As Avanti Builders celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the story of this construction company is one of resilience, passion and unexpected inspiration. Founded by Ryan Luttrell in 2015, Avanti’s journey began not just with a business plan, but with a profound personal loss that would shape the company’s ethos for years to come.
Luttrell’s path to founding Avanti was paved with a wealth of experience in the construction industry. For a decade, he honed his skills with one of California’s largest commercial contractors, working on large-scale commercial projects. His expertise further expanded during his time as a facilities director for a major winery, where he managed all capital projects and real estate development.
However, it was a tragic event that ultimately sparked the creation of Avanti Builders. Eleven years ago, Luttrell lost his dear friend Tony Lombardi in an unexpected and heartbreaking turn of events. At Tony’s funeral, his brother-in-law’s words resonated deeply with Luttrell: “Live for today, because you never know what tomorrow brings, and live life like Tony would have.” This poignant message became the catalyst to take a leap of faith and create his own path in the construction industry.
What started as a small startup has blossomed into a thriving construction company with over 150 clients and annual revenue in excess of $40 million. The company’s growth has been organic, driven by Luttrell’s passion for construction, delivering results and hard work, with an even deeper passion for building true connections with clients.
“Avanti wouldn’t be here without our amazing team, trade partners and clients who make the gears run and make it worth going to work every day. Their commitment to our core values of quality, honesty, reliability and safety has been the cornerstone of our success. I can’t express how grateful I am, and I think how grateful we all are, to be able to come into work and be around this team.” — Ryan Luttrell, Founder and CEO
Avanti’s success story is not just about completed projects and expanding portfolios. It’s about the relationships built, the communities served and the lives touched along the way. From commercial hospitality to wineries and, most recently, to building homes for tribal communities, each project carries a piece of Tony’s legacy — a reminder to make each day count.
As Avanti Builders looks towards its 10th anniversary, Luttrell reflects on the journey with a mix of pride and honest reflection. It’s clear as he speaks about the company that gratitude towards his team is paramount.
The story of Avanti Builders is a testament to the power of turning tragedy into triumph, of finding purpose in loss and of building not just structures, but a legacy. As Luttrell puts it, “I miss Tony every day, but his legacy lives on in the work we do, the impact we have on the lives of our employees and successes of our clients’ projects.”
From its humble beginnings to its current status as a respected player in the California construction industry, Avanti Builders’ journey is a heartwarming reminder that sometimes the most beautiful structures are built on foundations of love, friendship and the courage to embrace life’s unexpected turns.
