Recently, JK2 president, Julie Holmes, was featured in the October issue of Construction Executive. In the VIEWPOINTS segment, Holmes shared an early career mistake she has learned from. To view the article see below, or click here.
APOPKA, Fla. (March 5, 2019) — One top Central Florida specialty construction firm is paving the way for more women leaders in the industry.
JK2 Scenic, part of the JK2 family of companies, was recently certified as a woman-owned and operated business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
The company is led by President Julie Holmes.
“This has been a long-term goal since moving home and joining the family business,” Holmes said. “Women-owned businesses are growing rapidly nationwide, and especially in Florida—but there is still a lack of women in construction. I’m proud to show that there is room for women to be successful leaders in the industry.”
Under Holmes’ leadership, the company has seen tremendous growth. JK2 Scenic started as a division of JK2 Construction. It spun off into its own, separate company, and Holmes, who returned to be part of the family business in 2013, was named president earlier this year.
The University of Florida graduate, equipped with a background in civil engineering and a solid understanding of corporate management, has seen revenues grow by more than 1,000 percent in her time with JK2 Scenic. The company’s growth and success in the construction industry has already led to a handful of accolades, including three Eagle Awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors this past year.
Holmes plans to continue this trend of prosperity by expanding JK2 Scenic’s client base outside of Central Florida, diversifying services and growing through responsible and strategic initiatives.
The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and serves as an advocate for women business owners. To earn the certification, businesses must be at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman or women. The organization works with regional partners around the U.S.
For more information about the WBENC, visit www.wbenc.org.
For more information about JK2 Scenic, visit jk2scenic.com.
About JK2 Scenic
JK2 Scenic focuses on building dreams and bringing unique construction visions to life in a creative way. The company specializes in themed architectural millwork, custom props and specialty items for retail, attraction, entertainment, hospitality and restaurant clients. Founded in 2008 as part of the JK2 family of companies, JK2 Scenic became its own company in 2017. Led by President Julie Holmes, the company has seen amazing growth and has been honored numerous times, receiving multiple Associated Builders and Contractors Eagle Awards and making the Orlando Business Journal’s Fast 50 list. JK2 Scenic provides creative solutions to uncommon ideas and has worked with world-class theme parks and national brands. For more information about JK2 Scenic, visit jk2scenic.com or call (407) 880-8400.
APOPKA, Fla. (Feb. 25, 2019) – The JK2 family of companies is ready for a celebratory Gator Chomp. Both JK2 Construction and JK2 Scenic were named to the elite Gator100 list for the third time based on their impressive growth.
The award recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses worldwide that are owned or led by alumni of the University of Florida. The list, which is presented by the UF Alumni Association, in partnership with the UF Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, is in its fifth year.
To qualify, companies must have been in business for at least five years and had revenues of $250,000 or more every year since 2015, or for the past three full fiscal years. From January 2015 to September 2018, a UF alumnus or group of alumni must have owned 50 percent or more of the company, or have served as chief executive, or have founded the company and served on the senior management team.
The honorees of the Gator100 list are chosen based on a company’s compounded annual growth rate, or CAGR, over a three-year period. The JK2 family of companies made the list out of hundreds of companies that applied.
“The University of Florida was an integral part in preparing several of our team members, myself included, to do the work we do in the construction industry,” said Paul Holmes, founder of JK2. “To be recognized for that work by our alma mater is an incredible honor.”
This is JK2’s third time making the prestigious list. Since JK2 Scenic was spun off into a separate company last year, this is the first year both companies made the list on their own. JK2 Construction was ranked No. 85 with a CAGR of 29.46 percent, while JK2 Scenic was ranked No. 70 with a CAGR of 34.34 percent.
As a combined company, JK2 was ranked No. 45 in 2017 and No. 72 in 2016.
Both companies have experienced an extraordinary amount of growth over the last few years. JK2 Construction has completed several notable projects at Universal Orlando Resort, the Orlando Science Center and several amenity centers for national home builders. JK2 Scenic has seen a growth in revenue by over 1,000 percent, and completed work at Universal Orlando Resort, Disney Springs and the Margaritaville Resort Orlando.
The JK2 family of companies has five UF graduates currently in leadership roles: JK2 Founder Paul Holmes; JK2 Construction leaders Rick Amundson, Vice President, David Ressler, Director of Operations, and Dan Shaffer, Pre-Construction Manager; and JK2 Scenic President Julie Holmes.
Paul Holmes earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in business, followed by graduate studies at the School of Building Construction. Rick Amundson received a Bachelor of Building Construction. David Ressler received a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. Dan Shaffer received a Bachelor of Finance. Julie Holmes was a Cum Laude graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and is a three-year letter winner of the University of Florida women’s swimming and diving team.
For more information about JK2 Construction, visit jk2construction.com. For more information about JK2 Scenic, visit jk2scenic.com.
For more information about the Gator100, visit gator100.ufl.edu.
About JK2 Scenic
JK2 Scenic focuses on building dreams and bringing unique construction visions to life in a creative way. The company specializes in themed architectural millwork, custom props and specialty items for retail, attraction, entertainment, hospitality and restaurant clients. Founded in 2008 as part of the JK2 family of companies, JK2 Scenic became its own company in 2017. Led by President Julie Holmes, the company has seen amazing growth and has been honored numerous times, receiving multiple Associated Builders and Contractors Eagle Awards and making the Orlando Business Journal’s Fast 50 list. JK2 Scenic provides creative solutions to uncommon ideas and has worked with world-class theme parks and national brands. For more information about JK2 Scenic, visit jk2scenic.com or call (407) 880-8400.
The ABC Central Florida’s magazine Building Central Florida recognizes JK2 Construction & Scenic for its University of Florida Gator 100 honor. Read the article in the May/June issue on page 12 here.
JK2 Construction & Scenic receives 2017 Gator100 honor
Company recognized among innovative Gator-led businesses for second year
ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2017) – JK2 Construction & Scenic has been named to the elite Gator100 list for the second year in a row based on its outstanding growth.
The annual Gator100 list honors the 100 fastest-growing businesses in the world that are owned or led by alumni of the University of Florida. This is the third year for the awards, which are sponsored by UF, the Warrington College of Business and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center.
To qualify, companies must have been in business for five years or more and had revenues of $250,000 or more in 2013. From January 2013 to October 2016, a UF alumnus or group of alumni must have owned 50 percent or more of the company, have served as chief executive or have founded the company and served on the senior management team.
Companies are ranked by compounded annual growth rate, or CAGR, over a three-year period. JK2 Construction & Scenic made the list out of hundreds of companies that applied.
“At JK2, we’re always proud to be recognized for our outstanding work,” said JK2 Founder and President Paul Holmes. “But being part of the Gator100 is even sweeter for us as proud UF alumni. Our outstanding education truly set the foundation for the success of our family construction business.”
JK2 was ranked 45 with a CAGR of 48.22 percent, up from number 72 in 2016. Both JK2 Construction and JK2 Scenic have experienced incredible growth over the last few years. JK2 Construction has completed several major projects at Universal Studios Orlando and several amenity centers for national home builders. Meanwhile, JK2 Scenic has grown revenue by 1,000 percent since 2013 and has recently completed major projects at both Universal Studios Orlando and Disney Springs.
JK2 has three UF graduates currently in leadership roles within the company: President Paul Holmes, Construction Division Vice President Rick Amundson and Scenic Division Vice President Julie Holmes.
Paul Holmes earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in business, followed by graduate studies at the School of Building Construction. Rick Amundson received a Bachelor of Building Construction degree. Julie Holmes was a Cum Laude graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and is a three-year letter winner of the University of Florida women’s swimming and diving team.
For more information about JK2, visit jk2.com. For more information about the Gator100, visit gator100.ufl.edu.
JK2 Construction & Scenic Receives 2016 Gator100 Honors
Prestigious honor recognizes innovative Gator-led businesses worldwide
JK2 Construction & Scenic has been named a 2016 Gator100 honoree due to its outstanding growth over the past three years. The annual award honors University of Florida alumni-led businesses demonstrating extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit and notable growth.
The Gator100, sponsored by the University of Florida, the Warrington College of Business and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, recognizes and celebrates the achievements of leading UF alumni entrepreneurs around the world. The Gator100 ranks the 100 fastest-growing, Gator-owned or Gator-led businesses each year – regardless of which school or college the alumni graduated from – recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit in all Gator alumni across the campus. More than 600 Gator-led companies around the world applied for this honor.
“As part of Gator Nation, we are extremely proud to be a Gator100 nominee, ‘’ said JK2 President and Founder Paul Holmes. “Our world-class education provided the solid foundation for our family construction business. The entire team is very blessed by the success and milestone growth in both our construction and scenic divisions.’’
JK2 was ranked 72 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.35%. A few of the important projects completed in the past year by JK2’s Construction Division include the new NBC Media Lab at Universal Studios Orlando, renovation at the Dolphin Hotel, as well as several design-build community clubhouses for national home builders. JK2 Scenic, which provides themed architectural millwork, custom props and fabricates specialty items continues strengthening relationships with area attractions, resorts and restaurants. JK2 Scenic projects included Florida locations for the Cinépolis movie theater chain, various projects at Universal Studios Orlando and custom millwork and props for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ™ at Universal Studios Hollywood. JK2 also completed a major retail assignment at Disney Springs.
JK2 has three UF graduates currently in leadership roles within the company: President Paul Holmes, LEED AP, VP/Construction Division Manager Rick Amundson and VP/Scenic Division Manager Julie Holmes, P.E., LEED AP.
Paul Holmes earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business, followed by graduate studies at the School of Building Construction. Rick Amundson received a Bachelor of Building Construction degree. Julie Holmes was a Cum Laude graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and is a three-year letter winner of the University of Florida women’s swimming and diving team.