. The building department and counter staff for the City of Escondido takes a lot of pride in what we do, for the public and contractors such as yourself. I personally look forward to working with AGI contractors in the future.”