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Feature September/October 2009 A Family Legacy Florida’s Molloy Interiors pushes ahead with several landmark projects after a difficult leadership transition By H.L. Hild
“This is the last thing we ever expected,” says Erin Molloy, who now finds herself at the helm of Molloy Interiors, Lake Worth, Fla., a company her husband, Kevin, started seven years ago. But at the age of 39, Kevin died in July after a 16-month battle with lung cancer. “When we initially found out about the cancer, I was six and a half months pregnant with our son,” Erin says. Molloy Interiors, which performs drywall framing, acoustical ceilings and stucco work, does projects in Martin, Palm Beach, Dade and Broward counties that range in size from $2,500 to $7.4 million. Five days after Kevin’s death, Erin received notice that Molloy Interiors had been ranked high in the drywall contractor lists by McGraw-Hill’sSoutheast Constructionmagazine. The rankings were based on the company’s total 2008 regional revenue of $7.8 million in the magazine’s four-state territory of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Erin will assume sole ownership of the firm once Kevin’s will clears probate court. After that, she says she want to continue with the company but will consider her ownership options. When Kevin died, Erin started a big push to contact all the company’s current and past clients, assuring them that the same staff was in place and continuing to do business. “Everyone’s been positive and understanding,” she says. “It’s truly amazing how many people are coming out of the woodwork with work and goodwill.” Michelle Anaya DePotter, executive director of the Florida East Coast Chapter-AGC, says Molloy Interiors became an AGC member at the suggestion of project manager Erik Himmel of Hedrick Bros. Construction, Palm Beach, Fla.
“I have worked with Molloy for about two and a half years,” Himmel says. “We’ve done two projects together—the largest was for $365,000. Molloy always has competitive prices, quality workmanship and stands behind its work.” Erin admits it’s a tough time to be in business and an especially tough time for an ownership transition. “We are taking any and every offer we get,” she says. “We need to stay informed, and we need to participate in the [economic] stimulus. We’ve had to cut profits, but a little bit of something is a lot better than a lot of nothing.” Erin was a part of Molloy Interiors from its inception. Kevin initially started doing drywall work when he was 18 through an apprenticeship and started Molloy Interiors with a $2,500 loan from Erin in 2002. Although she didn’t know that much about drywalling when Kevin started the business, Erin’s preparation for running Molloy Interiors began when she was doing event planning at the age of 17. She has a bachelor’s degree in art history from Florida State University, and her first job after graduating was as the marketing director of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach.
She also owned her own marketing firm, EM2, for a couple of years before focusing on Molloy Interiors when her husband was sick. She has a 6-year-old daughter, Parker, and nearly 2-year-old son, Kayman. All of Erin’s training has been on the job. “My previous experiences have certainly helped me at the company,” she says. “From bookkeeping and accounting to marketing, client management and networking, it’s about being available for your clients and how you treat them—their needs on their schedule.” Molloy Interiors is currently working with Epoch Properties, Winter Park, Fla., in finishing Las Ventanas, a $7.4-million, mixed-use residential and retail complex in Boyington Beach, Fla. “Kevin Molloy and Molloy Interiors Inc. worked with Epoch Properties to create an outstanding property that will serve our residents for many years,” says Bob Nevel, Epoch’s vice president of construction. “Their workmanship and attention to detail [is apparant] to everyone who visits Las Ventanas.” DePotter says the Florida East Coast Chapter-AGC “is thrilled to have Molloy Interiors as a member. While we were saddened to learn of the passing of Kevin, we are pleased that Erin will carry on,” DePotter adds. “Molloy Interiors has teamed up on some visible projects in our jurisdiction with many of our general contractors.” Erin says she wants to continue working with the company. “I find myself thoroughly enjoying it,” she says. “Kevin really wanted me to keep the company, and he thought I could handle it and do a good job. I think it would be a disappointment to his legacy if I couldn’t give it my all.”
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