J&S Construction Company, Inc. is a full-service general contractor, focusing on design-build and green building, operating out of Cookeville, Tennessee.
J&S Construction’s roots can be traced back to 1926 when Pat Stites began doing construction work for people around the Upper Cumberland. While much of the nation was struggling during the Great Depression in the 1930s, Stites began a small gravel company known as Builder’s Supply Company. During that time, the family experienced many firsts: they were the first to introduce ready-mix concrete to the region, the first to open a cash-and-carry lumber yard and the first to design and build a concrete block plant.
Thirty years later, Pat’s son, John D. Stites had just returned home from serving in the Navy during World War II, returning to Cookeville to attend college. However, he left college soon after to pursue a career with the family business – Builder’s Supply. While there, John set up material at the construction site for the Buffalo Valley Bridge which was the first section of Interstate 40 to be built in the state. From there, the Stites name became synonymous with construction, construction innovation and, of course, family values.
In 1957, John established J&S Construction as a small firm that primarily built speculative houses. In the early 1970s, Jack and his brother, Johnny, chose to follow in their father’s footsteps and officially came on board at J&S Construction. A few years later, John D. Stites stepped down from his post and Jack later took the helm as president.
Through the years, J&S Construction has been recognized numerous times for excellence in construction. Two of the firm’s highest honors came when J&S Construction received the Tennessee Quality Achievement Award. J&S Construction is the only contractor in the State of Tennessee to be awarded the Achievement Award from the Tennessee Center for Performance twice. J&S Construction continues to lead the way as the premier Design-Build firm by being the first contractor in the State of Tennessee to complete a LEED Silver, LEED Gold and LEED Platinum Certified building and has designed and built more than 186,000 square feet of LEED certified space.
Today, with Jack Stites leading the J&S Construction team as president, alongside chief operating officer, Kevin McCaleb, the company has positioned itself as one of the premier Design-Build firms in Tennessee. J&S Construction also employs approximately 115 of the finest craftsmen and trade professionals in the construction industry.
Located in Middle Tennessee, J&S Construction is strategically placed to provide services to the Southeast Region as well as other states. Markets include: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
J&S Construction has LEED APs on staff to assist with any energy-efficient building project.
J&S Construction has obtained many “firsts” in LEED certifications through the USGBC:
FIRST LEED certification for an independent care facility in Tennessee (LEED Gold Certified)
FIRST LEED Gold Certification for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Ft. Campbell base
FIRST LEED Gold Certification for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Louisville District
FIRST LEED Platinum Certification in Tennessee
FIRST LEED Gold Certification for a Class “A” Office Space in Tennessee
FIRST LEED Silver Certification for a Retail Center in Tennessee
FIRST General Contractor in Tennessee to receive top three certifications through the USGBC: LEED Silver, LEED Gold and LEED Platinum.
While the construction industry is an inherently hazardous one, J&S Construction has put in place an award-winning safety program that has earned the Tennessee Commissioner's Award of Excellence for Workplace Safety.
The company record for man hours without a lost time accident is 645,000, which was reached in 2014.
2016 - Over 395,000 man hours without a lost time accident
2014 - Construction Safety Excellence Award by Associated General Contractors of TN
2014 - Over 645,000 man hours without a lost time accident
2013 - Over 495,000 man hours without a lost time accident (including $12.2 million Vehicle Maintenance Facility for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Ft. Campbell, Ky.)
2010 - Over 493,000 man hours without a lost time accident (including $13 million Equipment Maintenance and Supply Complex, Ft. Campbell, Ky.)
2009 - Over 193,000 man hours without a lost time accident
2008 - Reached goal of over 300,000 man hours without a lost time accident
2007 - Over 200,000 man hours without a lost time accident
2007 - AGC Trust Safety Award
2006 - Over 550,000 man hours since 2001 without a lost time accident
2005 - State of Tennessee Commissioner of Labor Award of Excellency
2004 - New Record: 35,000 man days without a lost time accident
2004 - J&S Construction received the Celebrate Safety® Award from the USACE
2003, 2004 - AGC CompTrust Safety Award (No longer in CompTrust)
1997 - Certificate of Commendation for Safety Excellence by Associated General Contractors - 25% below division incidence rates
1996 - Certificate of Commendation for Safety Excellence by Associated General Contractors - 15% below division incidence rates
1995 - Certificate of Commendation for Safety Excellence by Associated General Contractors - 25% below division incidence rates
Awards and Accolades
J&S Construction has earned recognition from many professional organizations over the course of its history. Past achievements include:
Award of Excellence in Sustainable New Construction - Associated General Contractors of TN, Middle TN Branch – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Maintenance Complex (Ft. Hood, Texas)
Third Place Installer Winner: Sustainability Category - ATAS International, Inc. - Vehicle Maintenance Facility for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (Ft. Campbell, Ky.)
Award of Merit: Sustainability Project - Associated General Contractors of TN, Middle TN Branch - Sustainment Brigade Administration Facility (Ft. Campbell, Ky.)
Award of Merit: $10-$20 Million Project - Associated General Contractors of TN, Middle TN Branch - Vehicle Maintenance Facility for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (Ft. Campbell, Ky.)
Golden Hammer Award – Top Performer, Contractor Connection (Emergency Response Division) - 2010 & 2012
Million Dollar Crystal Globe Award – A&S Building Systems
2012 The Cumulative Million-Dollar Award – A&S Building Systems
The Top 10 Builder Award – A&S Building Systems
Award of Distinction (Faith Baptist Church’s Family Life Center, Madison, Tenn.) – A&S Building Systems
John D. Stites II - 2013 SIR (Skill, Integrity, Responsibility) Construction Lifetime Achievement Award - Associated General Contractors of TN, Middle TN Branch
Award of Merit: Sustainability Project - Associated General Contractors of TN, Middle TN Branch - Stones River Manor Independent Living (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
FIRST LEED certified independent care facility in Tennessee – Certified LEED Gold - Stones River Manor (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Silver Award - $2.51-$5 Million Project - Associated General Contractors of TN, Middle TN Branch - Genera Biomass Innovation Park (Vonore, Tenn.)
"Top of the List: Tennessee LEED Certified Spaces," Ranked No. 1 by Memphis Business Journal - GSA Census Bureau Office
"Top of the List: Tennessee LEED Certified Spaces," Ranked No. 24 by Memphis Business Journal - Freedom Plaza
The Outstanding Customer Award - A&S Building Systems
The Outstanding Performance Award - A&S Building Systems
The Award of Excellence (Nashville Hangar, Nashville International Airport) - A&S Building Systems
FIRST LEED Gold Certification for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Ft. Campbell Base and Louisville District) - Equipment Maintenance and Supply Complex (Ft. Campbell, Ky.)
Silver Award - $5.01-$15 Million Project - Associated General Contractors of TN - Equipment Maintenance and Supply Complex (Ft. Campbell, Ky.)
Educator Award - Associated General Contractors of TN
Commander Coin of Excellence, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Louisville District - Equipment Maintenance and Supply Complex (Ft. Campbell, Ky.)
FIRST LEED Platinum Certification for the state of Tennessee - GSA Census Bureau Office (Cookeville, Tenn.)
Featured in Spring Issue 2010 of Building & Construction Southeast
Excellence in Design Award (Residential Projects) from Chief Buildings
FIRST LEED Gold Certified Class “A” Office Space for Tennessee - Freedom Plaza (Cookeville, Tenn.)
FIRST LEED Silver Certified Retail Center for Tennessee - Times Square (Cookeville, Tenn.)
Featured in American Builders Quarterly
Winner Excellence in Design Award from American Buildings Company
Winner Tennessee American Business Ethics Award
Winner Best New Parking Lot from Tennessee Concrete Association
Winner Excellence in Design Award from American Buildings Company
Winner Best New Construction from the National Association of Church Design Builders
Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence - Achievement Award
Winner Tennessee American Business Ethics Award
American Buildings Company Excellence in Design Award
Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence - Commitment Award
Recipient of AGC Zero Loss Time Award
Blue Chip Enterprise Award from United States Chamber of Commerce
