In 1976, Larry had his own aspirations, and founded his own company, Templeton Engineering, Inc. TE started as an earthwork and demolition company for a wide variety of project sizes and types. With early success, Larry grew his company to more than 35 employees and over 30 pieces of equipment. In 1989 Larry continued to press into his work, despite the slowing economy and the birth of his 4th child. That year, he downsized his business so he could re-focus the business and spend more time with his family. Along with his refocusing he took on his first DOD contract, Mining Ranges, which consisted of clearing firing ranges of bullets at Camp Pendleton. Larry developed a process to separate the munitions from the dirt, and then the lead from the steel and copper. Thus, he was able to recycle all the material. Larry enjoyed working on the base, and found his work more satisfying when he was serving the military community. Thus, in 1990, TE almost exclusively began working on military and government contracts. In 1995, after hiring key personnel, TE was able to add site utility work to its scope. Larry’s sons Richard and Robert joined the company in the early 2000’s. Together they have methodically grown the company to take on more aspects of building construction.

Project safety is of utmost importance to Larry, and his record proves it. Over the last nearly 40 years in business, TE has successfully completed countless man hours’ worth of work with no serious injuries. Larry has experienced a myriad of innovative changes in the industry, but he is most proud of the culture of safety his company has taken on, preserving the safety of not only his employees, but the men and women they work alongside and the public in general.