Zach Moore Promoted to Sr. Vice President, Commercial

 

Caddell Construction is pleased to announce that Zach Moore has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Commercial. He will continue to lead operations for his specific markets and clients in Caddell’s ongoing efforts to earn repeat business.

Zach joined Caddell eight years ago as a Senior Project Manager and has held the roles of Director of Operations and Vice President before being promoted to Senior Vice President. He has played a key role in expanding the Commercial business unit and has been directly responsible for over $1 billion of profitable work.

Zach was instrumental in establishing Caddell’s Bentonville office and leads operations for the commercial clients and teams under his purview. He has nearly 15 years of experience managing projects through the entire construction life cycle, including winning bids, preconstruction services, scheduling, budgeting and closeout activities. He is known for a proven ability to build high-performing teams that clients ask for by name. He earned a B.S. in Construction Management from the University of North Florida and is very active in local communities throughout northwest Arkansas.

Zach serves on the Board of Directors for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Police Athletic League. He is also a member of the John Brown University Construction Advisory Board and Northwest Arkansas Community College Construction Advisory Board.

Caddell Construction Announces Three New Presidents

Caddell Construction has announced three key promotions among senior leadership. Ricky Byrd, Isaac Sneeringer and Stephen Strickland have been promoted to presidents of the company’s three distinct business units.

 

According to President and Chief Executive Officer Mac Caddell, the new positions are the next step in Caddell’s plan for steady growth. “Our intentional diversification efforts in recent years have paid off, and this announcement is a reflection of that well-balanced business plan,” he said. “While we will always be one Caddell, doing business ‘the Caddell way,’ having distinct presidents over each business unit will help ensure future growth and collective success for the whole company, while giving us a wider range of opportunity for our greatest asset—our people.”

 

Ricky Byrd has been promoted to President – Commercial.

Byrd joined Caddell in 2017 to launch the Commercial business unit out of the first corporate branch office in Bentonville, AR. The Commercial team has experienced exponential growth under his leadership, including establishing three more branch offices in Atlanta, GA, Jacksonville, FL and Phoenix, AZ that support the growing business unit.

 

“Ricky’s ability to maintain focus on target clients while staying flexible enough to adjust to changing markets has created a business unit that is incredibly agile,” Caddell said. “Coupled with his strategy to provide client-based teams that minimize learning curves for our staff while maximizing the potential for repeat business has us poised for exponential growth in the commercial sector in the very near future.”

 

Byrd earned a B.S. in Construction Management from the University of North Florida and an M.B.A. from Georgia Southern University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Associated General Contractors of Arkansas. Byrd and his family are very involved in the Northwest Arkansas community, where his wife, Mandi, serves as president of the Bentonville School District PTO.

 

Isaac Sneeringer has been promoted to President – International.

Sneeringer first joined Caddell’s International team in 2006 and helped the company construct successful projects in Nepal, Mexico, Bosnia, Dominican Republic, The Netherlands and India. He has physically lived and operated in 27 countries over his career and has provided proven onsite and executive management expertise to some of the most challenging projects in the world. His capabilities highlight success in managing complex teams involving diverse cultures, personnel, subcontractors, design professionals and clients.

When he was assigned to the corporate headquarters and promoted to vice president in 2022, Sneeringer began preparing to lead the International business unit as part of Caddell’s strategic succession plan. “Isaac has worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless transition for our employees, our clients and our strategic partners after his predecessor’s retirement,” Caddell said. “In addition to continuing to pursue and win a remarkable amount of new State Department work this year, he has accepted the challenge to diversify within the business unit. Under his capable leadership, we are now pursuing a wide variety of new global opportunities, and future growth is very promising.”

Sneeringer completed professional level coursework in construction project management and became a Stanford Certified Project Manager through Stanford University in 2016. He and his family are active philanthropists and avid supporters of the arts.

 

Stephen Strickland has been promoted to President – Governmental.

Strickland joined Caddell in 2008 and was promoted to vice president in 2018 and senior vice president – governmental in 2021. His experience includes project management roles in the field and operations leadership responsibilities at the corporate headquarters office. Special areas of emphasis have included strategic planning, significant technology upgrades and managing through change.

 

“Stephen has been integral to Caddell’s growth and success in every role he has undertaken. His leadership of the Governmental business unit since early 2021 has completely transformed it,” Caddell said. “He is consistently looking for ways to evolve our fundamentals and continuously improve our processes and procedures, and he has concentrated Governmental’s efforts on pursuits and markets that align with our business plan and make sense for steady growth into the future.”

 

Strickland earned a B.S. in Building Construction from Auburn University and is accredited in LEED AP Building Design + Construction. He has earned additional certifications through industry organizations, including soil and water conservation, and building information modeling (BIM). Strickland serves on the Board of Directors for the Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama. He is a devoted family man and active in his kids’ sporting teams.

 

Caddell summarized the promotions in an internal email to employees by saying, “Let me be clear. We are not becoming three separate companies. While each business unit enjoys a certain level of autonomy, we are still one Caddell Construction. These strategic promotions position us to continue to grow and evolve. Just as importantly, they expand future opportunities for more employees. They allow us to continue our steady growth in a healthy, manageable, sustainable way. Simply put, they reinforce our commitment to The Caddell Way of executing our business.”

Jamie Dorland Named Vice President, Commercial, at Caddell Construction

Caddell Construction proudly announces the promotion of Jamie Dorland to vice president, commercial. Based in the company’s Bentonville, Arkansas office, Jamie will focus on continuing the team’s growth nationwide through client-based teams that lead to repeat business.

 

Dorland earned a Bachelor of Science from Ferris State University and began his career as an intern with McCarthy Building Companies. He was promoted through the ranks before joining Caddell in 2021. He made an immediate impact as a senior project manager and was promoted to construction executive a little more than a year later.

 

As construction executive, Dorland helped grow Caddell’s automation group through profitable, repeat business. Under his leadership, the company became widely known as an industry leader in ground-up construction for automation, as well as retrofitting existing warehouse space for automation coast to coast. Throughout his career, he has managed more than $2 billion of work and shows no signs of slowing down.

 

“Jamie does not slow down. Ever. At all.” said Senior Vice President, Commercial, Ricky Byrd. “And I don’t think he ever will. He is wired to bring the passion and energy every day—to our teams and trade partners, and through his interactions with our clients.” Byrd said it’s that passion and drive that sets Dorland apart. “His high energy is contagious. He is a highly engaged leader, and an engaging person that you can’t help but like.”

 

As a vice president in the commercial group, Dorland will focus his time and energy into growing the company’s market portfolio and developing client-based teams, which have become the hallmark for Caddell’s continued success. According to President and CEO Mac Caddell, Dorland builds great teams because he is the type of leader people want to follow. “He’s highly motivated, and also highly motivational,” he said.

 

“In his short time here, Jamie has proven himself to be the kind of leader we need to keep growing. His energy, drive, passion and integrity align with The Caddell Way of doing business, and he’s a tremendous asset to our organization,” Caddell said. “When we talk about ‘constructing what matters,’ Jamie absolutely gets it—and he helps others get it, too.”

Honoring the Legacy of Service: Eddie Stewart Scholarship Established

In a heartfelt tribute to Eddie Stewart, retiring CEO of Caddell Construction, friends and colleagues have come together to establish the Eddie Stewart Scholarship. This scholarship not only celebrates Eddie’s remarkable career but also underscores his commitment to furthering education opportunities for students studying for careers in construction.

With generous contributions totaling more than $70,000 from nearly 90 donors, led by Caddell Construction, the Eddie Stewart Scholarship promises to be a beacon of opportunity for aspiring future construction professionals seeking to pursue higher education. Eddie’s dedication to excellence, integrity, and leadership has left an indelible mark on Caddell Construction and the industry at large, making this scholarship a fitting testament to his enduring legacy.

The establishment of this scholarship reflects the profound impact Stewart has had on those around him. Throughout his tenure as CEO where he served from 2012 until the end of 2023, he has exemplified unwavering dedication to his work and a steadfast commitment to uplifting others. Now, through this endowed scholarship, his influence will continue to inspire future generations of scholars to pursue their dreams and make meaningful contributions to society.

The Eddie Stewart Scholarship will provide deserving students with the financial support they need to pursue their educational goals. By alleviating the burden of tuition costs, this scholarship aims to empower individuals to focus on their studies and reach their full potential. Additionally, it serves as a testament to the values of generosity, compassion, and community that Eddie has embodied throughout his career.

Eddie has been active in the Associated General Contractors of America throughout his career and has served in leadership positions on the national and state level. In 2018, he became the first National President from Alabama in the association’s 100-year history, and he now serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the AGC Education & Research Foundation.

As Eddie embarks on the next chapter of his journey, his legacy will live on through the lives of the scholars who benefit from this endowed scholarship. Their successes will serve as a testament to the enduring impact of Stewart’s leadership, vision, and commitment to excellence.

Honoring the Legacy of Service: Eddie Stewart Scholarship Established | Associated General Contractors of America (agc.org)

Caddell Construction Announces New Chief Executive Officer

Caddell Construction announces the promotion of Mac Caddell to Chief Executive Officer. The announcement coincides with the retirement of Eddie Stewart, who held the role from 2012 until the end of 2023.

 

As a yearlong celebration of the company’s 40th year in business came to an end, Eddie echoed his previous comments about Mac Caddell and emphasized his personal joy and confidence in the decision. “I have watched the growth and maturity of so many leaders at Caddell,” he said, “and none has been more special than Mac. I truly believe he has a vision for the future of this company that will serve us well for many years to come.”

 

Mac joined the company as a teenager cutting grass and working in the warehouse during summer breaks from school. He learned the value of hard work and humble service firsthand through the sweat equity he poured into the business his grandfather had started in their family home years earlier. After college, he worked long hours in the field gaining experience in all aspects of construction management.

 

Since then, the company has transitioned from a small family affair to an employee-owned international success story. Mac’s career has steadily developed alongside the maturing business. He has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, both in the field and at the home office. He has directly participated in all project phases—from business development efforts and estimating, to direct hands-on planning and management of preconstruction and construction.

 

Mac has a B.S. degree in Operations Management from Auburn University and serves on numerous national committees and task forces industry wide. He was an inaugural recipient of Alabama Associated General Contractors’ (AGC) “40 Under 40 in Construction” Award, as well as an honoree among ENR Southeast’s “40 Under 40.” He currently serves as chair of the Federal & Heavy Division for AGC of America, as well as a member of the board for the national organization. He assumed the role of president for AGC of Alabama on January 1st of this year and also serves as a member of the board for the state organization. On a local level, he sits on the Montgomery, Alabama Chamber of Commerce Board and on the Board of Control for their Committee of 100.

 

When the news of Eddie’s retirement was shared with the employees, Mac applauded the loyalty and leadership he displayed through his many years of service to the company. “Eddie started in the house with my grandparents,” he said. “He knew what we could become, and he was committed to making it happen.” Eddie joined Caddell as a young estimator in 1983. Through the 1990s, he took on increasing responsibility in the roles of VP of estimating and then executive vice president before being named president & chief operating officer in 2004 and chief executive officer in 2012.

According to Mac, it was Eddie’s vision coupled with his deep sense of integrity and devotion that made him such a remarkable leader for Caddell. Those are qualities Mac will carry forward as he assumes the CEO role. “It truly is a special honor to take the helm of the company my grandfather founded and Eddie led with such incredible skill,” he said. “I will continue to lean on all they’ve taught me through the years to ensure their legacy and commitment to integrity, strategic growth and The Caddell Way remain the bedrocks of our culture.”

 

Caddell Construction Announces Promotion of Two Vice Presidents

Caddell Construction has announced the promotion of two new vice presidents. Clint MacDonald has been promoted to vice president / market leader – justice. Todd Roy has been promoted to vice president – international.

According to President Mac Caddell, the move is a logical next step in the company’s steady growth. “Our international footprint and project load in the justice market both continue to expand as we take on more and more of this type of work­­ across the globe,” he said. With the addition of these two new vice presidents, these key markets will grow even stronger. “They will have the authority and oversight to intentionally pursue, execute and earn repeat business in our sweet spot,” Caddell said.

MacDonald earned a B.S. from Troy University and is a LEED Green Associate and LEED AP BD+C. He began his career at Caddell in 2009 as an assistant contract manager and earned promotions through many roles, including project engineer, quality control staff, project manager and manager of operations support before being assuming his most recent role of construction executive in 2019. In this role, Clint was responsible for corporate oversight on some of Caddell’s most complex and challenging jobs. Senior Vice President – Governmental Stephen Strickland said the promotion was much deserved. “Clint’s commitment to The Caddell Way of doing business is evident to all he encounters. He is a natural leader, neither pulling from the front, nor pushing from the back. He comes alongside and finds a way to bring out the best in everyone he meets,” he said. “I know our justice work is in very capable hands.”

 

Roy, who will remain on site at his current project in Europe, has more than 20 years of construction experience, including both governmental and private construction markets. With a degree from Auburn University’s School of Architecture, his distinguished tenure includes project management experience all over the world. Todd has managed construction contracts for Caddell’s Department of State Embassy projects in Athens, Greece, Moscow, Russia and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. His experience also includes projects for the United States Corps of Engineers (barracks and commissaries), Navy headquarters projects, private commercial high-rise structures, banks and multi-family projects. “Todd’s wealth of experience is a huge asset for Caddell,” said Senior Vice President – International Rod Ceasar. “Having someone with his caliber of expertise and leadership skills on that side of the world will be of great benefit, not only to Caddell, but to our clients as well.”

Caddell Opens Fifth Corporate Office – Phoenix, AZ

Caddell Construction, a leading global general contractor offering a comprehensive menu of project management and construction services for commercial and government clients, announced today the hiring of industry veteran Brian Sheehan as head of the company’s new Phoenix office, marking the latest chapter in Caddell’s ongoing national expansion.

 

Sheehan will assume the role of Construction Executive and joins the company after spending the last six years in the public sector as design and construction division manager for Maricopa County. Caddell’s Phoenix office will serve as the operating hub for the U.S. Western region, which currently encompasses more than eight million square feet of active project work ($2 billion) spread across four states. The company is presently working on or pursuing projects in multiple markets, including aviation, logistics, speculative and build-to-suit industrial, data centers, K-12, higher education, and state and local government.

 

Over the last six years, Sheehan earned a reputation as a fast-riser and proven problem solver while managing an annual budget of $250 million across nearly 300 properties for one of America’s fastest growing counties. Despite ongoing challenges with material shortages and pricing volatility, Sheehan successfully guided numerous capital projects across the finish line by quickly adapting to rapidly changing market conditions while leveraging his relationships across the community. Some of his notable achievements at Maricopa County included leading a $75 million renovation of the downtown Maricopa County Administration Building, a 109,000-square-foot new building expansion for the Southeast Regional Justice Center in Mesa, and a $100 million adaptive reuse of the abandoned jail on Madison Street in downtown Phoenix, which was repurposed into office space that now houses more than 900 employees working for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

 

“Brian’s leadership credentials and accomplishments over the last several years speak for themselves, and we are thrilled to have him at the helm in Phoenix as Caddell prepares to launch its next phase of growth in the Western U.S.,” said Mac Caddell, president and COO of Caddell Construction. “During his time with Maricopa County, Brian organized and managed a wide variety of multifaceted projects that enabled him to see through the lens of both a general contractor and project owner. That versatility and unique insight is more relevant than ever in today’s marketplace, and we look forward to watching Brian apply his talents across our portfolio as we construct what matters for our present and future clients in the region.”

 

The opening of the Phoenix office coincides with a surge of new growth at Caddell, with the company generating more than $2.75 billion in project revenue across its entire portfolio since the beginning of 2020. Significant growth has occurred within Caddell’s logistics and manufacturing markets over that time, and Caddell has emerged as a key industry leader nationwide poised to capitalize on local pent-up demand. According to a recent report from Cushman & Wakefield, Phoenix’s industrial market ranks second nationally in construction activity, with 47.5 million square feet of projects currently underway. More than 81 million square feet of new industrial product has delivered over the last five years.

 

“It is a great honor to join the talented team of professionals at Caddell and build on our shared commitment to the long-term success of employees, clients and strategic partners. I believe the client-focused solutions that the company is known for are directly linked to the firm’s recent wave of growth,” said Sheehan. “The current environment requires general contractors to think outside the box and develop holistic strategies that enable project owners to stay ahead of the curve and within budget. My knowledge of the local landscape and existing network of contacts in Metro Phoenix will be helpful for achieving our short- and long-term goals, and I look forward to hitting the ground running as the new office launches operations. I know great things are in store as we continue to build the local team and expand our client base across the region.”

 

Projects in Caddell’s Western region portfolio include construction of a 2.5 million-square-foot fully automated distribution center in Metro Dallas, multiple terminal renovations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, construction of a new courthouse in El Paso, as well as retail, office, and mission-critical facilities in Albuquerque, and multiple infrastructure projects for the U.S. government in California and Arizona.

 

A graduate of the University of Florida and a LEED Accredited Professional, Sheehan began his construction career in the early 2000s and worked for a variety of general contractors before relocating to Phoenix in 2017. “My family and I fell in love with this area immediately, and we are excited to continue contributing to the economy and community in this new role,” he said. Sheehan has partnered on community goodwill initiatives with groups such as Ronald McDonald House and Rebuilding Together, and was also previously involved with the University of Florida’s Building Construction Alumni Association.

Caddell Construction Announces Promotions Among Commercial Team Leaders

Caddell Construction has announced the promotion of two key leaders in the company’s growing commercial group. Jason Carnes and Zach Moore have each been promoted to vice president – commercial.

According to Senior Vice President – Commercial Ricky Byrd, the move aligns with the company’s strategic approach to earn repeat business from key clients. “Everything from our project team selection, to training, even hiring our staff—it’s all tailored to the specific clients we serve,” he said. “Zach and Jason will lead operations for their specific markets and clients in support of those ongoing efforts.”

 

Moore joined Caddell in 2017 as a senior project manager and was promoted to Director of Operations in 2020. Prior to serving at Caddell, he successfully held roles of increasing responsibility with F&G Construction, Elkins Constructors, Inc. and Walmart Stores, Inc., where he managed large project rollouts and company initiatives, including the 800 project rollout for Online Grocery Pickup in 2016. “Zach plays a vital role in expanding Caddell’s commercial group and has been directly responsible for more than $575 million of profitable work for Caddell,” said Byrd. “He is the type of leader people want to follow, and his ability to build high-performing teams is truly impressive.”

 

 

Carnes joined the company in 2020 as director of construction and established the company’s successful new office in Jacksonville, FL. Prior to joining Caddell, he served as a principal partner at Clear Constructors, LLC in Neptune Beach, FL and held positions of leadership at Urban Partners Construction and Elkins Constructors, Inc. Byrd praised his leadership qualities as contributors to his success. “Jason is knowledgeable about technical construction practices and has expertise only gained through experience,” he said. “But his real gift is found in his authentic interpersonal skills. He is a great leader and relates well with every level of stakeholder, from field to owner.”

 

Caddell President and COO Mac Caddell said the promotions are a logical next step in the commercial team’s steady growth. “Zach and Jason are a big part of the success we’ve had so far, and are absolutely critical to our future growth,” he said. “They both understand how to do business ‘The Caddell Way,’ and I have every confidence that our commercial teams will continue to thrive under their leadership.”

Remembering the Life of an Icon

With very great sadness, Caddell Construction announces the passing of the company’s beloved founder, John A. Caddell. Having recently celebrated his 93rd birthday, Mr. Caddell died peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, March 27, 2023. A nationally known businessman and philanthropist, he was a lifelong resident of Montgomery, Alabama. His legacy will live on, as the company he founded celebrates 40 years in business throughout 2023.

 

 

“There just aren’t enough words to describe the influence John Caddell had on the construction industry as a whole, said CEO Eddie Stewart. “He was an absolute icon, and someone we should all aspire to be like. His influence over Caddell Construction is evident every single day, and his guidance in my own life is impossible to overstate. I will truly miss him more than words can say.”

 

 

John Caddell was born in Montgomery on March 13, 1930, to Martin and Vivian Caddell. As a boy, he worked with his father in the family floor refinishing business and developed his first interest in construction.  After graduating from Lanier High School, he attended The Georgia Institute of Technology and in 1952 earned a degree in Building Construction. In that same year he married Joyce Kirby, which he often described as the best decision of his life. They were married for 66 years until Joyce’s death in March, 2017. A strong family man, John always credited Joyce for much of his success, including her role as a co-founder of Caddell Construction in 1983.

 

 

Answering an ad for a construction estimator in the Atlanta newspaper, John went directly from Georgia Tech to Montgomery to begin working for a firm named Blount Brothers. Mentored by Blount’s founder, Red Blount, he quickly rose through the ranks and was made president and CEO in 1969. He led Blount through the period of its greatest growth and profitability- from $67M to more than $600M in annual revenues. When he left in 1983, Blount was at its apex as a major international contractor, performing some of the largest and most challenging projects in the world.

 

In1983, Red Blount asked John Caddell (age 53 at the time) to retire from the company. This unplanned and heartbreaking parting of ways proved to be the catalyst for part two of John Caddell’s extraordinary career. Within weeks, John and Joyce decided to form Caddell Construction, initially working from their family home.

 

Building a construction company into a major international competitor is a singular achievement accomplished by very few people in the world. John Caddell did it twice. In just a few short months, he hired a talented pool of staff, chased new work and won the company’s first big contract. By 1985, multiple work trailers outside the Caddell’s home made it obvious that something had to change. After careful deliberation, he decided to build a “real” office and relocated to Lagoon Park in northern Montgomery, Alabama.

 

Caddell quickly emerged as a major player in domestic and international markets. In 1994, ironically, Caddell absorbed all remaining construction operations from John’s former company (Blount). Over the coming decades, the office at Lagoon Park was upgraded, remodeled and expanded time and time again as the company successfully won and completed project after project.

 

As Caddell’s successes mounted, John and Joyce continued to model a strong commitment to community and philanthropy. They were very active in a host of civic and charitable roles including establishing scholarships at multiple universities and, more recently, the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden at The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. The John & Joyce Caddell Building at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, was another example of his deep gift of generosity.

 

 

Historically rooted in projects across all sectors of the Federal Government, Caddell Construction expanded again in 2017, diversifying the company’s portfolio to include more commercial opportunities that have proven to be successful. Complex construction challenges that the company was known for translated easily into capabilities and opportunities in new markets. To support the steady, continued growth from these new markets, the company opened three additional corporate offices, including Bentonville, AR, Woodstock, GA and Jacksonville, FL.

 

In 2018, a multi-year transition from family-owned Caddell Construction, Inc. to employee-owned Caddell Construction, LLC was completed. John Caddell wanted the company he built to belong to the employees who helped him build it. Two years later, the company had again outgrown its space and moved the corporate headquarters from Lagoon Park to downtown Montgomery.

 

Today, few companies can match the depth and diversity of Caddell’s portfolio. “The work we’ve done over 40 years is mind-boggling,” said Stewart. “When I think about the sacrifices John and Joyce made to get this company up and going…and the continued sacrifice all along the way, I just can’t process that level of passion, talent and commitment. It is truly inspiring.”

 

Equally inspiring is “The Caddell Way” of constructing what matters. According to Caddell Construction’s President and COO Mac Caddell, the tenets outlined in the company’s culture statement are a reflection of the DNA of the company, first embodied by his grandfather and now a living legacy to the way he did business.

“It’s more than a set of words on a page. ‘The Caddell Way’ culture is paramount to our success and at the forefront of all we do,” he said. “It is the chief way we keep my grandfather’s legacy alive and what sets us apart from our competition.”

 

Displayed prominently at every jobsite and corporate office, brought up in nearly every meeting, and lived out in daily life all over the world, “The Caddell Way” inspires employees and recruits alike. It reads: “I am accountable for my actions, respectful and compassionate to others, unmatched in my work ethic, and a positive ambassador for Caddell. I am an important member of the Caddell team, committed to working toward Caddell’s mission by focusing on collective success, and embracing a culture of continuous improvement.”

 

According to Mac Caddell, the words contained in the statement are the best way to describe his grandfather. “He didn’t just inspire The Caddell Way, he truly lived it out. I am committed to seeing that legacy continue through the company that my grandparents —and so many others—worked so sacrificially to build,” he said. “His legacy will far outlive his 93 years on earth.”

 

 

Select Recognitions and Awards of John Caddell:

  • Founder of Caddell Construction, an industry leader with more than $16 billion in projects in 36 countries and every region of the U.S.
  • Nominated by Engineering News Record for their Construction Man of the Year Award
  • 1998 Recipient, Distinguished Alumni Career Achievement Award from the Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture
  • 2004 Recipient, Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama Cornerstone Award by Alabama Construction News
  • 2005 Inductee, Alabama Associated General Contractors Hall of Fame
  • 2012 Inductee, Alabama Business Hall of. Fame
  • 2014 Recipient, Tocqueville Society Award presented by River Region United Way for a lifetime of outstanding philanthropy and community service

Caddell Construction Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Caddell Construction celebrates 40 years in business today, commemorating when John Caddell filed the company’s Articles of Incorporation on January 27, 1983.

Caddell will mark the occasion with a small “birthday party” for employees at the corporate headquarters this afternoon. A more formal celebration took place at the companywide Christmas party last month. A year-long celebration will include looking back at “hall of fame” projects that helped ensure success, ongoing attention to corporate culture and a special “4 for 40” giving initiative where the company will present four local charities with $40,000 each to “construct what matters” for the local community in Montgomery.

Caddell Construction started in John and Joyce Caddell’s home following an unplanned and heartbreaking parting of ways with the company he’d helped build, Blount International, Ltd., where he had served as president and CEO for years.

Building a construction company into a major international competitor is a singular achievement accomplished by very few people in the world. John Caddell did it twice. In just a few short months, he and his wife, Joyce, hired a talented pool of staff, chased new work and won their first big contract. By 1985, every inch of the Caddell’s home was bursting at the seams with activity and organized chaos. Their growing staff worked out of bedrooms, the dining room and every other room. Their yard was full of temporary trailers with hard-working men and women pouring blood, sweat and tears into each endeavor.

The fledgling company had grown as big as the hairstyles that marked the decade. The Small Business Administration declared Caddell a “large business” in 1984, as the team continued to win project after project. And after careful deliberation, the decision was made to build a “real” office at Lagoon Park in northern Montgomery, Alabama to house the worldwide headquarters for Caddell Construction.

Chairman & CEO Eddie Stewart fondly recalls his days as a young estimator working in the Caddell home. “We had phone cords crisscrossed all over the house and blueprints laid out all over the bedrooms and on the dining room table. The energy and excitement for what we were trying to accomplish was palpable. We all felt it,” he said.

If “accomplishing” the building of an international business based out of Montgomery, Alabama was the goal, they certainly achieved it. By 1994, Caddell Construction acquired the remaining construction operations of Blount, and volume of new work exceeded $100 million. Just five years later, Caddell would earn its first $100 million contract. Throughout the 1990s, steady growth was fueled by success and hard work.

In 1998, the U.S. Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya were simultaneously bombed by terrorists. More than 200 people died, and more than 5,000 injured. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) immediately began to assess vulnerabilities at their current diplomatic compounds and rapidly developed a plan to design and construct new, safe, secure facilities all over the world.

An aggressive building program began, and Caddell was in position to strike while the iron was hot. Very few contractors can meet the strict requirements to even bid on secure work necessary for diplomatic facility projects. But Caddell’s previous DOS successes in Hong Kong and Istanbul were recent and relevant. On this their 40th anniversary, the Embassy portfolio sits at 39 projects valued at $7.4 billion. Just last year, Caddell won its largest contracts so far. On September 29th, the company was awarded the New U.S. Embassy project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a contract value of $673,853,330. The very next day, came another record breaker: the New U.S Embassy project in Juba, South Sudan, with a contract value of $590,468,330.

In 2018, a multi-year transition from family-owned Caddell Construction, Inc. to employee-owned Caddell Construction, LLC was completed. John Caddell wanted the company he built to belong to the employees who helped him build it. Two years later, the company had again outgrown its space and moved the corporate headquarters from Lagoon Park to downtown Montgomery.

Over 40 years, the company has earned a reputation for taking on complex construction challenges in some of the most remote places on earth, including building a power and desalination plant on Ascension Island and a secure Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan in the middle of a warzone. More recently, they’ve developed niche expertise in constructing for automation and are considered industry leaders in that market.

In 2017, Caddell expanded its presence into the commercial market, adding to traditional pursuits of Federal contracting and international diplomatic construction. To support the growth, the company has opened three additional corporate offices since then, including Bentonville, AR, Woodstock, GA and Jacksonville, FL. According to President/COO Mac Caddell, these diversification efforts have been very successful. “New work awarded for 2022 exceeded $2.6 billion. That’s without a doubt a new record for Caddell! In fact, it more than doubled our previous record for new work won in a single year,” he said. “Best of all, each of our three business units won at least four new projects, a true testament to the success of our diversification efforts.”

Few companies can match the depth and diversity of Caddell’s portfolio. “The work we’ve done over 40 years is mind-boggling,” said Eddie Stewart. “When I think about the sacrifices John and Joyce made to get this company up and going…and the continued sacrifice all along the way, I just can’t process that level of passion, talent and commitment. It is truly inspiring.”

Equally inspiring is “The Caddell Way” of constructing what matters. According to Mac Caddell, the tenets outlined in the company’s culture statement are a reflection of the DNA of the company, first embodied by his grandfather and now a living legacy to the way he did business. They are both descriptive of how the business is run and prescriptive for how each employee should carry out his or her individual role in the ongoing success story. “It’s more than a set of words on a page. ‘The Caddell Way’ culture is paramount to our success and at the forefront of all we do,” he said.

Displayed prominently at every jobsite and corporate office, brought up in nearly every meeting, and lived out in daily life all over the world, “The Caddell Way” inspires employees and recruits alike. It reads: “I am accountable for my actions, respectful and compassionate to others, unmatched in my work ethic, and a positive ambassador for Caddell. I am an important member of the Caddell team, committed to working toward Caddell’s mission by focusing on collective success, and embracing a culture of continuous improvement.”