In an industry often defined by tight margins, shifting markets and constant risk, longevity is the ultimate marker of success. Few companies can claim nearly nine decades of continuous operation, fewer still while remaining family-owned and relevant. Liddle Brothers Contractors Inc., based in Nashville, stands as one of those rare exceptions. Founded in 1939, the specialty contracting firm has grown steadily through wars, recessions, and booms, evolving alongside the construction industry while staying rooted in craftsmanship and relationships.  

At the helm today is Mike Taylor, CEO and third-generation leader of the company. Taylor’s path into the trades was unconventional, but his impact has been anything but accidental. Under his leadership, Liddle Brothers has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, expanded its niche expertise, and earned industry-wide respect—culminating in Taylor’s recent recognition with the AWCI Pinnacle Award, one of the highest honors in the wall and ceiling industry.

Photos: Liddle Brothers Contractors Inc.

A Family Business Built on Craft and Character

Taylor’s introduction to the trades came not through childhood summers on job sites but through marriage. When he married his wife, Darlene, he joined the Liddle family business, bringing with him a background in business and sales rather than field work. That pairing of skill sets proved pivotal. Guided closely by his father-in-law, Leonard D. Liddle Sr., Taylor learned not only the technical ins and outs of plastering, stucco, and EIFS but also the deeper values that had sustained the company for generations. 

Liddle Sr., who passed away in March 2025 at the age of 94, embodied those values. A Marine Corps veteran who survived the brutal Battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, Leonard carried discipline, resilience, and quiet strength into civilian life. After his military service, he helped build Liddle Brothers Contractors into a respected name while also finding peace in farming and family life. His legacy—of hard work, faith, and long-term relationships—remains deeply woven into the company’s culture. 

Photos: Liddle Brothers Contractors Inc.

Today, Liddle Brothers employs approximately 140 people and operates as a commercial and high-end residential specialty contractor. Its portfolio includes exterior and interior plaster systems, historical traditional plaster, soundproofing and acoustical plaster, exterior stucco and EIFS, Nichiha cement panel systems, thin-set stone, and exterior coatings for existing EIFS and stucco buildings. Many of these services occupy niche markets that require a high level of expertise—an area where the company has intentionally differentiated itself. 

Navigating Growth in a Strong Construction Market

Based in Nashville, Liddle Brothers benefits from one of the strongest construction climates in the country. Middle Tennessee has seen sustained commercial and residential growth, bolstered by business-friendly state leadership and an influx of new companies. While the firm’s core market remains in Nashville and the surrounding region, its reach extends into southern Kentucky, northern Alabama, and across Tennessee, with occasional projects in Mississippi. 

According to Taylor, business continues to be strong, with a healthy backlog that positions the company to finish the year on solid footing. That stability, however, doesn’t come without challenges. For Taylor, the most interesting aspect of the job is also the most unpredictable—no two days are ever the same. Managing relationships with a wide range of people, from architects and general contractors to owners and employees, is both energizing and demanding. 

The hardest part of the job, he says plainly, is mitigating risk. That awareness was sharpened during the Great Recession, when Liddle Brothers reacted quickly by adjusting workforce levels and expenses. Taylor believes that willingness to act decisively will serve the company well when the next downturn inevitably arrives. 

What sets Liddle Brothers apart from competitors, Taylor notes, is not just technical capability, but reliability, stability, and workmanship. The company’s long-term relationships—with customers, general contractors, and suppliers—are viewed not as transactional, but as foundational. That philosophy extends to its partnerships with manufacturers such as Dryvit/Tremco, Sto, USG, National Gypsum, PermaTone, and BASWAphon, as well as distributors like GMS, FBM, and Continental Stucco Supply, a fellow family-owned business. 

Photos: Liddle Brothers Contractors Inc.

Landmark Projects and Industry Recognition

Among the most exciting projects on Liddle Brothers’ horizon is its work with In-N-Out Burger, which is entering the Tennessee market with multiple restaurants and a major regional corporate office complex. The company has been selected to work on the flagship restaurant and the corporate office project; an opportunity Taylor views as a significant milestone. 

The owner of the project is In-N-Out Burger heiress Lynsi Snyder, with Bell Construction Co. serving as the general contractor. Bell Construction has been a trusted partner of Liddle Brothers for more than 50 years, underscoring the value of long-standing professional relationships. Liddle Brothers’ scope of work includes exterior stucco and interior Venetian plaster, utilizing products from Parex on the exterior and PermaTone Venetian plaster in the corporate offices. 

Taylor is particularly enthusiastic about the evolution of Venetian plaster and soundproofing systems, noting that modern offerings provide both aesthetic beauty and functional performance. These products allow the company to offer clients refined finishes, while addressing acoustical challenges—an increasingly important consideration in contemporary design. 

Taylor’s leadership and commitment to the industry were formally recognized this year when he received the AWCI Pinnacle Award. The honor is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry and to the trade as a whole. Colleagues and friends from across North America submitted video tributes highlighting Taylor’s generosity, mentorship, and willingness to share knowledge. 

His wife Darlene, who also helps manage the business, summed it up best: Taylor genuinely enjoys talking with others in the industry—about challenges, innovations, and how the business continues to evolve. He is especially passionate about mentoring the next generation of workers, ensuring the trades remain strong and respected. 

Beyond the Jobsite

Outside of work, Taylor’s interests reflect a balance of curiosity and simplicity. He dreams of touring Hong Kong, takes pride in making what he claims are unbeatable deviled eggs, and has deep knowledge of Japanese maple trees and Purple Martin birds. He prefers the Rolling Stones over the Beatles, looks forward most to spring as a season of new beginnings, and values time spent fishing, hunting, golfing, traveling, and working in his yard. 

When asked who he would most like to have dinner with, dead or alive, Taylor chooses Yogi Berra—a fitting answer for a leader who appreciates wisdom, humility, and the occasional paradox. 

Ultimately, Taylor sees Liddle Brothers’ greatest achievement not in awards or revenue, but in longevity. The company’s 86-year history is a testament to the generations before him and their commitment to honest work and enduring relationships. His long-term goal is simple but profound: to continue building on that family legacy, deliver quality workmanship, and strengthen the bonds with customers and communities that have sustained the business for nearly a century. 

In an industry that often chases what’s next, Liddle Brothers Contractors Inc. stands as proof that doing things the right way—consistently, skillfully, and with integrity—never goes out of style.