Foundations

W. M. Jordan Company, Inc.

Founded in 1958 by W.M. “Bill” Jordan and Bob Lawson, WM Jordan Company has grown into a powerhouse of construction management and real estate development across the Southeastern United States. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, the company is known for its relentless pursuit of excellence, community investment, and a culture that values integrity, innovation, and people-first leadership. In this episode, we sit down with John Lawson, Executive Chairman and son of the company’s founder, to explore the history and stories behind WM Jordan. John shares how the company’s values and a strategy of continuous improvement-have shaped its evolution from a regional builder to a nationally ranked firm. He reflects on the leadership transition, the importance of empowering employees, and how WM Jordan’s commitment to community development continues to drive its success. WM Jordan’s story is one of resilience, vision, and generational leadership. John’s insights offer a rare glimpse into what it takes to sustain a family-founded business for nearly seven decades—and why the next chapter is just beginning.

S. B. Cox, Inc.

Founded in 1963 by Sidney Barbee Cox, Jr., S.B. Cox, Inc. has grown from a small demolition contractor into a trusted leader across multiple industries, including demolition, landfill operations, roll-off dumpster services, portable toilets, and ready-mix concrete. With over six decades of experience, the company has helped reshape the landscape of Virginia and surrounding states. Rooted in a legacy of hard work, safety, and customer satisfaction, S.B. Cox, Inc. continues to evolve through the dedication of its team and the power of state-of-the-art equipment, safely taking on projects of all sizes with unmatched precision and reliability. In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Barbee Cox, the son of the founder, who has continued to carry forward the legacy of his parents. Barbee shares interesting stories and insights about their journey, navigating the complexities of an ever-evolving market, the challenges they faced, and the innovations that have kept them at the forefront of the demolition industry.

MEB

For more than four decades, MEB has consistently delivered exceptional value to its clients, forging relationships based on transparency, integrity, and an unyielding dedication to excellence. Headquartered in Chesapeake, VA, with a regional office in Richmond, VA, they have strategically set themselves apart from many with the ability to self-perform a majority of their annual volume in a variety of market sectors and a willingness to take on the most challenging and complex projects. At the heart of their success, their core value, 'Family by Choice,' underscores their investment in and commitment to their people. Join me as I engage in a conversation with George Clarke, IV the founder and CEO, and David Ervin, the president of MEB. Listen in as they reflect on MEB's journey tracing back to their first project, a government contract worth $3,700, and George's first employee, his cub scout teacher. Witness how far they have come, and the trials and tribulations they've encountered along the way.

Wagman, Inc.

Established in 1902, Wagman, Inc. stands as a fourth-generation family-owned company with its headquarters based in York, Pennsylvania. The company, comprising subsidiaries Wagman Heavy Civil and Wagman Construction, specializes in general construction, heavy civil, and geotechnical construction services. Wagman Heavy Civil operates from offices in Pennsylvania and Virginia, engaging in diverse construction services across the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Regions. Their services encompass design-build projects, bridges, structures, highways, excavation, drainage, marine construction, bonded concrete overlays, grooving and grinding, as well as geotechnical construction services. Wagman Construction, Inc., a comprehensive full-service general contractor situated in downtown York, PA, serves senior living, healthcare, higher education, urban development, institutional, and industrial markets throughout Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.  On this episode I have the pleasure of sitting down with Lisa Wagman Glezer, the current, and more notably, the fourth generation leader of Wagman, Inc. Listen in as she shares the remarkable journey of the company that was started by her great-grandfather, George A. Wagman, in 1902. Central to their philosophy lies the "Wagman Way" – a set of intrinsic values and ingrained culture that spans four generations. These guiding principles have deeply rooted an enduring commitment to excellence, fostering generational employees and sustaining their lasting success and impact not only within the industry, but also within their communities.

Wayne Brothers

Over three and a half decades ago, brothers Keith and Eric Wayne set out to take control of their own destiny and launched a small concrete construction company. Armed with an unwavering work ethic, a backhoe and dump truck, and a mindset that wouldn't let a complex challenge or obstacle get in the way of progress, they quicky gained a reputation of a high quality, schedule driven, "can do" subcontractor throughout the Charlotte market. Today, Wayne Brothers is considered one of the most prominent leaders in concrete, industrial, civil, and infrastructure contracting in the southeast region.  Join me as I sit down with Keith Wayne and hear his and Wayne Brothers inspiring story and remarkable journey.