SECOND FASTEST GROWING COMPANY 100 PROFILE: Milestone Engineering & Construction, Inc.

SPECIALTY: Construction managers and general contractors for the commercial. industrial, institutional. and educational markets.

Frank Lemay and William Giles built their construction company from a two-man operation in an 8- by 10-foot room in to a thriving business.

Lemay, president. started the company 12 years ago and two years later combined his expertise with that of Giles, vice president. While enjoying impressive growth in a hot economy for the construction industry, both men want to make sure the Concord-based company doesn't become so big that they lose the ability to be personally involved in its projects.

"When you hire Milestone, you hire Frank and me and our experience," Giles says "You're dealing with the two principals of the company."

Giles attributes the company's success to being frank and open with clients and providing them with quality service. Milestone has projects lined up through September 2001 but Lemay expects the company's expansion will slow down ... by choice.

"We probably won't be back here again as a fastest growing company next year. We're close to our critical mass. We don't want to be any bigger," Giles says, explaining that would mean getting away from providing personal attention, which they are not willing to do.

The company has a stable base of work, with 60 to 70 percent of clients and architects coming back to them with more projects. Lemay says.

LESSONS LEARNED: "Pay attention to the client and business," says Giles. "You have to be very in touch with your projects," Lemay adds.