Tennessee Erosion Control, a Nashville-based company, is often the first contractor to arrive and among the last to leave, installing and maintaining the systems that keep sediment contained and construction projects compliant from start to finish.
That responsibility has helped Tennessee Erosion Control establish itself as a growing force throughout Middle Tennessee since opening its doors in 2022.
Today, the company employs 62 people and dispatches 10 to 11 crews daily throughout Nashville and surrounding counties.
For owner Todd Cheek, the company's success can be traced back to one simple principle: "Answer your phone."
That straightforward philosophy has become the foundation of Tennessee Erosion Control's culture.
"If there's a problem, you address the issue head on, right then and right now, get it past us and move on," Cheek said.
The approach has helped the company build strong relationships with contractors while establishing a reputation for reliability in a business where responsiveness often can determine whether projects remain on schedule.
Career Change Opens Door to Construction Industry
Cheek's path into construction was anything but traditional.
Before entering the industry, he spent two decades in the golf business, first as a golf professional and later as a manufacturer's sales representative of Cleveland Golf.
When the 2008 recession significantly impacted the golf industry, he began exploring other opportunities.
He connected with a friend working in construction and entered the erosion control industry, learning from the ground up.
"I started on the bottom," Cheek said.
His responsibilities included inspections and project management, giving him exposure to every aspect of the business.
Over the next 14 years, he advanced into an operations leadership role while watching development throughout Middle Tennessee continue to accelerate.
"I started in 2008 and saw the growth from ‘08 to ‘22," he said. "That's when we decided to go out on our own."
Cheek and several colleagues launched Tennessee Erosion Control in 2022 with a clear vision.
"We wanted to forge our own path, make ourselves happy and do the right thing for the customers," he said.
Erosion Control Plays Critical Role On Every Project
As development continues throughout Middle Tennessee, erosion prevention and sediment control have become increasingly important components of every construction project.
The company specializes in installing and maintaining systems designed to prevent sediment from leaving job sites and entering waterways.
The company performs seeding and strawing operations, installs erosion blankets and silt fences and conducts environmental inspections.
"Anything to do, erosion-wise, we'll do it," Cheek said.
"We'll come in, do the erosion control, do the twice-weekly inspections and then, when the project's over with, we'll remove all the erosion control and the inspection boxes," Cheek said.
Flat areas are seeded and covered with straw to establish vegetation. On retention ponds and steeper slopes, crews install erosion blankets after seeding to retain moisture and promote germination.
When traditional silt fencing cannot be installed, crews deploy filter socks, which are mulch-filled tubes that create temporary sediment barriers.
Maintaining environmental compliance requires constant monitoring.
Certified inspectors walk every project twice each week, identifying concerns and communicating directly with contractors.
"If they see something wrong, they'll talk to the contractor and recommend changes or additional controls," Cheek said.
The state of Tennessee requires inspectors to complete erosion prevention and sediment control certification training.
Large Projects Demonstrate Company's Capabilities
Tennessee Erosion Control has worked on numerous large-scale developments since opening its doors.
Among its biggest ongoing assignments is a major warehouse development in Gladeville, Tenn., consisting of multiple facilities exceeding 1 million sq. ft.
"We're doing erosion control on multiple warehouses," Cheek said. "They're big."
The company also works extensively with national home builders throughout Middle Tennessee.
Residential developments often encompass up to 50 acres at a time, though projects may be considerably larger through phased construction.
Regardless of project size, Tennessee Erosion Control's mission remains consistent: protect the environment while helping contractors maintain compliance and keep projects moving forward.
Reliable Equipment Keeps Crews Productive
Operating more than 10 crews every day requires dependable equipment capable of withstanding demanding applications.
Since launching the company in 2022, Tennessee Erosion Control has standardized its fleet around 12 Takeuchi TL8 compact track loaders purchased through Parman Tractor & Equipment.
Cheek said supply chain shortages made acquiring equipment difficult during the company's startup phase, making dealer relationships especially important.
Before officially opening the business, he met with Scotty Syler, sales representative of Parman Tractor & Equipment, to discuss equipment availability and long-term fleet needs.
"We couldn't hardly get machines," Cheek said. "We bought our first three machines from Scotty and bought every machine since."
Today, those original machines remain in service alongside nine additional units.
The Takeuchi TL8s perform some of the company's most demanding work, particularly trenching operations used for silt fence installation.
Before silt fence can be installed, crews use a loader equipped with a trencher attachment featuring a rock chain to cut a narrow, consistent trench along the project perimeter. Once the trench is completed, crews place the silt fence and backfill the soil to create a secure barrier designed to withstand rainfall and runoff throughout the life of the project.
Cheek said the application can be especially demanding because the trenchers often operate continuously for long periods in rocky or compacted soils.
"We do a lot of trenching, which means that machine's vibrating the whole day long," Cheek said. "We've had minimal problems with the Takeuchi machines."
Unlike many construction applications where equipment alternates between tasks, Tennessee Erosion Control's loaders may spend an entire day trenching thousands of linear feet of silt fence on a single job site.
The constant vibration places significant stress on both the machine and the attachment, making durability a major consideration when purchasing equipment.
The company owns 12 trenching attachments that crews deploy depending on project requirements. Each loader also is equipped with buckets and additional attachments used for grading, material handling and erosion blanket installation.
Cheek said the combination of hydraulic performance, operating stability and rugged construction has allowed crews to maintain productivity while minimizing downtime.
Just as important has been the support Tennessee Erosion Control receives from Parman Tractor & Equipment.
Cheek said the dealership's responsiveness mirrors the same values he emphasizes within his own organization.
"Scotty stays in touch with me," he said. "When you call him, he answers the phone. That's key to this business."
He also praised Parman's service department for helping minimize downtime when issues arise.
"They've been very responsive when we have had a problem," Cheek said.
For a company managing dozens of employees and multiple active projects simultaneously, dependable dealer support can have a direct impact on productivity.
The partnership with Parman Tractor & Equipment has allowed Tennessee Erosion Control to maintain a consistent fleet while supporting its continued expansion throughout Middle Tennessee.
"It's been great to see Todd and his team's growth from the beginning to now," said Syler. "We are very excited for their future and look forward to growing with them."
One-Stop Shop Expands Services
Tennessee Erosion Control also operates Ralph Hollow Farms LLC, an erosion control supply company created to serve contractors who prefer to install their own products.
The operation has evolved into an important extension of the business.
Contractors can purchase geotextiles, inlet protection products, silt fence, erosion blankets, seed, fertilizer and hydromulch directly from the company.
"If we don't have it, we'll find it for them," Cheek said.
The company recently relocated from Elm Hill Pike to a larger facility on Fesslers Lane in Nashville.
The move provided additional yard space and larger warehouses, allowing products to remain protected from moisture and weather exposure.
"It allows us to keep everything under cover," Cheek said.
The expanded facility supports Tennessee Erosion Control's goal of becoming a one-stop shop for erosion control services and supplies throughout Middle Tennessee.
People Remain Company's Greatest Asset
Despite the company's rapid growth, Cheek said people remain Tennessee Erosion Control's greatest strength.
"I'm proud of all the people that come to work here every single day and give it 100 percent," he said.
The company hosts two employee events annually — an anniversary celebration and a Christmas party — to strengthen relationships among employees.
"We feed them, have fun, play games and just try to get to know the guys better," Cheek said.
Cheek also credits loyal customers for helping the company succeed.
"The contractors that we work with are very loyal and we're very loyal to them," he said. "It works out for both."
Nearly two decades after entering the erosion control industry, those relationships continue to motivate him.
"One is the customer," Cheek said. "Two is the camaraderie of the people that work with you."
For Tennessee Erosion Control, those principles have become the blueprint for building both a company and a reputation throughout Middle Tennessee. CEG
