THOUGHTFUL DESIGN, EXPERT CRAFTSMANSHIP,
AND A REFINED CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE
Our Story
A Legacy Built on Generations of Excellence
Construction isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. Oak Co. and Cattle was founded in 2026 by Richard O’Connell, but our roots in the building industry stretch back over 120 years.
Our family’s construction legacy began in 1904 when Thomas O’Connor founded O’Connor Construction in Boston, Massachusetts. What started as a local builder grew into one of the region’s largest and most respected construction firms. Thomas’s son, Daniel O’Connor, served as President through the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, guiding the company through decades of growth and industry evolution until his passing in 1964.
Richard O’Connell—Sheila O’Connor’s son and Thomas O’Connor’s great-grandson—carried that legacy forward. While earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University (Class of 1989), Richard worked as a Union Laborer for O’Connor Construction, learning the trade from the ground up before stepping into leadership.
National Leadership & Industry Innovation
In January 2000, Richard founded Primus as President and Majority Shareholder, building it into a nationally recognized construction powerhouse. Simultaneously, he served as Regional Vice President for Subzero Constructors—a West Coast-based specialty subcontractor—overseeing East Coast operations for 10 years while growing both organizations.
Under Richard’s leadership, Primus became a national and international expert in specialized construction, with projects spanning:
- Cold Storage Facilities (NH3, CO2, and Freon systems)
- Medical Sterilization Environments
- Thermal Envelope Solutions
- Design-Build Projects across the Continental U.S., Canada, Mexico, the UK, and South America
Licensed in 30 states, Primus achieved remarkable success:
- $657 Million in revenue (year ending 2024)
- Consistently ranked in ENR Top 400 Contractors (Engineering News-Record)
- Atlanta Business Chronicle Top General Contractors
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution Best Places to Work
- Atlanta Business Chronicle Best Places to Work
The firm’s commitment to excellence earned industry recognition including DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America) Best Project Awards across multiple categories and LEED Gold and Silver certifications for sustainable construction.
In January 2025, Richard sold his interest in Primus Builders and Primus Design Services through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), ensuring the company’s continued success while setting the stage for his next chapter.
Oak Co. and Cattle: The Next Generation
With over three decades of construction leadership, national project experience, and a family heritage spanning six generations, Richard O’Connell launched Oak Co. and Cattle in 2026.
We bring the same principles that built O’Connor Construction and Primus into industry leaders:
- Uncompromising Quality — From foundation to finish, every detail matters
- Innovative Solutions — Design-build expertise and specialized construction knowledge
- Proven Leadership — Decades of managing complex commercial and industrial projects
- Family Integrity — A name built on trust, hard work, and delivering on our word
What We Build
Oak Co. and Cattle specializes in commercial and industrial construction, offering full-service general contracting and construction management for:
- Industrial Facilities — Warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants
- Cold Storage & Refrigeration — Expertise in NH3, CO2, and Freon systems
- Medical & Sterilization Environments — Controlled, compliant construction
- Commercial Developments — Office buildings, retail, mixed-use projects
- Design-Build Services — Streamlined delivery from concept to completion
Why Choose Oak Co. and Cattle?
When you partner with us, you’re not just hiring a contractor—you’re engaging with over a century of construction expertise. Richard O’Connell has personally overseen hundreds of millions in construction value, led organizations recognized as best places to work, and built a reputation for delivering complex projects on time and on budget.
From Boston’s historic construction landscape to national and international markets, the O’Connor-O’Connell family has been shaping the built environment for 121 years. Oak Co. and Cattle continues that tradition with modern expertise, innovative approaches, and the same commitment to excellence that started in 1904.
Oak Co. and Cattle
Building on Legacy. Constructing the Future.
