Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Tom and I have so much fun writing our column every month for our super cool, fantastic and glorious readers. We have had great response to our introductions of community partners, our essential and valued industry partners. So, this month, we bring to you another cool cat in the community – Jeb Johnson, owner of JEBCO Construction Companies, LLC. JEBCO Construction Companies was established in 2002 and offers a wide degree of projects, from new construction of commercial or residential buildings to remodeling and maintaining existing structures. With the main office located in Prescott, JEBCO currently serves all of Arizona and has diverse experience in a broad range of projects, including aeronautical universities, large corporations, medical offices, financial institutions, educational facilities, public facilities, mining facilities and custom residential homes.
Without further delay, meet Jeb Johnson. As a third-generation Prescottonian, Jeb started his construction career more than 20 years ago, working locally for general contractors where he mastered trades. He then broadened his knowledge and went to work in Phoenix, where he worked with some of the largest general commercial contractors in the metropolitan area. After years of experience in both commercial and residential construction, he obtained his Commercial Contractor’s License in Prescott and founded JEBCO Construction Companies, LLC, in 2002. Soon after he started JEBCO, Jeb obtained his Residential License.
With his extensive experience in the construction industry, Jeb has the expertise to manage a project from the early conception stage to the final product. His attention to detail, honesty and communication with his clients are just a few of the qualities Jeb has to offer.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird – way before the sun rises and, of course, with coffee.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
Jeb: My father-in-law, JT Purvis.
Sandy: And what an influencer JT Purvis is. The entire community – and universe – loves JT Purvis!
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
Being ethical and trustworthy, and because of these two traits, I have gained repeat customers and a loyal working relationship with our subcontractors and the construction industry near and far.
What was your first job?
Jeb: Running heavy equipment, from excavators, forklifts, wheel loaders, lifts, dozers and skid steers.
Sandy: So you are saying, Jeb, in your younger years, we could virtually find you seated on any type of heavy machinery. Do you still love to jump into equipment nowadays?
Jeb: Next to my family, my employees, my community, my horses and roping, show me a loader or a grader or an excavator and I am all in.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had, and what did you learn from it?
Dishwasher. I learned I don’t want to be a dishwasher and that is my most disliked household chore.
What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?
Not taking the time to hire the right people in my early years. And hiring team-oriented personnel contributes to a smooth operation. My team is the heart and soul of JEBCO and I am one lucky man to be surrounded by these people.
What led you to this career?
I loved the construction industry and knew that was where I wanted to be, but I also wanted to own my own business. General contracting was something that didn’t require a huge start-up cost, because one can start small and then expand over time.
What energizes you at work?
The excitement of planning and bidding on jobs and envisioning the project and then being awarded the job after weeks of preparation. It is such a proud moment.
OK Jeb, I know you and your personality – share it with the world. What’s your biggest work pet peeve?
That is an easy one, Sandy. Gaps in trim work.
If you could add one thing to your company office, what would it be?
Jeb: A construction yard.
Sandy: I bet a construction yard full of heavy equipment and you probably would have the only key!
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
A land developer.
What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?
Jeb: Being with the family at Lake Powell. It is such a beautiful place and the relaxation is so enjoyable.
Sandy: I see a satellite office at Lake Powell.
What’s something you saw recently that made you smile?
Jeb: My beautiful wife, Jamie.
Sandy: Indeed, Jamie is lovely, a woman of substance, beauty, brains and this community is lucky to have her involved.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
Why wait until tomorrow what can get done today. JT Purvis.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Beer.
Sandy: Beer? What kind? Craft beer, organic beer, malt beer, brown ale, gluten-free beer, stout, bottled beer, canned beer?
Jeb: Sandy, just beer.
Sandy: I got it, Jeb, just beer!
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
World champion team roper.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Humorous, helpful, grumpy.
Sandy: Grumpy – no way, no how, not Jeb.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Clint Eastwood.
What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
Working around the house, or trying to beat my kids at ping pong.
If you could choose a name for yourself, what would it be?
It would be Jeb; why would you want to change a name like that?
If you could only eat one item for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A triple-decker toasted club sandwich with great tomatoes and crispy bacon on sourdough.
If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?
Jeb: Text, google, onX Hunt.
Sandy: Ok, for all of us that have no idea what onXHunt is, onX Hunt has been featured in Field and Stream, Outdoor Life and American Hunter as the best hunting app, hiking app, and GPS app for any outdoorsman or hunter.
What’s your favorite sport to watch and which team do you root for?
Football and, of course, the Arizona Cardinals
What’s one item you can’t leave home without?
Jeb: A belt buckle.
Sandy: OK, Jeb, how many belt buckles do you have? Do you wear a different one every day?
Jeb: I am not giving you any more info!
What’s one item you want to own that you don’t?
A 200-foot yacht to sail around the world.
What’s your favorite place to eat in town?
Fujiyama’s.
A big thanks to you, Jeb Johnson, of JEBCO Construction Companies, LLC. It is an honor to know you and work with you. To reach Jeb and his team, visit jebcocc.com or call 928-778-7976.
Thanks for stopping in and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you and of course sharing our industry partners with you. QCBN
Tom Reilly, Architect, Contractor,
Renovations 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com
Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040
Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 am/99.9 fm/95.5fm or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.
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