Jason Dalk: Like Father, Like Son
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
When it comes to professional careers, it’s not unusual for people to follow in their parents’ footsteps. While this was the case for Jason Dalk, it wasn’t something he originally planned. “My dad, Pete, is a contractor, so I’ve been around construction my whole life,” he explains. “After seeing the amount of time and effort he put into his business, I didn’t think it was for me, but ever since I started working with him after I graduated high school, I’ve stayed in construction. Not only that, I have my own company!” Today, both father and son operate independently in the field, but Jason says he still seeks guidance from his veteran forebear. “I’ll often call my dad to get his input on certain things. After all, he does have 45 years of experience compared to my 15, so he’s a great resource to have.”
As owner of JD Building, Jason says one thing that’s kept him in the industry is his lifelong passion for architecture. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to be an architect—in my free time I would sit down and design houses just for fun. Now that I’m in design/build, I get paid to do it, so it’s been a real dream come true.” Additionally, Jason says his hands-on experience in the field gives him a unique perspective at the drawing board. “I’ve done a lot more physical building than most architects, which enables me to incorporate both creativity and practicality in my designs.”
A native North Bay resident, Jason was born in Marin and attended high school in Petaluma before eventually settling in Rohnert Park. When he’s not working, he’s often spending time with his eight-year-old son, Nathan. “My son and I have a lot of similar interests, from building sand castles at the beach to camping and going to baseball games, so we have a lot of fun together.” Jason says he also still engages in his childhood hobby from time to time. “If I don’t have anything else going on, I’ll sit down and start drawing. Sometimes it’s business-related, but sometimes I just have ideas in my head that I need to get out, and there’s no better way than to put them on paper.”
In both his life and career, Jason espouses the importance of ongoing self-development. “There’s no ceiling to what you can do in construction, so I’m constantly learning and expanding my expertise,” he says. “In addition to building and design, I’m currently looking to incorporate real estate into my repertoire, which is going to require a lot more education. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever really be done learning.”
When asked what his future retirement might look like, Jason doubts it will look much different than his life now. “I always tell people I’m going to retire when I’m 45, but anyone who knows me doesn’t think I’ll ever retire because I love building so much. I would definitely like to do some traveling, but I’d probably also keep myself busy working on small projects.”
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant?
A: Mike’s at the Crossroads in Cotati.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Any place that has a lot of ancient architecture, like Egypt or Rome.
Q: What was your favorite video game as a child?
A: Super Mario Brothers.
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: Tools—old tools, new tools, it doesn’t matter. I’m always looking for a justification to buy a tool whether I need it or not. Call it a Tim Allen complex.
Q: What’s your favorite smell?
A: The ocean air.