Celebrating 25 Years of Building What’s Next

ARTICLE SOURCE: John De Lay, Chief Operating Officer; Jeffrey Jepson, Executive Vice President; Chris Hilgeman, Senior Vice President; Chad Smith, Corporate Safety Director

Atlanta, GA – February 27, 2026 — Twenty-five years ago, Evans General Contractors began with a shared vision, a handful of passionate people, and an office furnished with folding tables and chairs. Today, we celebrate a quarter-century of growth, innovation, and partnership; a journey that has taken us far beyond our beginnings in Georgia into a team of close to 700 professionals across 9 offices, including Europe.

When Evans opened its doors in 2001, the mission was simple: build great projects that not only fuel communities but are delivered with integrity, expertise, and care. What started as a small general contractor has evolved into a leading design-build firm, providing solutions to ambitious goals in advanced technology, life sciences, manufacturing, food and beverage, distribution and logistics, healthcare, and corporate environment sectors.

Over time, we’ve expanded our reach, diversified our capabilities, and completed some of the most advanced facilities in the world. Yet one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to doing business and treating people the right way. “We are successful at Evans because we collectively value, respect, and treat our clients well. This includes everyone, not just those who make sales, but the entire company and beyond,” said Jeff Jepson, EVP at Evans. “Most of the time, we build that trust through the dedication and professionalism of our employees, who understand that relationships matter.”

Central to the approach is our people. The men and women who show up to work each day embody Evans’ core values: safety, integrity, quality, sustainability, teamwork, and innovation. Many have grown their entire careers here, helping us achieve a culture that feels like family.

Adapting and Innovating: Evolving with the Industry

The past years have brought not just important changes for Evans but also to the construction landscape. From the rapid rise of advanced manufacturing and life sciences to the growing demand for sustainable mission critical facilities, Evans has evolved alongside our clients. We’ve embraced technology advancements by expanding our in-house design-build capabilities, enhancing Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) teams, and refining our approach to complex, high-performance projects with the help of ACC, Hammertech, and other cloud-based construction platforms.

Industry-wide, this same period has changed “the way it’s always been done”. In the early 2000s, sustainability was rarely a primary driver, technology adoption was slow, and materials like concrete were largely treated as single-use. Today, sustainability goals, lifecycle planning, and material reuse are embedded into project planning from the start.

Safety has evolved just as dramatically. Decades ago, when Evans was first starting out, Safety was largely reactive and compliance-driven. Today, it’s proactive, data-informed, and built into planning. Digital hazard analysis, prefabrication, and virtual modeling help teams reduce risk before crews ever step on site.

“Early in my career, safety meant reacting after issues appeared,” shared Chad Smith, Evans Corporate Safety Director. “Now we identify risks in the model and planning meetings. That shift, from reaction to prevention, has changed how we build.”

The operational front has undergone a profound evolution in technology as well. John De Lay, COO, shared, “I began my career learning survey and layout with a transit, rodman, metal tape, and stringline, methods that required multiple people, significant time, and a high tolerance for inefficiency. As the industry advanced, we transitioned to total stations and 3D data collectors, which improved precision and reduced manpower. Today, 3D laser scanning, GPS rovers, robotic layout systems, and virtual reality allow us to model, measure, and visualize projects with unprecedented accuracy. This shift isn’t just about technology; it transforms how we plan, coordinate, and deliver work. Firms like Evans that embrace these tools build smarter, not just faster, making technology a core operational strategy and competitive advantage.”

Today, information flows just as differently as the work in the field used to. John also adds, “I remember keeping a handful of quarters in the trailer just to call the office from a pay phone, then came the “bag phones”. From fax machines to dial-up internet, each step sped things up, slowly. Nowadays, cloud platforms deliver updates, drawings, and RFIs instantly, letting teams make decisions in minutes. The challenge is no longer access to information but acting on it effectively.”

Resilience and Growth: Milestones Along the Way

No journey spanning 25 years comes without challenges. Evans has navigated market cycles, supply-chain disruptions, and unprecedented changes. Through it all, our adaptability and people-first approach have kept us strong. Evans was founded at a pivotal moment for industrial construction as mega warehouses were becoming mainstream in the United States, influencing the scale and complexity of our early projects. In 2021, we surpassed $1 billion in annual construction; a milestone that reflects our commitment to delivering projects that meet our clients’ goals safely, efficiently, and with lasting value.

As Chris Hilgeman, SVP at Evans for over 19 years notes, “We didn’t chase trends, we focused on understanding where our clients were headed and building the capabilities to support them. We positioned ourselves to adapt as the industry evolved.”

Over the years, this strategy has resulted in projects that set new benchmarks, lead industry firsts, and introduce pioneering technologies nationwide. Notable examples include the world’s largest indoor vertical farming facility at the time with closed-loop aeroponic technology; a first-of-its-kind biomass wood pellet manufacturing facility; the largest injection molding facility in the U.S.; the nation’s first permanent magnet and plasma cathode manufacturing plant; the largest greenfield chrome plating operation in the U.S.; major production fit-outs for the world’s largest carbon nanotube and isothermal forging operations; advanced glass, aerospace, and additive manufacturing facilities; and the first commercial-scale eVTOL production facility.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Team, Clients, and Partners

To everyone who has been part of the construction evolution spanning the last 25 years, including our people, clients, design partners, subcontractors, and friends, thank you for being part of our journey. Your trust, collaboration, and belief in our mission have built something truly special and have led us on a trajectory to keep pace with industry advancements.

Alongside that support stands a generation of professionals who committed their working lives to construction and continually improve how the work gets done. Your influence is felt in safer jobsites, smarter operations, and a more disciplined approach to building what continues to shape the industry today.

As we look ahead to the next 25 years, we bring with us lessons of the past and a renewed commitment to keep learning and doing what we do best: building strong relationships, exceptional projects, and a better future for everyone we serve.