One time juvenile delinquent turned celebrity home builder
By Erick Galindo, Staff Writer
PASADENA -- Some considered Gary Drake to be a hellraiser, a juvenile delinquent even, but he showed them all, growing into his independence and twice launching a lucrative career building homes for the stars.
"I can't think of anyone from my past who hasn't succumbed to the dangers of the streets," said Drake. "I've been pretty lucky. I was in reform school, juvenile hall and now I'm on the board of these prestigious institutions."
Drake, the CEO and founder of Drake General Contractors, was named last month to board of directors of Hillsides in Pasadena. As a teen often in trouble, Drake was placed in Hillsides and credits the program for helping him through a rough time in his life.
The nonprofit creates safe havens and offers treatment to children who are living in group homes or foster care or have been referred by the Department of Mental Health.
"Now I get to give back," he said. "And I think I bring a unique perspective because I am the first alumni of the school to be on the board in its 95-year history."
Drake is also on the board at the Good Shepherd School in Beverly Hills, where his high-end residential and commercial construction firm does a lot of its business.
Drake Construction specializes primarily in Los Angeles' tony Westside and counts numerous A-list celebrities and other illustrious figures such as Madonna, Sting, Jim Carey and former Secretary of State Warren Christopher among its clients.
But none of that would have been possible if it wasn't for his stay at Hillsides, where he picked up his first jackhammer when he was only 15 years old.
"I learned important life skills while I was there and I'm grateful for the safe haven provided to me at Hillsides," he said.
But the life skills he learned were not limited to hard work and drilling.
"I didn't really know how to read until I went to Hillsides," he said.
By age 25, Drake had started his own contracting business and had to learn how to run a business on the job.
"Luckily I've been gifted with a positive attitude," he said. "I just go for it and I'm really outgoing and that goes a long way."
According to Drake, he turned a skilsaw and a jackhammer into a successful business, but was unable to survive the saving and loans crash and subsequent recession in the late 80s.
"I lost everything," Drake recounted. "My business, my home and my condo."
But Drake did not let that deter his positive attitude and was ready to work when he was called to be an adviser on a construction job at rock star Rod Stewart's old house.
Drake showed up and talked his way on to the actual job. After a short while, Drake was back to running a crew of about 30 men.
"I did what had to be done," he noted. "If they wanted me to sweep, I swept. I didn't complain that I used to own my own business or anything."
Drake ultimately survived the last market crash and said that he learned from it. In fact, it helped him not only survive the Great Recession crash, but thrive in it.
"These past three years have been the most lucrative for me," he noted. "I learned from my mistakes. And I rebuilt my business based on good work and on treating your clients well."
Drake's reputation among homeowners and contractors for providing clients with quality workmanship and timely results, made him a go-to contractor for the stars.
"Celebrities appreciate that I tell them how it is," he said. "I don't lie about being able to do something that I know I won't be able to complete on time. And my books are open, so they know I don't over charge."
