PRK are the initials of Philip Royal Kingsley, founder of PRK Drilling &
Blasting, Inc. Mr. Kingsley owned and operated drilling and blasting
companies for over 25 years. His work extended from Maine to Oklahoma to
North Carolina. He has owned quarry as well as construction operations.
PRK Drilling & Blasting, Inc. was founded in 1989 in Cambridge, NY.
Operations included drilling and blasting for construction site
development, heavy and highway, quarry and mines, and rock bolts and
anchors. Work extended throughout New York, New England and of course,
Virginia.In the spring of
1997 PRK was awarded a job for JM Turner at Hollins College in Roanoke,
Virginia. Phil Kingsley brought supervisor Bob Stimpson and blaster
Frank Klebieko along with a small crew. Word spread quickly about their
top quality team and the work offers poured in.
Frank Klebieko remained in
Southern Virginia to manage the new blasting operations. Bob Stimpson
returned to upstate New York. Phil directed the entire operation,
traveling between states. Within months it was decided that PRK needed a
permanent branch in Virginia. Frank was offered and accepted the
opportunity to run this new division. About a year later Frank's wife
Nicole, Safety Officer and daughter of Phil Kingsley, joined him.
Tragedy hit in July of 1999. Phil
Kingsley, along with wife Barbra (Treasurer of PRK) were leaving one of
PRK's job sites in Richmond, VA when a tractor trailer slammed into
their vehicle, leaving Phil paralyzed. The first thing Phil told Nicole
when he saw her was "We've still got a business to run." The family and
crew of PRK pulled together, made some adjustments, and continued with
business. Phil's determination and positive outlook kept things together
and moving forward. The cooperation and dedication of the company was
remarkable and something to be very proud of.
In 2004, headquarters for PRK was
moved from the NY to the VA office. The decision was made to close the
NY office and focus efforts on the growing opportunities in Virginia.
Frank Klebieko remained in Virginia as the Vice President and Bob
Stimpson joined the Virginia office as the General Manager.
In late 2004, the torch was
officially passed when Nicole Klebieko purchased the
company from Phil Kingsley. Such a transition always brings change, but
the determination and vision for PRK has never faltered.