H. J. High Construction
 | This article, H. J. High Construction, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
H. J. High Construction is a construction company headquartered in Orlando, Florida and licensed in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.[1] The Orlando Business Journal listed H. J. High as the seventh-largest local construction company/general contractor and 62nd on the Golden 100 largest privately held companies.[2]
History
H. J. High was founded in 1936 in Orlando, Florida by Harlem John High, a New York City brick mason who relocated to Orlando in 1935. Harlem John High ran the company until his death in 1968. He was succeeded by his son Steven, who served as the company’s president from 1968 to 2005. Steven W. High received a Bachelor of Science degree from Stetson University, an MBA from Rollins College and completed Harvard University’s Owner/President Management School program. He is DBIA-certified and a Certified General Contractor.
In 2006 Steven High became the company’s Chairman, with his son Robert John High assuming the President’s position. Robert J. High earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University, an MBA from Rollins College and completed Harvard University’s Owner/President Management School program. He is LEED accredited, DBIA-certified and a Certified General Contractor.
Prominent H. J. High clients include Walt Disney World, Lockheed Martin,[3] Mitsubishi Power Systems America,[4][5] Orange County (FL) Convention Center, First Baptist Church of Orlando,[6] Indian River State College[7][8] and National Distribution Centers.[9]
Operations
H. J. High Construction specializes in general contracting, pre-construction services, design-build, construction management and preventative maintenance services for education, religious, industrial and commercial facilities.
Industries segments include:
- Commercial
- Construction Management
- Distribution
- Education
- Food & Beverage
- Green Building
- Manufacturing
- Public-Private Partnerships
Since its founding, H. J. High has successfully completed nearly 1,000 projects ranging from $100,000 to $100 million and has not been involved in litigation of any kind.[5] In the workplace safety category, the company’s .85 Workers’ Compensation Experience Modifier Rate (EMR) is approximately four times lower than the 2010 private industry rate of 3.5.[10]
Community involvement
Consistent with its mission to revitalize and develop the communities it serves, H. J. High is actively involved in numerous community organizations and local nonprofits. These efforts are employee driven, with employees recommending and choosing the organizations they wish to assist. Assistance comes in the form of hands-on work performed on prescribed charity workdays. The H. J. High office closes on these days so employees may participate and contribute. The charitable organizations H. J. High has assisted include:
- Camp Boggy Creek
- Center for Independent Living
- Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
- Florida United Methodist Children’s Home
- Grace Medical Home
- Habitat for Humanity
- Hailey’s Hopes & Hugs Foundation
- Pet Rescue by Judy
- Quest, Inc./Camp Thunderbird
- Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
- The Nature Conservancy’s Oyster Reef Restoration Program
- The Russell Home for Atypical Children in South Orlando
- The Sunshine Foundation
Recognition and awards
During its 76 years in business, H. J. High has received many industry awards including Excellence in Safety awards and Excellence in Construction awards from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC); Outstanding Craftsmanship awards from Construction Industry Council of Central Florida; Exceptional Craftsmanship Awards from Central Florida Builders Exchange and more.
In 1961, the company helped prepare Cape Kennedy for the historic Apollo moon landing program, receiving an Award of Merit for work excellence from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[8]
In 2011 The City of Orlando and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer proclaimed October 21 “H. J. High Construction Company Day”. This recognition honored the company’s 75th anniversary along with milestones such as H. J. High’s introduction of Construction Management-at-Risk services to Central Florida.[11]
References
- ^ Gager, Russ: “H. J. High Construction” (http://www.construction–today.com//index.php/sections/industrial.93-hj-high-construction) www.construction–today.com, August 11, 2011
- ^ "italic"Orlando Business Journal"italic" 2012 Book of Lists
- ^ Petersen, Chris: “Building a Better Orlando” "italic"Construction Today Quarterly"italic", Fall 2006
- ^ “Where The Wind Blows” "italic"Construction Executive"italic", February 2009
- ^ a b “Batson–Cook, H. J. High Joint Venture for Mitsubishi Power Systems Project” (http://southeast.construction.com/southeast_construction_news/2010/0301_MitsubishiPowerSystemsProject.asp) www.southeast.construction.com
- ^ Doyle, Kevin: “H. J. High Construction: A company you can trust” (http://www.businessreviewusa.com/reports/h-j-high-construction)
- ^ “Building high” "italic"Orlando Business Digest"italic", Feb. 20–26, 1998
- ^ a b Petersen, Chris: “ H. J. High Is Riding High” "italic"Construction Today Quarterly"italic", Winter 2007
- ^ Alex Finkelstein: “National players planning to build bulk warehouse on Landstreet Road” "italic"Orlando Business Journal"italic", Jan. 31–Feb. 6, 1997
- ^ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor: News release, October 20, 2011
- ^ City of Orlando Proclamation, October 21, 2011