Hiring for growth: in the increasingly competitive world of building materials and construction, here's how 84 Lumber, Tindell's, and David Weekley Homes attract and retain good employees.(Perfect Match)

In January 2005 Blake Wagster was driving home from law school at Stetson University in Deland, Fla., when he saw a "Now Hiring" banner waving in front of an 84 Lumber store. With prior experience as a yard hand, and needing money to support his family while studying, he decided to stop in and fill out an application. Thirteen months of employment later, Wagster became manager of 84's Lake City, Fla., store, a $10 million operation, and law school was put on hold. "Honestly, I just fell in love with the company," says Wagster. "I hadn't even been there a full two months, but they were willing to give me a chance as a manager-trainee, and it just all happened from there." …