What inspired you to enter the construction industry?

I’ve always had an interest in building, but I wasn’t sure what career to pursue at first. One of my friends’ fathers had a commercial construction company and gave me a summer job as a helper. I liked the work and saw real opportunity in it, so I decided to transfer to UNF and major in Building Construction Management.

How has your company grown or evolved over the years?

We’ve been in business for over 55 years. Over that time, there have been periods of great growth as well as some down years. But in the last 10 years, we’ve grown an average of 10–15% per year. The industry has evolved tremendously during this time, and we’ve adapted to meet the needs of the modern construction site.

Where do you see your business headed in the next few years?

I see continued growth in our area, as well as an expanded footprint in the new markets we’re pursuing.

What do you hope your work says about your company?

My hope is that when we finish a project, the client we were working with says, “I want Abercrombie back!” I feel like our safety, quality, and performance are what stand out to the client.

What does “leaving your mark” on the built environment mean to you?

It means everything to me and to our company as a whole. It’s hard to drive around Jacksonville and not see a project Abercrombie has completed. It makes our entire team proud to tell our family and friends, “We built that,” when we see a building we were part of. It’s also very special to us that many of the projects we’ve completed help support the health, happiness, and education of our neighbors.

How does creativity or craftsmanship influence your approach to building?

Craftsmanship is the foundation of what we do. Our team must be skilled in their trade, or we wouldn’t be able to be the industry leader we strive to be.

What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned as a business owner?

Don’t jump to conclusions. There’s usually an answer or a reason why something happened—whether it’s what you want to hear or not.

What value has ABC First Coast brought to your business?

ABC fights for our values as a merit shop contractor. They bring a lot of value, but their ability to fight for our industry is by far the most important.

How has ABC First Coast helped you grow as a leader?

I have been involved with ABC First Coast for 12 or 13 years, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot over that time. Educational classes, both local and national, have been great, and the camaraderie with our peers and lessons learned from them have been very beneficial.

How did you first get involved with ABC First Coast?

I first got involved with the Young Professionals around 2013, and my involvement with the chapter has continued to grow each year.

What convinced you to join?

We have been members since the beginning of the chapter. I stayed involved because I believe in what ABC stands for.

What’s been your favorite part of being a member?

Learning how much ABC does for our industry.

How has your involvement changed over time?

Starting as a YP, I was involved about once a month, but over the years, my involvement has grown exponentially. I ended up serving as the BOD Chair in 2019.