Paul Krebs is a revered chief within the building and improvement business. He’s the President and Proprietor of Paul Krebs Development, an organization he based in 1967.
With over 50 years of expertise, Paul has constructed houses, house complexes, cell residence parks, and enormous infrastructure tasks throughout Georgia and the Southeast.
Paul’s ardour for constructing began early. At simply 13, he started working along with his father at Krebs Engineering in Birmingham, Alabama. This taught him the significance of laborious work and hands-on studying. He later attended Riverside Army Academy and Auburn College, the place he additionally ran monitor.
Via the years, Paul earned licences in Utility Engineering, Utility Administration, and Water Remedy. These expertise helped him tackle complicated tasks, together with main utility techniques and residential developments.
However Paul isn’t only a builder—he’s a neighborhood chief. He donated land for Krebs Park in Hinesville, Georgia, which options basketball and tennis courts, pickleball, a skate park, and strolling trails. He has additionally supported native animal rescues and hospitals.
Paul is thought for his direct, sensible strategy. He believes in doing issues proper and dealing laborious every single day.
“You possibly can’t pretend expertise,” he usually says. “You must know your work and care about your neighborhood.”
Outdoors of enterprise, Paul stays energetic with tennis, windsurfing, biking, and health. His life displays his values—laborious work, giving again, and constructing locations the place folks can stay nicely. He stays a trusted voice in building and a champion for sturdy communities.
In Dialog with Paul Krebs: A Lifetime of Constructing Communities
On this unique interview, we sit down with Paul Krebs, President and Proprietor of Paul Krebs Development. With greater than 50 years of expertise, Paul shares the teachings, challenges, and values which have formed his lengthy and revered profession in building and neighborhood improvement.
Q: Paul, let’s begin from the start. How did your profession in building start?
It actually began once I was a boy. I used to be simply 13 years outdated once I started working with my father at Krebs Engineering in Birmingham, Alabama. He believed in placing me to work early. I discovered each a part of the enterprise—digging trenches, surveying land, you title it. It wasn’t glamorous, nevertheless it taught me quite a bit. That have gave me a powerful basis in each the technical aspect and the worth of laborious work.
Q: Did you at all times know you wished to run your individual firm in the future?
I believe deep down, sure. Working alongside my father confirmed me the influence you possibly can have by means of constructing. After attending Riverside Army Academy, I went on to Auburn College, the place I additionally ran monitor. Sports activities taught me self-discipline and perseverance—qualities which are very important in enterprise too. By 1967, I felt prepared to begin my very own firm. I wasn’t ready for the “excellent time.” I simply went for it.
Q: How did Paul Krebs Development develop from these early days?
It was gradual. At first, I took on smaller tasks—fundamental building work, website prep, utility jobs. However due to my background and licences in Utility Engineering, Utility Administration, and Water Remedy, I used to be capable of tackle larger and extra technical tasks pretty early on.
I’ve at all times believed in studying each a part of the method. That’s what allowed me to broaden into bigger developments—cell residence parks, house complexes, whole housing communities. Over time, we constructed a powerful status for dealing with each residential and infrastructure tasks.
Q: Your work has additionally had a big effect on the neighborhood, particularly in Hinesville. Are you able to inform us extra about that?
Group has at all times been essential to me. I donated land for what’s now Krebs Park in Hinesville, Georgia. That was a undertaking near my coronary heart. The park has basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball, a skate park, a canine park, and strolling trails. It’s a spot the place folks can come collectively, train, and luxuriate in life.
I’ve additionally donated land for a pet rescue and supported Mayo Hospital. Giving again is simply one thing I imagine in. Whenever you’ve had success, it is best to use it to make your neighborhood higher.
Q: What do you assume has been the important thing to your lengthy profession in building?
Two issues: laborious work and honesty. You possibly can’t pretend expertise on this enterprise. I’ve at all times believed in exhibiting up every single day and doing the job proper. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small restore or a significant improvement—you could take satisfaction in your work.
Additionally, realizing your craft is crucial. I’ve held my licences for many years, and that technical data helps me keep away from errors that others may miss. You possibly can’t depend on shortcuts if you would like your work to final.
Q: You’ve additionally been very energetic personally. How has that formed your strategy to enterprise?
I’ve at all times been drawn to bodily exercise. I performed semi-pro rugby with the Birmingham All Blacks, and I nonetheless get pleasure from tennis, windsurfing, bicycling, and figuring out. Staying energetic retains my thoughts sharp and helps me deal with stress.
Sports activities additionally taught me teamwork and resilience—each are essential in building, the place you usually face sudden issues. Whether or not on the job website or on the tennis courtroom, you study that you would be able to’t stop when issues get laborious.
Q: What recommendation would you supply to younger folks considering building or improvement?
Begin by studying every part you possibly can. Don’t be afraid to get your arms soiled. It is advisable to perceive the fundamentals earlier than you possibly can lead others. And assume long-term. Development isn’t simply in regards to the constructing—it’s in regards to the individuals who will stay or work there. If you happen to concentrate on high quality and neighborhood, success tends to comply with.
Q: In any case these years, what retains you motivated?
It’s easy—I prefer to construct issues. I like to resolve issues. And I get pleasure from seeing the outcomes of laborious work. Once I stroll by means of a neighbourhood or a park that I helped create, I really feel proud realizing it’s making life higher for others. That’s what retains me going.
