“It was a wonderful night to celebrate our 7th annual Forty under 40 class,” said Michael O’Rourke, publisher of Lehigh Valley Business. “This year's class was made up of a diverse group of business professionals from all over the Greater Lehigh Valley. These folks are making an impact on the business community and making this region a great place to work and live.”

This was the largest ever class of nominations for the awards, with more than 300 people attended the event.

In what began in 1973 and continues today, R.L. Reppert is a commercial wall and ceiling contractor. Its main focus of work is large scale hospitals, hotels and schools. The company specializes in the metal framing (both structural and non-structural), panelized wall systems, suspended drywall grid, thermal and sound insulation, rigid insulation, drywall, cement board, drywall finishing, acoustical wall panels, FRP, specialty wall systems, lead lined drywall, acoustical ceiling grid and tile, wood specialty ceilings, metal specialty ceilings, metal composite wall panels, rough and finish carpentry, doors frames and hardware, EIFS and much more.

R. L. Reppert was started by Rick Reppert Sr., in 1973 with only four part-time employees. At a young age, he was introduced to drywall while helping his father. He was impressed at how quickly a wall can be constructed to make two rooms from one large room. Years later he replied to a help wanted ad seeking a trainee to learn drywall hanging. He got the job and has been in the industry now for more than 45 years.

“There has been tremendous growth within our company,” said President Ric Reppert. “Starting with only a few part-time employees to now employing 80 employees on a regular basis due to our continued increasing work. The industry has been flourishing lately with all of the work in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.”