About Us

Business History

I was born in 1954. The following "history" is what I recall from stories and recollections told to me over the last 50 years. I was a part of it from the 70's working through high school on a land surveying crew and after I graduated from the University of Maine until the present. It is not all encompassing or detailed. I concentrate mostly on the business history of the company. Over the years many transformations, additions and subtractions were made in order to compete in the market as many companies do. There were many contributions made by many associates over the years and I learned a lot from them and thank them for their patience in teaching me. When we worked as a team and focused on a task, great things happened.

In 1955 Henry Aliberti and Donald LaRochelle, my father, left the engineering department of the City of Lewiston and began a private engineering consulting firm. Over time their commitment to quality design and service allowed them to expand their business and add another partner , Harry Hodson. They incorporated soon after as Aliberti, LaRochelle and Hodson, Inc. They specialized in commercial design, especilly shopping centers and supermarkets. As surburban growth continued through the 60's their expertise were sought out from all over the State of Maine and sometimes New Hampshire. Hannaford Brothers supermarkets became a major client of theirs and as they expanded supermarkets all over Maine in the 60's and 70's the company grew to handle the work.

During the mid 70's the design industry experienced a major contraction and many projects came to a halt or were put on hold. ALH suffered through a major contraction along with many other businesses. As the 80's approached, design work began to slowly rebuild and then take off. The booming real estate markets of the 80's boosted the design business to a new height. Management made changes preparing for the next 30 years of business. Owner Henry Aliberti retired in the 70's and Harry Hodson retired in the early 80's. Donald LaRochelle became the president and CEO of a successful expanding company with a bright future.

In the late 80's and early 90's the next major contraction came in the real estate market. Design work again suffered a major contraction. Buildings were stopped in mid-construction as they were no longer financed. Many associates left for other venues and in so doing, left a smaller core group to keep the company operating. The company changed its name to LaRochelle and Associates, Inc. and relocated from its Main Street location to a less expensive rental space on River Road in Lewiston. Work came in slowly and with much less commitment on the owner's part. Some of the core group needed to move on and left.

I became the owner and president of the company in the early 90's in order to begin a gradual transition for Donald LaRochelle into a less of a day to day management role. We hired more core people and re-assessed where we were going. Again we saw a opportunity and relocated the business to the Bates Mill Complex in Lewiston. We were the first and only professional office space built in the closed mill. Our office became a showcase for prospective tenants for design ideas.

But with few new paying clients and a weakened financial condition from the real estate bust of the early '90's the company expenses quickly exceeded revenues and L&A fell into bankruptcy. The company closed in 1997. All the remaining associates moved on to other endevours. I started LaRochelle Engineering Services and completed any left over projects from L&A. Through these projects I was able to make new relationships and continue designing for various clients. In 1999 I accepted employment at Alliance Construction, Inc. in the Design/Build division.

As the engineer of record for many design/build projects, I was able to learn first hand more about the construction management side of the industry. I expanded relationships with new clients in the office / hotel / restaurant businesses. While at Alliance I became proficient with use of Varco Pruden metal building design program. I also became a qualified Dunkin Donuts / Baskin Robbins building designer and remodeler. After 5 years, Alliance Construction, Inc. design/build's Errors and Omssions insurance increased to astronomical levels because of the gross revenues of Alliance were tied into the insurance quote. The Design/ Build service was deactivated and I was let go as an employee, but asked to remain as a independent engineering consultant. In January 2007, Alliance Construction was bought by an investor and a put under the control a new owner.

In April, 2007 LaRochelle Engineering Services became one of only two Qualified Dunkin Donuts Designers in Maine. Presently, Dunkin Donuts Corporate is encouraging their franchisees to plan a continuous stream of new builds and remodels of the existing restaurants. This has resulted in a increase in work for LaRochelle Engineering Services and a backlog of work into 2008.

As of October 25, 2007 I work exclusively from my home office in Auburn. Alliance intends to use LaRochelle Engineering Services as a consultant, but will no longer have an office in Scarborough. LaRochelle Engineering Services has established this web site to expand communication between our clients and team members.

© LaRochelle Engineering Services All rights reserved Last updated October 25, 2007