William H. Goodrich

William H. Goodrich

CEO & Managing Partner, LeChase Construction Services, LLC

Years in current role: 14

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career?

I live by a few lessons in my work as well as my personal life. First, keep your priorities straight. That means family comes first, and you always strive to do the right thing. Next, be present. We live in a hurried world with an abundance of distractions, so when you engage in dialogue or make a personal connection, focus solely on that interaction … be in that moment. I also have a saying: “Understand the facts before you react.” There’s often more than one side, and maybe more than two, to a story. You must listen and fully comprehend the who, what and why before you react to a situation.

What’s been your biggest success?

My most significant success in life is being married to my wife Rhonda for almost 34 years and to be blessed with two amazing children, Courtney and Kyle. Courtney is an exceptional special education teacher locally and has been married to her husband Rob for almost two years. Kyle just returned to the area from the Carolinas, where he was working for 4 ½ years, and he is a member of the LeChase team, learning the industry. He is in a fantastic relationship with a bright young woman named Kara. Watching all of them grow together is priceless.

Who have been the biggest mentors in your career?

I have many mentors in my life, but the most significant start with my parents. Mom and Dad created a fantastic home environment where love, respect and giving back were common attributes and embedded in all of our actions. Professionally, I have been privileged to be in business with Wayne LeChase and Pierre Loncle for almost 36 years. I had the opportunity to observe their unique styles and they’ve given me guidance, coaching and the motivation to succeed. Their support has continued to help me learn and grow. They showed me the sky was the only limit.

What are your hopes for the Rochester community this year?

Rochester is a remarkable place full of talented, giving people. With COVID, the economy and other factors impacting us, it’s time to unite as a community. I hope Rochesterians will engage with economic development initiatives like ROC2025 and community-focused groups like the Chamber, GRE and RDDC. Also, it’s a critical time to help those in need and the agencies that support them. I’m chairing this year’s United Way campaign and I deeply believe in their ability to act as the community convener — connecting those in need with available resources. A united community is a strong community.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2021. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.