They say what we do for a living defines us. After all, we spend at least one third of our adult lives – or 90,000 hours on average – at work. So, it would naturally follow that to live your best life, you need to find a career that not only pays the bills, but fulfills you and gives you a sense of purpose. For Rory Hall, that sense of satisfaction and fulfillment has always come from putting in an honest day’s hard work.

Rory Hall was born and raised in Utah. A third generation excavator, he started learning the trade early – when he was just 8 years old – by spending his weekends working with his father, Billy Hall, at the family business, Hall Excavating. When Rory turned 12 he started working full time for his dad during the summers. His passion for the work motivated him to graduate high school a year early and go to work at the family business.

“I guess you can say that running yellow iron is in my blood,” Rory says with a smile. “There’s nothing prettier than watching a dozer work; to breathe in the fresh air and create something I can look back at and feel proud of. I found my place following in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, in the seat of a grader.”

In 2005, Hall Excavating was acquired by Kilgore Companies. Rory ran Kilgore’s excavating and grading division and spearheaded the company’s Utah County Division and Aggregate Quarry. At the same time, he and his father founded Grade Tech Services. When his contract with Kilgore expired, Rory poured his heart and soul into Grade Tech, building it into a highly reputable and successful civil contractor to the power industry. Grade Tech is known for its efficiency and ability to work in complex situations. The company is highly mobile – maintaining its own airplane to travel to and from jobs – and has a reputation for being on the leading edge of technology in its field.

In addition to the satisfaction he gets from the freedom of being out in the field performing excavating and grading services for the company’s electrical utility clients, he is also proud of the advantages Grade Tech provides for the 20+ men and women the company employs, and the opportunity it offers to those looking to build lifelong, sustaining careers.

With such a passion for his craft, Rory finds it difficult to understand why more people don’t want to learn a skilled trade. “It really baffles me why today’s young men and women – and their parents – can’t see the lure and value of a career in the skilled trades,” Rory laments. “There are lots of careers and opportunities available in the trades – good jobs where you can make just as much money – and often, more money – than you can in an office position. The best part is that you get to be outside, not sitting behind a desk all day!”

With the current state of the economy due the global COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, essential employees are critical to keeping our country running. Many of these essential jobs are in the trades. Rory believes that our country is now realizing what he has believed all along – tradesmen are the foundation of our nation. “While the office workers with four-year degrees are being laid off, the tradesmen are on the job, keeping America running,” he explains. “Even during the toughest of times, the trades are still working. The construction workers, gas station clerks, grocers, manufacturers, truck drivers and other ‘blue collar’ workers are the essential employees to our economy and our lives.”

Rory is passionate about his job and the trades, and he believes many others can find that same joy and success in a “blue collar” job. “I am not knocking college, but it isn’t for everyone,” Rory explains. “And if sitting behind a desk or a computer doesn’t ignite a passion in you, maybe you should consider learning a trade. There’s a world of opportunity out here for those who are willing to give it a try.”

Rory Hall considers himself blessed to make a living doing a job he loves and to be able to provide a living for other families as well. As such, he believes in “sharing the wealth” by giving back to his local community. Recently, he lent his time, talent and equipment to a local not-for-profit BMX organization to help build and maintain the dirt racing track for kids. It came as no surprise to those who know him that Rory chose to spend some his free time away from work doing the same thing he does at work – working hard and moving dirt. After all, when determination and dirt are in your blood, they run deep and never stop flowing!

There’s a world of opportunity out there for those who are willing to give it a try. Apply now if you are!