Professional Background

With over two decades of field-tested experience leading complex builds, mentoring teams, and delivering results that last. From founding and growing my own full-service construction company to managing high-profile corporate projects for Fortune 100 client’s, I’ve spent my career at the intersection of vision and execution.

I didn’t just study construction management — I lived it. I’ve been in the trenches directing residential and commercial builds, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, and coordinating teams from blueprint to ribbon-cutting. Whether it’s a 48,000 sq. ft. financial headquarters in Miami or a high-end client center in Palm Beach, I bring the same attention to detail, commitment to timelines, and obsession with quality.

My leadership style is collaborative, grounded in real-world experience, and driven by a clear principle: construction doesn’t get done by individuals, it gets done by teams that trust each other. That’s why I’ve always emphasized mentoring the next generation of builders, developing internal systems, and optimizing processes to elevate the people around me.

Today, I apply that same philosophy to teaching. I’m the author of Project Management Essentials: The Beginner’s Guide and the creator of training programs designed to break down complex construction principles for newcomers and seasoned pros alike. My mission is simple — teach what matters, cut through the fluff, and build the confidence people need to succeed in this industry.

My Early Foundation

My journey started at 12, working summers at a hotel, followed by a job at Nathan’s restaurant by the time I was 13. As young as that may be, working at a young age didn’t just teach me hard work – it taught me how to take responsibility, solve problems on the fly, and show up even when it wasn’t easy. Those early jobs instilled tenacity, patience, and a respect that has never left me. Through high school, I worked every day after school as a counselor and handyman at a private school, which is where I began honing my skills as a carpenter. By the time I graduated, I had launched my own handyman business. Not just learning how to build, but how to work with people, solve problems, and earn trust.

College wasn’t optional in my household, my mom made that clear, but I never saw it as a burden. I enrolled at the local community college, exploring design, drafting, and electronics courses. Those classes didn’t just sharpen my technical skills; they helped me figure out what I was drawn to: solving problems, creating structure, and seeing the tangible results.

After two and a half years at community college, I transferred to the University of Miami and declared a double major in architecture and civil engineering. Boy, was that a mistake, not the school, but the choice of degrees. It wasn’t wasted time though. If anything, it taught me what I didn’t want to do, which can be just as valuable. Interesting sidebar, while I was learning that lesson, I was also building a side hustle – literally. I started designing and constructing custom lofts for dorm rooms around campus, turning a small skillset into steady work and my first taste of running a real business. In my second year at U of M, I came across a program in Construction Project Management being offered at Florida International University, just a few miles away. It clicked immediately. I applied the next week and started the following semester at FIU. And to be honest, it was the first time I actually loved going to school.

The coursework was challenging, but it made sense. It was hands-on, real-world, and directly connected to the kind of work I already knew I wanted to do. My grades reflected it. Not because I suddenly became a genius, but because I was finally studying something I was passionate about. While I was at FIU, I decided to work over the summer and applied for a carpenter’s position with a general contractor in Miami. I got the job — $15 an hour as an apprentice on a three-story custom home in Coral Gables — and I loved every minute of it. Long days in the heat, sawdust in the air, and yes, a couple of trips to the hospital for stitches (twice, actually — if we ever meet, ask me about it, lol). That summer solidified what I already knew: this was the industry I was meant for.

The GC knew I was studying project management, so one day he asked me, “You want to run a job?” I thought he was joking. But he was serious — a Tenant Improvement buildout for a Flamers restaurant up in Altamonte Springs, Florida. He gave me three weeks to prep, and then I was on site for nine, driving home on weekends and soaking up everything I could. I finished the project on schedule, got asked to build another location in North Miami Beach, and completed that one too.

After that, the client asked me to travel the country to manage their national rollout. It was tempting — but I turned it down to finish what I started at FIU. I graduated with honors, a big deal for both me and my family. I wasn’t a straight-A student growing up. School wasn’t my thing. I was the B/C student who just did what he had to do. But this time was different — I was all in, and it paid off.

Right after graduation, I landed a role with Tarafa Contracting. It was a strong first step – my introduction to structured organization, hard budgets, and real-life scheduling. I was officially in the game.

After gaining that experience, I started to feel the pull to build something of my own. I wanted to take everything I had learned — from swinging hammers to reading plans to managing jobs — and create a company that reflected how I believed construction should be done: with integrity, clear communication, and real care for the work. That’s when I began studying for my General Contractors license.It took about six months of hard studying — and a retake on one section — but I stuck with it and earned my license.

Now that I had the license, the next question was: What do I name the company? The answer felt obvious. I put my name on it and stood behind it.

What started as a local contracting firm quickly grew into a full-service construction company. Over the next 18 years, we managed over 200 renovation and ground-up construction projects across residential and commercial sectors. I wore every hat — estimator, project manager, GC, client liaison, and learned the business from the inside out. I led a team of full-time staff, built strong relationships with subcontractors, and kept our standards high from demo day to final walk-through.

Eventually, I added a real estate division and began managing a portfolio of over 40 rental units. We didn’t just build — we maintained, improved, and protected those investments. Whether we were restoring a stadium or retrofitting space for high-speed infrastructure, every project was an opportunity to sharpen our systems and deliver better results.

This was my proving ground — the place where my field knowledge, business instincts, and leadership style all came together. It was never just about growth; it was about building something lasting.

After building and leading my own construction firm, I stepped into a senior leadership role with a global real estate and construction firm as an “Owner Rep”, where I managed high-profile corporate projects for one of the world's largest financial institutions. It was a fast-paced, demanding environment — one that sharpened my skills in large-scale coordination, budgeting, and executive-level client interaction.

For the past two years, I've brought that experience into my current role as a Senior Project Manager, overseeing complex construction projects from precon to closeout. I lead with the same mindset I’ve carried since day one — clear communication, strategic execution, and a relentless focus on delivering quality work that reflects well on everyone involved.

My educational resources are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this competitive industry. I encourage you to take advantage of these resources and elevate your professional journey. If nothing else, grab the free book to see if this is the industry for you.

- JB Wolff