Executive Directors
Merle Sorenson – Chairman of the Board
Merle began his career in 1978 working for his older brother at Sorenson Construction, Inc. (SCI), a contractor specializing in underground telecommunications which was based in Vancouver, Washington. Merle eventually acquired a minority interest in SCI. In 1989 he moved to Seattle and founded Underground Specialties, Inc. (USI), a company that installed local area distribution and long haul communication networks throughout the Western US. While president and owner of USI, Merle was involved in all facets of building the business and managing over 120 employees with eventual annual revenues of over $30 million. In 1997 he sold the business to Arguss Communications, a publicly owned company. He remained the president of the USI division as well as serving on the board of directors of Arguss until September 1st, 2001, when his contract expired. He also invested in Fiber Flow LLC., a business that performed fiber optic placement using air pressure applications. That company was also later sold to Arguss Communications.In 2008 Merle was offered an opportunity to purchase a majority interest and serve as a Board Chairman at Robinson Brothers Construction, Inc. (RBC) He now works with many of the management personnel that he had previously worked with over the last 30 years. Merle is very committed to promoting and helping in the growth of RBC within the telecommunications and renewable wind energy sectors.
Craig Sorenson – President
Craig Sorenson has spent his entire life working in the construction industry. He began as a laborer with Sorenson Construction, Inc., a utilities contractor based in Vancouver, Washington that his father founded in 1977. From laborer to regional superintendent to President of Sorenson, Inc., Craig acquired both vital construction skills as well as critical business expertise. While President, Craig also founded Sorenson Leasing, LLC, an equipment rental business specializing in providing cable placing equipment to the telecommunications construction industry.After negotiating the sale of Sorenson Construction and Sorenson Leasing to Orius Corporation, Craig was promoted to Vice-President and General Manager responsible for ten operation centers in five western states and for revenue of 35 million dollars. Upon leaving Orius in 2003, he founded Northwest Construction Consultants. On May 1, 2006, Craig and long-time friend Mike Rakoz acquired Robinson Brothers Construction, Inc. He is currently the President of the corporation, responsible for executive leadership, finance, asset procurement, and corporate administration.
Mike Rakoz – Chief Operations Officer
Mike Rakoz began his career in 1988 with Sorenson Construction, Inc. In 1990, he took the opportunity to be involved with Seattle-based Underground Specialties, Inc. (USI), a start-up company that installed telecommunications infrastructure. Mike managed a General Construction and Maintenance contract for USI with Verizon for two years in the Washington area. Later while still with USI, Mike joined two other partners to form Fiber Flow, a cable placing contractor that was one of the first in the nation to utilize new technology to install cable by air driven method. Mike's work at USI and Fiber Flow was instrumental in increasing these companies' revenue to 50 million dollars.Both USI and Fiber Flow were sold to Arguss Communications in 2001. Arguss Communications was then acquired by Dycom in 2004. Mike became President of USI previous to the Dycom acquisition. As such, he reported directly to the COO of Dycom and was responsible for all operations relating to the subsidiary. In 2006 after 16 years with USI, he joined his good friend Craig Sorenson in acquiring Robinson Brothers Construction, Inc. Mike is currently the Chief Operations Officer with responsibilities for operational activities, project estimating, and business development.
Barry Primley – Vice-President of Operations
Barry Primley started in the telecommunications construction trade with Orton Utilities of Troutdale, Oregon in 1979. After gaining experience as a groundman and as a heavy equipment operator, Barry began working for Sorenson Construction, Inc. in 1989 where he moved into a management position. After Sorenson Construction, Inc. was acquired by Orius Corporation, Barry served as Vice-President of the Pacific Region, responsible for five states and revenue of 16 million dollars. Barry joined Underground Specialties, Inc. in 2005 and was instrumental in helping them acquire the Embarq and TDS Telecom master contracts, along with broadening USI's customer base. In July 2006, Barry became Vice-President of Operations at Robinson Brothers Construction, Inc. He is currently responsible for telecommunication operations in western Washington and Oregon.