The history of the metal building industry is often defined by those who can bridge the gap between rigorous engineering and visionary leadership. For nearly four decades, Tony “TR” Raimondo and his son, Phil Raimondo, embodied this balance, transforming Behlen Mfg. Co. from a struggling enterprise into a global industry titan. Their combined leadership represents a unique “father-son” milestone in the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) history, marking a legacy of service that has fortified the industry’s standards, market reach, and workforce.
TR Raimondo’s impact began with a bold move in 1984. Stepping into a company losing millions of dollars annually, TR led a management buyout that stabilized Behlen and set in motion a decades-long trajectory of growth. With a background in operations from giants such as General Motors and Moog Aerospace, TR brought a disciplined, people-focused management style to the metal building sector.
Under his guidance, the industry’s scope shifted. TR moved the market beyond simple rural structures, championing larger, highly engineered systems for commercial and metropolitan applications. His strategic foresight led to pivotal acquisitions
—including Inland Buildings and EagleSpan Steel—and the landmark Behlen-China Joint Venture in 2002. This international expansion did more than grow a company; it demonstrated the global adaptability of metal building construction.
TR’s influence peaked during his 1996 chairmanship of the MBMA, where he provided the industry with a roadmap to navigate complex market cycles and construction trends.
“My father, TR, believed deeply in hard work and treating people with respect. While many knew him as a leader in the industry, we knew him as someone who lived those values every day. Our family is incredibly proud of the legacy he left behind,” said TR’s son Tony Raimondo Jr., who serves as Behlen’s board chair.
Phil Raimondo joined the firm in 1990, bringing an engineering and process-driven mindset that would eventually define the industry’s modern quality standards. Following in his father’s footsteps, Phil became chairman of the MBMA executive committee in 2009. While TR expanded the industry’s horizons, Phil strengthened its foundation.
His leadership during the 2020 acquisition of Trident Building Systems further expanded the industry’s engineering capabilities and geographic footprint, ensuring that the “Behlen standard” remained synonymous with reliability.
What truly sets the Raimondos apart is their commitment to the “manufacturing ecosystem.” Both men recognized early on that the industry’s future depended on a skilled workforce. TR launched the “Dream It. Do It.” initiative in Nebraska,creating the Career Dream Team, which became a national program through the Manufacturing Institute. Phil continued this mission by advocating for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and supporting programs such as Women in Manufacturing and the STEP Ahead Awards.
During the global challenges of 2020, Phil’s leadership extended to the manufacturing community. He convened weekly briefings for manufacturers across the state to share safety protocols and operational strategies, ensuring the industry remained resilient amid unprecedented uncertainty.
The Raimondos represent the first father-son pair to both chair the MBMA, but their true contribution is the bridge they built between Walter Behlen’s founding vision in 1956 and the high-tech, high-standard industry of today. Their leadership was never just about steel and buildings; it was about integrity, community philanthropy, and the belief that a manufacturer has a responsibility to the people it employs and the industry it represents.
“The example set by my father, Phil, has had a profound influence on me. I’m proud to carry forward the principles he believed in and to build on the foundation he created. His examples continue to shape how I approach my own career and contributions to the industry,” said Phil’s son, Patrick Raimondo.
