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Nick Thompson: A Family-Built Standard

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

For Nick Thompson, construction is about more than building things—it’s a reflection of his legacy. Growing up in a family of builders, he learned that every project carries a responsibility to the craft, the client and the name behind the work.

Nick first got involved in construction at a young age, spending time on jobsites with his father. “My dad owned a construction company, so I basically grew up in the industry,” he affirms. “I liked learning how things go together and seeing what it takes to build something the right way.”

After high school, Nick worked in the field before serving in the military and later earning a degree in accounting. Still, he found himself drawn to the building trade, and in 2015, he returned to the family business full-time. “I’d been away for a while and saw how much the industry was still behind the times,” he says. “When I came back, it just made sense to step in, help modernize things and take on more responsibility.”

Nick naturally grew into a leadership role—managing projects, working with clients and handling things behind the scenes. Over time, that progression led to his current position as CEO of Thompson Construction, Inc. Today, he says his main priority is guiding projects from start to finish. “My role is to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. That starts with setting clear expectations and staying involved every step of the way.”

Nick says his favorite part of his job is seeing a project come full circle. “Taking an idea and turning it into a finished space that the client can be excited about is very rewarding. We also build real relationships along the way—it’s not just a one-time transaction.”

Nick also appreciates the challenges that come with construction work. “You can’t fake it in this industry,” he says. “It takes experience, attention to detail and a commitment to doing things right. Every project is different and there’s always a new problem to solve.”

Nick was born and raised in Healdsburg and now lives in nearby Windsor, where he values the strong sense of community. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, and their two sons, Jack and Luke. “I also like playing golf,” he adds. “It’s a great way to get outdoors and step away from the day-to-day demands of running a business.”

At the core of Nick’s philosophy is a simple principle: do it right the first time. “If you try to cut corners, it catches up to you,” he offers. “Even if it takes more time or effort, it’s worth slowing down and doing it right because you’ll always end up with a better result.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s the first thing you’d do if you could retire tomorrow?
A: Probably golf more. Honestly, I’m not someone who can sit around and do nothing, so I’d also stay involved in some kind of project.

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee.

Q: Would you rather be somewhere cold or somewhere hot?
A: Somewhere hot. Being in cold weather takes a lot more effort.

Q: If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: I’d go to the past and buy a winning lottery ticket. Even going back a couple of years and setting myself up better would be nice.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: An early bird. I feel like I perform better in the morning. That’s usually when I handle bids and emails since there are fewer distractions.