ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., October 16, 2026 — Jaynes Corporation, one of the largest commercial general contractors serving the American Southwest, is celebrating its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of construction, community development and partnerships across the region.
Founded in Albuquerque in 1946 as a small concrete company, Jaynes has grown into a 100% employee-owned business delivering facilities that serve communities throughout the Southwest. Its projects span education, healthcare, public safety, housing, recreation and other essential sectors.
The company is marking the milestone with a gathering at its Albuquerque corporate office, bringing together employee-owners, clients, architects, engineers, subcontractors, business partners, vendors, former company leaders and invited public officials.
For Jaynes, the anniversary is not only a celebration of its construction legacy but also a recognition of the people and relationships that have sustained the company through eight decades of growth.
“Eighty years is humbling. I reflect on the projects, communities, and people who made that happen, and I’m inspired,” said Shad James, president and CEO of Jaynes Corporation, who has been with the organization for 31 years.
“This anniversary belongs to the people who built Jaynes and the clients and partners who trusted them,” James said. He added that the company aims to honor its legacy by creating opportunities for the next generation, honoring its commitments and building facilities that communities will depend on for years to come.
Construction That Serves Communities
Jaynes’ work can be seen in public facilities and institutions that support everyday life across New Mexico.
At Farmington High School, the company built and renovated spaces for academics, athletics and the arts while the campus remained operational. The project reflects the challenges of upgrading educational infrastructure while minimizing disruption to students and school activities.
In Artesia, Jaynes has contributed to several community facilities, including the Artesia Public Library, which provides reading areas and dedicated spaces for children and teenagers.
In Albuquerque, the company’s work on the Southwest Public Safety Center supports coordinated fire, police and community safety services.
These projects illustrate how commercial construction can extend beyond buildings to support education, public services and community engagement.
By delivering facilities used by students, families, public employees and other residents, Jaynes has established a presence in the communities it serves.
Employee Ownership at the Center of Its Legacy
The company’s employee-owned structure is a central part of its identity as it enters its ninth decade.
As a 100% employee-owned business, Jaynes gives its workforce a direct stake in the company’s future, connecting employees’ contributions to the organization’s long-term performance and development.
Company executives say the anniversary recognizes both the people who established its reputation and the employee-owners responsible for carrying that legacy forward.
“Our company was built through the hard work of those who came before us,” said Greg Krause, executive vice president of operations. He emphasized the responsibility of current and future employees to maintain the company’s standards of excellence and acknowledged the trade partners who contribute to its projects.
Krishna Reddy, executive vice president, similarly highlighted the importance of long-standing professional relationships.
“While we have built structures, our clients and partners have built our legacy,” Reddy said, describing those relationships as the foundation of the company’s 80-year history.
Jaynes’ anniversary comes as the company continues to focus on developing its workforce, strengthening partnerships and delivering facilities designed to meet evolving community needs.
The construction industry depends on collaboration among contractors, architects, engineers, subcontractors and clients. Jaynes’ leadership says maintaining those relationships, while developing the next generation of construction professionals, will be important to its continued growth.
Founded in Albuquerque in 1946, the company combines preconstruction planning with experienced field leadership to deliver projects across multiple commercial sectors throughout the Southwest.
As it celebrates eight decades in business, Jaynes is emphasizing continuity alongside growth: preserving the craftsmanship and relationships that established its reputation while preparing its workforce and business for future opportunities.
Its 80-year milestone ultimately reflects a legacy measured not only in completed construction projects, but also in the schools, libraries, public safety facilities and other community spaces that continue to serve residents.
For Jaynes Corporation, the next chapter builds on the same principle that has guided its history: creating places that communities can rely on for generations to come.
Founded in Albuquerque in 1946, Jaynes Corporation is a 100% employee-owned commercial general contractor serving the American Southwest. The company delivers facilities across a range of commercial markets, combining preconstruction planning and experienced field leadership.
