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Nick Devengenzo: Solving Problems the Right Way

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

For Nick Devengenzo, drainage work isn’t just about where the water goes—it’s about making sure it never becomes a problem in the first place. Every project is rooted in one goal: doing the work correctly so it lasts.

Nick’s introduction to the drainage industry came early in life through his family’s business, Devengenzo & Company, which his father, Bob, started in 1970. Growing up, he worked alongside his dad and brother, taking on whatever tasks he could handle at the time. “As a kid, I’d dig ditches, run a wheelbarrow, move dirt and rocks…whatever needed to be done,” he recalls. Over the years, those small responsibilities grew into more demanding roles, from trench digging to hands-on carpentry work. After finishing school, Nick joined the business full time, building on the foundation he had been developing since childhood.

Nick’s career took a defining turn a few years ago when he officially took over the family business following his father’s passing. Having worked as partners for more than a decade, the transition felt like a natural continuation of what they had built together. “It wasn’t really a new start—it was just continuing what we’d already been doing,” he offers.

As president of Devengenzo & Company, Nick focuses on delivering long-term solutions for serious problems like water intrusion, foundation damage and poor soil drainage. “I get a lot of satisfaction when someone has a really bad situation and we come in and fix it,” he says. “When we do our job right, everything works the way it’s supposed to and lasts.”

Because drainage systems are largely underground, many homeowners don’t realize how critical they are until something goes wrong. That’s why Nick makes it a point to educate every customer, often walking them through the issue step-by-step and physically showing them what’s happening beneath the surface. “People don’t always understand what’s going on underground,” he says. “However, once you show them how water moves and why their system failed, it starts to make sense.”

A lifelong resident of the Bay Area, Nick grew up in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek and now lives in Concord with his wife, Andrea. Outside of work, he enjoys working on a long-term passion project: restoring a 1970 Chevelle that once belonged to his cousin. While he admits that he works a lot, he credits his dedication to genuinely enjoying what he does. “I just like solving problems and helping people fix things,” he says.

For Nick, quality isn’t negotiable—it’s a standard that carries through every part of the job, seen or unseen. “If we’re putting our name on a project, I’m going to stand behind it,” he says. “Even if it’s something that no one will ever see, I want it to be perfect.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Do you have a favorite sports team?
A: It used to be the Raiders, but since they left Oakland, I’d say the Golden State Warriors. I like rooting for a local team.

Q: Do you prefer being somewhere cold or somewhere hot?
A: Somewhere hot.

Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: The past. There are so many interesting eras I’d want to experience.

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Black coffee. I like a good medium roast.

Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: Christmas. Growing up, it was always a big family event with a lot of people.