MITCHELL – Balloons, cookies and popcorn graced the offices of Palace Builders Inc. on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The people there not only celebrated the company's 45th anniversary or the retirement party of founders Larry Titze and Steve Otterby, but also that the company will continue to be run in good hands.
“We have left behind a company that will continue to exist and whose employees are ready to take over and continue to run it. “It would be terribly sad to just close the door,” Titze said.
Titze and Otterby founded Mitchell-based Palace Builders Inc. in 1979. The idea of starting a business together was not yet in the cards when Steve married Kathy, Larry's sister, in 1970.
When Otterby left Aberdeen to come to Mitchell in 1979, the founders focused on both farming and commercial metal construction. Otterby's background in agricultural engineering, sales and metal fabrication made for an ideal partnership with Titze's education, agricultural background and knowledge of the Mitchell region.
“I am proud that we have created jobs for many people,” said Titze.
“There are a whole bunch of (grain) bins that we put out for people,” Otterby said.
Titze agreed and remembered her start.
“When we started in 1979, the average corn yield per acre in Davison County was 40 bushels. I think we were responsible for bringing dried corn to Davison County,” Titze said.
Mitchell has post-1979 metal buildings in which Palace Builders was involved. The first metal building the company sold went to Scott Supply, which became Titan Machinery in 2024. It was built for All Star Fireworks, Logan Theaters, Tessiers, Mitchell Manufacturing and Dakota Supply Group.
Adam Thury/Mitchell Republic
Palace Builders serves the immediate 70-mile radius of Mitchell, but has also constructed buildings in the five-state area. Additionally, a team is sent to Washington state for annual maintenance after another construction company goes out of business.
“We service what we sell and we service what others sell,” said Ryan Brech, one of the longtime employees who became a partner.
Titze and Otterby will now have more time. Titze wants to travel, spend time with family, shoot traps and ride his bike. Otterby plans to be on the water and on the boat. Both plan to stay in Mitchell.
Four Palace Builders employees bought out the founders. Titze and Otterby said the new owners are doing a great job.
“The company remains in capable hands,” agree Titze and Otterby.
Wednesday's farewell party came at just the right time for Titze and Otterby's families. Titze said his wife shares her feelings on the issue.
“My wife told them to fire me,” Titze said.
“'When are you finally coming out?'” Otterby said. “And you don't dare say 'never'.”
“I don’t want my funeral to be my retirement party,” Titze said.
“Most of the people in our company that we started with are dead. At least we're retiring,” Otterby said.
The founders decided to run their company according to strict principles.
“We believed in taking care of your customers,” Otterby said.
“It wasn’t always profitable, but it was the right decision,” Titze added.
Titze and Otterby wanted to treat their employees well and listen to them.
“The goal was to hire good people in construction and management,” Otterby said. “And I think we did that.”
The four new owners bring a combined 60 years of experience to their new roles.
Jill Hohn has been with Palace Builders for 30 years and looks after the office and staff. Ryan Brech has been with Palace Builders for over 15 years, working in sales and customer service. Glenn Murtha has been with Palace Builders for eight years and is a contractor with a focus on training, quality and safety. Elliot Reiner has been with Palace Builders for seven years, has a degree in construction management and worked as a foreman for the company.
Both Reiner and Murtha plan to represent both the customer and the company on construction sites, just like Titze and Otterby.
“We are proud of what we do,” Murtha said.
Adam Thury/Mitchell Republic
Murtha couldn't imagine having bosses other than Titze and Otterby.
“Why would you want to work with anyone else after working with Larry and Steve?” Murtha said.
The founders are just a phone call away for the new owners of Palace Builders.
“We’re lucky that we can lean on them,” Hohn said of Titze and Otterby.
Marshall Mitchell is a reporter for the Mitchell Republic, covering local news and politics. He has more than 15 years of experience working with executives, authors, nonprofits and small businesses in publishing, marketing and content creation. He moved to Mitchell in December 2024 and can't wait to hear from you. Contact him at mmitchell@mitchellrepublic.com.