What makes a 3-peat?

Interview with: Matt Porter, Co-Owner of Pavers by Porter.

Winning the Hardscape North America (HNA) Installer Championship once is a career milestone; winning it three consecutive years in a row seals a legacy. 

Before officially retiring from the arena floor at the top of their game, the crew at Pavers by Porter proved that speed means nothing without structural integrity and flawless execution. We sat down with Matt Porter to discuss the relentless physical training, family culture, and daily site habits that built Northern Nevada’s premier hardscape team—and the non-negotiable rules every contractor should live by.

Pavers by Porter was founded in 2007 by Bill Porter. How has the company evolved from its early days to becoming one of Northern Nevada's premier hardscape contractors? 

Since the beginning we have strongly emphasized building a foundation around customer satisfaction, safety, and training employees from the top down. Bill's construction background led him to create a company focused on the structural integrity of a paver system and building to specifications. Operation crew led by Chris Porter, Salvador Reyes, and Miguel Reyes, used their skills to create homeowners' dreamscapes. Our combination of structural strength and custom finishes has established Pavers by Porter as the top contractor in Northern Nevada.

Winning the HNA Installer Championship three years in a row is an incredible feat in our industry. How did this specific 2025 championship crew come together, and what roles does each team member play when building under the clock? 

We knew that 2025 would be our final year as competitors, and failing to win the 3-peat was not an option. Knowing how to prep for the competition is key. It challenges the team both physically and mentally. Our competition crew consisted of Chris Porter (alternate/coach), Salvador Reyes (Installer), Miguel Reyes (Installer), Matt Porter (Logistics), and Bill Porter (Motivator). But the secret ingredient to winning a 3-peat was the teamwork between Chris, Salvador, and Miguel. Everyone knew their role and executed it at the highest level.

What do you chalk up your Three-Peat success to? How did your team train for the competition while still operating a business? 

The skill level that Salvador and Miguel have with building a paver surface is un-matched. Daily they practice building paver systems to specifications. The physical factor of this competition is what separates the competitors. Operating quickly and under the pressure of the clock can wear down the body fast. Both Miguel and Salvador maintain a balanced workout routine outside of work. Specifically for the competition we would dedicate time on Fridays for Chris, Salvador, and Miguel to run time trials to train and fine tune our created design build.

Almost every trades business struggles with retaining skilled craftsmen. How do you train and keep top-tier talent who care about quality? 

Being a paver installer is demanding work. Creating a balanced work day and providing crews with the required tools and equipment creates a safe productive work environment. Chris, Salvador, and Miguel take great pride in the Pavers by Porter name, ensuring that everyone wearing the logo shows the same pride. This is a family-run business, and we will always take care of our family.

Your team heavily emphasizes CMHA certification and ongoing trade education. How has prioritizing formal certification helped your business? 

Continuing education is key to giving an employee the required knowledge to be successful in the field. We have established best practices that keep our employees safe and productive.

You can't win three consecutive championships without top-notch equipment. What are 2 or 3 non-negotiable tools or pieces of equipment that your crew relies on every single day? 

Hydraulic/mechanical equipment (i.e., skid steers, mini excavators, compaction equipment), concrete saws, and good hand tools. We always joke that the first tool out of the service truck is the microwave, and the last tool loaded up at the end of the job is the microwave.

A speed-and-precision build on the arena floor is impressive, but how do the habits you refine for the HNA competition translate to your daily residential outdoor living projects in Reno/Sparks?

I think the teamwork habits are the most important ones that translate from the competition to day to day work. Each crew member knowing their job responsibilities. Each crew member is cross-trained in other functions to make them a more rounded employee. Our foreman leadership implements this habit daily which allows our company to grow stronger.

Under HNA rules, completing a three-peat means Pavers by Porter officially retires from the Installer Championship. How does it feel to step down at the absolute top, and what advice do you have for the crew taking the arena floor next year? 

We always knew that we could compete at this level. When we finally got a chance in 2023, thanks to Parker Outdoor Living Supply, we won. We knew at that point the 3 peat was possible. Stepping down as a 3-peat champion will forever notch our name in HNA history, and to us that is very special. The recognition that Chris, Salvador, and Miguel received at the convention was special to watch. And I know Bill is very proud of his family (Chris, Salvador, Miguel, and Matt) for the strong business he has created for them.

Now that you’ve conquered the HNA arena floor, what is the next big goal or milestone for your company over the next 3 to 5 years? 

Our goal in the next 3 to 5 years is to continue growing the company. Taking on larger commercial projects in the area, servicing more residential customers, and continuing to establish our name as the best paver installer in the nation. But who knows, maybe HNA will invite us back for a best-of-the-best competition...

If you could leave one piece of advice for every hardscape contractor reading this showcase issue of Hardscape Magazine, what would it be? 

It's all in the details. Creativity is in the eye of the beholder, but straight lines don't lie.

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