Building Beyond Bricks: Sheridan Construction

What does it take to build a construction company that thrives for over 75 years while maintaining a commitment to excellence, innovation and community? For Sheridan Construction, the answer lies in its people-first approach and visionary leadership.

Christy Kovac, president and CEO of Sheridan Construction, recently joined Show Host and President of Denim Marketing Carol Morgan on the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to share insights into how this 100% employee-owned firm continues to redefine leadership and innovation in commercial construction while staying true to its founding principles.

From Estimator to CEO

Kovac’s journey with Sheridan Construction is as impressive as it is inspiring. A Georgia Institute of Technology graduate with a building science and construction management degree, she was hired as Sheridan’s first full-time estimator after applying twice. Her persistence proved worthwhile as she grew the estimating department from a one-person operation to a team of three.

As the company’s leadership began planning for transitions, Kovac expressed interest in taking on greater responsibility. She was promoted to executive vice president in an interim role before becoming president in 2016 and adding the CEO title in 2020. Throughout this progression, she benefited from mentorship by company leaders Chris Sheridan Jr. and Ronnie Williams.

“The company was founded on three principles that were passed on to me and I continue to pass forward: taking care of the people who work for you, the people who give you the work and taking care of the community from where the work comes. When you do those three things well, the rest comes,” Kovac explained, revealing the straightforward yet powerful philosophy that has guided the company through decades of success.

Employee Ownership: The Secret to Sustained Success

What truly distinguishes Sheridan Construction from its competitors is its employee ownership structure. In 2016, the company became 100% employee-owned as part of a thoughtful succession plan developed by the previous owner, Chris Sheridan Jr. The employee stock option plan allowed for a smooth leadership transition while giving employees a direct stake in the company’s success.

According to Kovac, this ownership model transformed how the team approaches its work. When everyone has skin in the game, the commitment to quality, client satisfaction and community impact naturally follows.

Strategic Expansion Across Georgia

While Sheridan Construction’s roots remain firmly planted in Middle Georgia, the company strategically expanded its footprint to better serve clients throughout the state. With established offices in West Georgia and Athens, the company has plans to expand into Augusta within the next two years. Additionally, Sheridan Construction holds contractor licenses in all states bordering Georgia, enabling them to follow loyal clients wherever projects lead.

This expansion strategy helped the company develop and maintain multi-generational client relationships, with some partnerships spanning three generations of ownership and more than 50 years of collaboration.

The Design-Build Advantage

The design-build methodology is a significant component of Sheridan Construction’s service model. It offers clients a streamlined approach that eliminates the traditional fragmentation between design and construction phases. This integrated approach reduces miscommunication, accelerates project timelines and often leads to more innovative solutions as architects and builders collaborate from day one.

“It gives the client one point of contact for the project,” Kovac explained. “The client hires the contractor, and the contractor hires the architect to work as a team. So, it makes communication a little bit smoother.”

Community Involvement

The company’s commitment to community service is evident in its decades-long partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Sheridan Construction has contributed to numerous Habitat builds, donating entire houses for two milestone anniversaries. In one awe-inspiring feat, they completed a whole home 10 days after the foundation was set.

Kovac has personally been involved with the nonprofit organization for over 20 years, reflecting her belief in the organization’s approach to creating stability through homeownership. For her, the value lies in how Habitat for Humanity empowers families through participation rather than simply providing handouts.

Workforce Development

Sheridan Construction is actively involved in initiatives to develop the next generation of construction professionals. The company participates in skills challenges that introduce students to construction careers and provide hands-on experience in the field.

These initiatives focus on showing young women that construction offers viable career paths, which Kovac demonstrates through her leadership journey. She emphasizes that construction careers provide tangible rewards beyond financial compensation – the pride of creating lasting structures that benefit communities.

On the Horizon

Looking ahead, Sheridan Construction is focused on controlled growth and innovation while continuing to diversify its project portfolio.

“Chris Sheridan Jr. said often that he’d seen more companies go out of business by being too busy than not busy enough,” Kovac shared. “Try to manage the not-too-many yeses and a few no’s along the way when we’re pursuing projects, because you want to win them all, but you need to be able to build them all well.”

The company recently completed downtown Macon’s Otis Redding Center for the Arts. It was also awarded a contract for a new executive airport terminal shaped like a guitar—a nod to the region’s music history. It’s also involved in numerous educational projects at institutions including Columbus State Community College, West Georgia Technical College, Central Georgia Technical College, Albany State University, Augusta University, University of Georgia and Mercer University.

For more information on Sheridan Construction, visit www.SheridanConstruction.com.

Podcast Thanks

Thank you to Denim Marketing for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Known as a trendsetter, Denim Marketing has been blogging since 2006 and podcasting since 2011. Contact them when you need quality, original content for social media, public relations, blogging, email marketing and promotions. A comfortable fit for companies of all shapes and sizes, Denim Marketing understands that marketing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. The agency works with your company to create a perfectly tailored marketing strategy that will suit your needs and niche. Try Denim Marketing for size by calling 770-383-3360 or by visiting www.DenimMarketing.com.

About Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio

Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.

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