Hocking graduate, Brandy McCombs '99, is the 35-year-old founder and president of International Builders and Consultants (IBC), a commercial carpentry contracting company in Kansas City.

 

IBC has had many high profile clients including Children's Mercy Hospital, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium at Crown Center.

 

McCombs comes from a long line of business owners. Growing up in Nelsonville, her father owned an auto parts store and her grandfather owned the only gas station in town.

 

"My dream was always to own my own business," she said. "Was it construction? Well, maybe not. But as I followed through on what I liked to do, that's when I found that this was the kind of company I wanted."

 

McCombs graduated from Hocking College with a business degree and quickly jumped into the business world. After testing out the restaurant business in Florida she broke into the construction business.

 

After some research she decided Kansas City would be the best place for her future contracting business.

 

She is proud to be carrying on the legacy her father and grandfather had started, running a successful business.

 

"My grandpa's not here anymore, but I think he would be very proud," she said. "My father is very proud of me. He was here in town a few years ago, and I had the business, and things were going pretty good. We were out to dinner together. He told me he was proud of me for being so gutsy."