A bas relief featuring the head of the sun god Helios graces the paneling surrounding the master bath of the Carolands Estate.

hen the showcase ended, he spent several more months executing further repairs that the Coyote Point Auxiliary had agreed to make on behalf of the owner. Today, you walk through the thick wrought iron gates into the vestibule, with its travertine floors, walk inside the front door into that cathedral-cool air, walk up the soaring dual staircase. There is hardly a room that doesn't retain some of Dowling's handiwork.

Word spread of Dowling's ability to manage the most detailed projects. As he wrapped up his work at the Carolands, a nearby lot owner was on the verge of firing the builder he had hired to build his dream house. The building hadn't made it past its framing inspection, yet it was plagued by leaky windows, doors, and decks over the living space. The owner caught wind of Dowling's reputation and had him installed as the superintendent for the duration of the project.

"Now there was a tragic situation," recalls Dowling. "The owner and contractor were at each other's throats. Over a dozen subcontractors were on the verge of bankruptcy. Somebody had to straighten things out, or the project would have been in litigation just two months after it had started."

With his older sister, Lynn, working as his assistant, Dowling poured through the project's records. "We had access to all the information that could explain why the project and many of its subcontractors were in trouble. It was eye-opening. The practices of a company that survived the ordeal were sometimes only subtly different from those that didn't. Many of our processes were honed as a result of seeing so many other companies fail."

Prominent construction consultant Meredith Richardson notes about Dowling's approach to problem solving. "He has an innate understanding of the building industry and a detailed knowledge of the mechanics necessary to prevent and stop leaks. He also knows how to handle himself in pressure situations."

By the end of that project, younger brother Mark Dowling was on board working in the field. "Mark's graduation from Santa Clara put the final piece in place," says Dan. "He's really played a key role in our unbroken run of growth."