Celebrating Half a Century of Tenacity and Family Values
Fifty years in the construction game isn't just about laying bricks and pouring concrete—it's about enduring through economic downturns while planting deep roots in community and family. This ain't just the tale of Double Jay Construction out of Englewood, Ohio. It's a legacy, authored by sweat, grit, and relentless commitment.
The Blair Family: Cementing the Foundation
It all started back in 1976 with Double Jay Excavating. Fast forward five decades, and what you have is an empire of loyalty and family leadership led by the Blair family. Randy Blair, stepping in as a partner in 1980, became the captain steering this ship through choppy waters, pushing the firm into commercial, municipal, and infrastructure construction.
His son, Ron Blair, now stands at the helm. Worked his way up from the trenches, this isn't a desk job inherited by a silver spoon; Ron's put in the years and lived every layer of this beast. That's the charm here—the family's not just in the boardroom dictating orders. They're hands-on, involved in each bolt, beam, and project estimate.
Projects that tell a Story
If your only measure of success is profit, you're missing the point. Double Jay's legacy is wrapped around projects that breathe new life into places like Riverfront Park in Miamisburg—a $5.5 million revitalization endeavor that rolled out in 2024. This move transformed 7.5 acres into a vibrant community hub, complete with an outdoor amphitheater and much more.
Then there's the lengthy list from Sycamore Trails Park to Main Street in Troy. Each project isn't just an outcome; it's an imprint of dedication to enhancing communities, one concrete slab at a time.
Next Generation: Carrying the Torch
Here's where it gets interesting—keeping it in the family has become more than a mantra; it's a strategy. The third generation isn't just shadowing; they're cutting their teeth. Nikki Blair Gates, the HR and Marketing maestro, after flexing her skills in education, now ensures the family ethos is alive and kicking at Double Jay. Her son Evan Jones is the new blood, learning the ropes from ground zero.
Yet, it's not just about the Blair family—it's also about folks like Field Superintendent Kelly Long, who swapped teenage plans for a career that saw him ascending through ranks since the '90s. This place is stacked with loyalty and wisdom shared among the ranks, promising a future as solid as any foundation they've laid.
"I learned the business and management from Dad," Ron says, reflecting on his journey through the hierarchy. It's this kind of direct mentorship that keeps old school values alive, yet still welcomes new ideas and innovation from the upcoming generation.
The Pulse of Success: People and Principles
The magic here isn't in the cement trucks; it's in the core principles that never buckled under pressure—hard work, fairness, and relationships built to last like steel girders. Randy Blair's vision aligned profoundly with action, creating a workplace more family than factory.
As the cheers for their fiftieth anniversary echo, Double Jay looks less to the past and more to future horizons. Navigating the next fifty years with the same tenacity is the name of the game—a culture not just held by mere tradition, but animated by every handshake, contract, and employee journey.
A Legacy Built to Last
Ultimately, Double Jay Construction isn't just marking half a century like a notch on a bedpost; they're gearing up for a future where family, community, and construction intertwine even tighter. As Ron envisions, perhaps it won't be him in fifty years, but someone who shares that same DNA of integrity and ambition.
Here's the bottom line: As the skies of the Ohio valleys see another fifty, let Double Jay serve as a blueprint for enduring success, tied to people as much as projects.
