BurWil Construction’s presence across East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia reflects more than six decades of steady development, shaped by continuity in leadership and a consistent approach to project delivery. Founded in 1962 in Bristol, Tennessee, the company has grown into a regional contractor providing general contracting, design-build services, and construction management, with an expanded footprint that now includes Knoxville and the surrounding areas.
From its earliest days, the company was built on the experience and reputation of its founder, William C. Burriss. Having worked as a superintendent and project manager and estimator for several large construction firms, Burriss established the business with a clear philosophy centered on integrity, quality, and reliability. That approach has remained a constant as the company has evolved. As the team explains, the aim has always been to “provide clients with the professional construction services of the highest level of quality, value, and safety.”
“As the team explains, the aim has always been to “provide clients with the professional construction services of the highest level of quality, value, and safety.”
Leadership within the company has developed across multiple generations, contributing to a continuity that has shaped its identity. In 1967, William C. Burriss Jr. joined the firm, later serving as president and CEO until his retirement in 2016. Over the following decades, additional leadership appointments supported the company’s growth. William H. Prince joined in 1982 as a project manager and estimator, progressing through senior operational roles before becoming president and COO in 2002, and later president and CEO following Burriss Jr.’s retirement. In 2022, the leadership structure evolved again, with Prince assuming the role of CEO and Nick Self, who joined the firm in 2001 as vice president of operations, becoming president.
Alongside this, the company has continued to strengthen its operational and financial leadership. William C. Burriss III joined in 2003 as a project manager and estimator and later became CFO and corporate secretary, while Whitney Manahan, AIA, joined BurWil Design in 2021 as lead architect before becoming director of architecture and design. These transitions reflect a business that has expanded while maintaining a consistent leadership framework.
A key step in that expansion came in 1998 with the establishment of BurWil Design Group, allowing the company to offer integrated design-build services. This capability has become a central part of its offering, enabling clients to move through design and construction within a single, coordinated process. Over time, the company has further expanded its services to include architectural and design services as well as owner’s representative support, broadening its role across the full project lifecycle.
Today, BurWil Construction operates across a range of sectors, delivering projects that combine design, construction, and management expertise. Its work spans general contracting, construction management, and design-build, supported by in-house architectural capabilities. This integrated approach has allowed the company to respond to changing client expectations while maintaining control over quality and delivery.
Over the past 64 years, the company has reached a number of milestones, but its leadership points to consistency as its most significant achievement. “With over 60 years of experience, our biggest accomplishment is our consistency,” the team said. “Over that time, we’ve seen consistent growth, and we’ve been a continuous recipient of awards for design, construction and safety.” That consistency has contributed to a strong base of repeat clients, reinforcing long-term relationships across the region.
The company’s project portfolio reflects both its history and its current direction. At Kern’s Food Hall in Knoxville, BurWil completed a renovation that transformed a former bakery into a modern gathering space. Once described by the team as the “beating heart of Knoxville’s bakery scene,” the building has been reimagined as a destination for food, retail, and community activity. “Inside these historic walls, neighbors, visitors, and friends come together to share a meal, raise a glass, shop, and celebrate the moments that matter,” the team said. The project received the 2025 Build Award for Best Renovation, recognizing the company’s work in adapting an existing structure to a new purpose.
In Southwest Virginia, BurWil delivered the PBS Appalachia Television Station, the first all-digital television station of its kind. The facility supports the creation of local content and reflects a broader effort to amplify regional voices. The project required a combination of technical coordination and design integration, aligning with the company’s design-build capabilities.
The company is also working on the Academic Building at East Tennessee State University, currently under construction, the building will be ready for students returning for the Fall semester. Once completed, the building will serve as a multi-purpose, collaborative space for students and staff. “It is anticipated to transform the center of campus,” the team said, highlighting the role of the project within the university’s long-term development.
Additional recognition has come through industry awards, including the 2025 Project of the Year awards for ETSU Burleson Hall and the Bill Gatton Foundation, presented by AGC Tri-Cities. The company also received the 2025 Best Non-Building Structure Award from the Tennessee Concrete Association for the Tennessee High Stone Castle project. These projects reflect a portfolio that spans both traditional buildings and more specialized structures.
Across its work, BurWil Construction attributes its continued development to the strength of its relationships. Long-term partnerships with clients have supported both repeat business and a consistent pipeline of work, allowing the company to grow while maintaining its core values. Community involvement has also played a role, linking the company’s projects to the regions in which it operates.
Looking ahead, the company sees continued growth across its markets, particularly in Knoxville, where its office has expanded significantly over the past five years. Maintaining that growth while preserving quality remains a central focus. “Although there are many general contractors and architecture firms in the area, we believe the quality of our design-build offering is something that sets us apart and will help us continue that expansion,” the team said.
At the same time, BurWil is continuing to develop its design services, with BurWil Design now offering stand-alone architectural work in addition to its integrated design-build projects. “We have been growing our design services, and BurWil Design now offers stand-alone design in addition to our typical design-build offering,” the team explained. “We noticed a need for this within the region and see it as an area with great growth potential.”
The broader market context also points to changing conditions that may shape future work. According to the company, smaller towns are experiencing shifts driven by remote and hybrid working patterns, alongside generational changes and movement toward lower-cost regions. “This means our region is primed for growth, so we look forward to being a part of that, and we want to help make sure that growth is smart and sustainable,” the team noted.
As BurWil Construction moves forward, its direction remains grounded in the principles that have defined its work since 1962. Through a combination of design capability, construction expertise, and long-term relationships, the company continues to operate as a consistent presence within a changing regional market, balancing growth with the standards that have shaped its reputation over more than six decades.
