Growing up around the Chesapeake Bay, Andrew Burkhardt developed a deep appreciation for waterfront living long before he built a business around it. Raised in Severn, Maryland, and spending much of his childhood in downtown Annapolis and the surrounding waterfront communities, Andrew has remained closely connected to the region throughout his life.

Today, he channels that connection into Chesapeake Tram & Waterfront, a specialized company focused on the service, maintenance, repair, modernization, and installation of residential hillside elevator systems on waterfront properties.

“This is a very niche industry, which is part of what drew me to it in the first place,” Andrew explains. “I have always been interested in mechanical systems, problem-solving, and work that falls outside the typical day-to-day trades.”

That interest eventually led him to recognize a significant need in the Chesapeake region. While many waterfront homeowners had tram systems installed on their properties, finding qualified professionals to service and maintain them was often a challenge.

“As I learned more about the industry, I recognized a major gap in the market for dependable tram service and maintenance providers in this region,” he says. “Many homeowners had systems installed but struggled to find qualified companies to properly service, repair, or modernize them afterward.”

Seeing that opportunity, Andrew launched Chesapeake Tram & Waterfront with a mission to provide reliable, specialized service for homeowners throughout the region. The company focuses on inspections, diagnostics, preventative maintenance, upgrades, and emergency repairs designed to keep tram systems operating safely and reliably year-round.

What separates the company from others is its unique combination of expertise in mechanical systems, electrical work, and waterfront environments. Those skills are especially important in the Chesapeake Bay area, where corrosion, structural wear, and environmental conditions can significantly impact system performance.

“We are fully licensed, fully insured, and 100% local,” Andrew says. “That gives our customers confidence that they are working with a company that understands both the technical side of these systems and the unique challenges that come with waterfront properties in this region.”

While technical knowledge is critical, Andrew believes relationships are equally important.

“I’m most passionate about developing real relationships with my customers, built on trust, transparency, and follow-through,” he shares. “I don’t view projects as one-time transactions, but as ongoing partnerships.”

That relationship-first mindset has become a defining characteristic of the business. Rather than immediately recommending complete system replacements, Andrew and his team emphasize preventative maintenance, practical upgrades, and long-term reliability.

“What sets me apart is a relationship-driven approach to business, rather than treating relationships as a byproduct of transactions,” he says. “The focus isn’t just on completing a job, but on building trust and delivering consistent value over time.”

Andrew is quick to credit much of the company’s growth to the people around him.

“My success is definitely attributed to the team surrounding me,” he says. “Having the right people involved has been one of the biggest factors in building the company into what it is today.”

He also believes success extends beyond financial metrics.

“I would define success as building something that people genuinely trust and respect,” Andrew explains. “To me, success is not just financial growth, but creating a company with a strong reputation, meaningful relationships, and work that consistently delivers value to customers.”

That philosophy is reflected in the company’s guiding principle: “Whatever it takes.”

“In the tram and incline elevator industry, there is no such thing as a routine day,” Andrew says. “Every property and every system presents its own unique challenges.”

The phrase serves as a reminder of the company’s commitment to solving problems and serving customers.

“‘Whatever it takes’ reflects our mindset as a company,” he continues. “We are committed to finding solutions, overcoming obstacles, and doing what is necessary to make sure the job is completed safely and correctly for our customers.”

Looking ahead, Andrew’s goal is straightforward: continue raising the standard for tram service throughout the Chesapeake region while maintaining the responsiveness, quality, and personal relationships that helped build the company in the first place.

“Our goal at Chesapeake Tram & Waterfront is to raise the standard for tram service in this area by making systems safer, more dependable, and consistently operational year-round,” he says. “We want homeowners to have confidence that their equipment is being properly maintained and cared for.”