Numerous things have changed since Norm Dianda inked Q&D’s first building contract for a kitchen remodel in 1964. Back then, the “contract” actually consisted of a few napkin sketches and a handshake over a pasta dinner.
Although the truck Norm borrowed from his dad and the original home office in Norm’s garage are gone, the foundation of Q&D remains the same today.
“We treat every client as our only client and always deliver on our promise of service, quality and integrity,” says Norm. Indeed, Q&D has grown in response to the needs of our clients. “We didn’t start Q&D with the intention of building a large company.” says Norm. “We grew as a result of responding to our clients’ requests to bring our particular brand of schedule-focused, professional construction management to other aspects of their projects.”
In 1983, Q&D added the Heavy/Civil Group to work together with developers and public agencies to provide earthmoving, pad and utility construction. “When you are opening a new business, it’s important to have the road to get customers in there completed on time for the grand opening,” says VP-Heavy / Civil Jeff Bean. “Why put that in the hands of someone who doesn’t understand your needs or feel as strongly about your opening day plans as you do? That’s why we started Heavy / Civil, to offer our clients the choice of additional means to control cost and schedule.”
In 1999, Q&D created a specialized team within the Heavy/Civil Group to focus on concrete structures for both building foundations and roadwork. “When we built the pad infrastructure and many of the shell buildings at the Summit Sierra Mall, that was a great example of the partnership among our internal groups and the skills of our specialized teams for concrete and paving,” says Q&D’s president Lance Semenko. “Our client, Bayer Properties, relied on us to be responsive as they completed lease deals with potential tenants. It’s hard to judge when negotiations would be complete; hard to schedule around that kind of thing. So having a team of both heavy/civil and commercial building professionals ready to support them and focused on their needs was critical to multiple grand openings.”
In 2008, Q&D began the project that would launch the Aviation Group. “Reno-Tahoe International Airport was our first big partnership in aviation,” says Duane Boreham, VP – Aviation Group. “Today it has a modern security checkpoint, efficient and fast baggage sortation, screening, and claim areas, a thriving expanded retail and concessions space, and updated finishes throughout. A big part of our success working closely with the Airport Authority was the time we spent as a team during preconstruction, using the Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) delivery method to plan and put in place over $70,000,000 worth of work without impacting a single person’s itinerary. We put that expertise and specialized understanding of the client’s goals in practice every day now, at hundreds of airports around the U.S.”
In 2014, Q&D celebrated our 50th anniversary, stronger than ever. “At Q&D we work with you to reach your goals and fulfill your needs,” says Norm, “knowing that the purpose of construction isn’t to build a road, a house or a building. It is for you to build a business, a lifestyle, a home or to improve a place for the public good.” Also in 2014, Norm retired from Q&D to enjoy more personal time with his family and friends.
In 2015, Q&D added the Specialty Services department to provide demolition, sawing, interior excavation, saw and seal, grooving and grinding, and concrete rehabilitation service directly to clients and as a subcontractor to other general contractors.
In 2017, Q&D started their Energy Group, with a focus on providing excellent service to clients on pipelines and energy generation facilities.
In February of 2018, Lance Semenko, Jeff Bean, Duane Boreham, Toby Basta and Kevin Linderman joined Chris and Mike Dianda as owners of Q&D Construction.
“It’s imperative that Q&D continues to provide the service, quality and integrity that our clients expect. Our company’s reputation has always been staked on leaders capable of ensuring our success nationwide. In order to accomplish that, the next generation of ownership needed to come from within the company,” said Chris Dianda, CEO & Vice Chairman of Q&D Construction. “Not only are these guys highly-skilled long-term team members and Nevada residents, they embody the values and principles that are core to Q&D.”
With over 100 collective years in the industry, the ownership team brings a diverse collection of skills and experience to the helm of Q&D Construction. University of Nevada graduate Lance Semenko will fill the role of company president while Wolf Pack alumnus Jeff Bean heads Q&D’s Heavy/Civil Group. Yerington native Duane Boreham manages Q&D’s Aviation Group and rounding out the team is Kevin Linderman, who oversees the operations and management of Q&D’s major assets and equipment.
Key to this transition is the continuance of Q&D’s long-standing stewardship of the community. Throughout its history, Q&D has partnered with local charities including the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, the Nevada Women’s Fund, the Veterans Guest House, the Maison T Ortiz Youth Outdoor Skills Camp, the University of Nevada Foundation and the Reno Rodeo Foundation, among others.
Q&D Construction has helped build many of the structures, streets, highways, complexes and parks that thousands of Northern Nevadans and their families use on a daily basis, including the Moana Lane Expansion, the Mayberry Drive Reconstruction, the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center, the Outlets at Legends, Golden Eagle Regional Park, Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, the E.L Wiegand Fitness Center, Virginia Street Bridge and the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum.
Q&D’s clients include Nevada Department of Transportation, City of Reno, City of Sparks, Tesla, Apple, RTC Washoe, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Southwest Airlines, University of Nevada, Reno, Scheels, Carson Tahoe Health, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, United Airlines, Cashman Equipment, Washoe County School District, Nevada Energy, Southwest Gas, City of Elko, Eldorado Resorts, Jacobs Entertainment, Reno Land and Rancharrah.
