During summer vacations while in high school and college, lifelong friends Jack Miller and Jimmy Long worked for the same construction company, learning every aspect of the business in jobs ranging from laborer and carpenter helper to timekeeper and engineer. After active military service in World War II, the young men returned home to Washington, D.C. Jack and Jimmy knew the field of construction was an opportunity for great success, so they decided to start a business of their own. With borrowed capital and a new Ford truck, a $50 investment in tools, and encouragement from their wives, Miller & Long Co., Inc. opened for business on February 1, 1947. The early years challenged the partners to be flexible and innovative, working in the field by day and on bookkeeping, payroll, and estimating at night in the basements of their homes. At first, the business grew slowly but steadily. Miller & Long built a reputation for fair dealing with customers and delivering quality services on consistent and reliable schedules with no work stoppages. Early projects included street and alley paving, sidewalks, stores and warehouses, as well as churches, schools, shopping centers, and small apartment developments. In 1957, the company moved into its first commercial space and hired its first employee to handle office duties. Throughout the boom in high-rise construction in the 1960s, Miller & Long developed new methods and techniques that later became standard practices in the industry.