LEADING INDUSTRIES CONSTRUCTION, FOOD & BEVERAGE, INDUSTRY, LOGISTICS, RETAIL, UTILITIES NEW IN 2026
DAVID HELVESTON PRESIDENT AND CEO
ABC – PELICAN CHAPTER
David Helveston has a diverse educational background, earning a “triple crown” from LSU—a bachelor’s degree in finance, an MBA and juris doctorate. Before joining ABC’s Pelican Chapter, he received a National Workforce Development Award from the Construction Users Roundtable for his work in technical education. Helveston now serves as an advocate for nearly 400 construction companies and leads a team of skilled training instructors who educate more than 3,000 craft professionals every year. He also facilitates volunteer opportunities for ABC members, such as Build Your Future Day, which showcases careers in construction to thousands of high school students. RECOGNITION: He was recognized as a Business Report Forty Under 40 in 2020.
MILLER HILLIARD PRESIDENT & CEO
SURETY BOND SOLUTIONS
Since acquiring and rebranding Surety Bond Solutions in January 2024, Miller Hilliard has strengthened the company’s mission to serve construction firms across Louisiana and the Gulf South. Hilliard specializes in assisting contractors with financial statement presentation, market selection, rate structures and bonding capacity strategies. He currently serves on the Louisiana Senate’s Public Project Payment Task Force, where he advocates for legislation to help contractors receive faster payments on public projects, and is a member of the Louisiana Economic Development Bonding Assistance advisory board and the NASBP Small & Emerging Business Committee. Hilliard is deeply involved in community service, notably serving on the board of Maddie’s Footprints, a nonprofit organization supporting families who have experienced miscarriages or infant loss. EDUCATION: He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from LSU. INDUSTRY SERVICE: He served as president of the Louisiana Surety Association in 2024.
LEE JENKINS
PRINCIPAL
JB JAMES CONSTRUCTION
Jeffery James gained early experience working for his family’s business, T.L. James & Company in Ruston, and over several years successfully worked his way up to an ownership role. Today James is a principal with JB James Construction, a full-service heavy highway and bridge contractor based in Baton Rouge with satellite offices in Shreveport, Lake Charles, Lafayette and Covington. James has a passion for industry service—he currently serves on the board of directors for Louisiana Good Roads, and is active in St. Aloysius Church and St. Joseph’s Academy. James has also participated as a Silver Donor in the annual Soaring to New Heights benefit for the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Foundation. EDUCATION: He earned a bachelor’s degree in construction technology from LSU. FUN FACT: A section of Interstate 20 between Ruston and Grambling has been built or managed by four generations of his family.
SHANE KIRKPATRICK
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
THOMAS KADAIR
PERFORMANCE CONTRACTORS
OWNER & LEAD CONTRACTOR
PRESIDENT
KADAIR CONSTRUCTION
GROUP INDUSTRIES
Since Lee Jenkins joined Performance Contractors in 1994, he has helped it grow from a single office in Baton Rouge into a powerhouse operation generating more than $3 billion in revenue. He was a key driver behind several of the company’s pivotal moments. In 1998, he opened an office in Mobile specifically to diversify into the power industry. And in 2021, ongoing work with one of the nation’s largest power companies justified setting up Performance offices in its northernmost markets to date—Charlotte, North Carolina, and Evansville, Indiana. Jenkins currently serves on the company’s executive committee and oversees operations throughout the Southeast.
Thomas Kadair has several years of experience in large- and small-scale project management. He began his career as a superintendent with one of Louisiana’s largest and most recognizable homebuilders and was ultimately tapped to lead all the company’s large-scale developments in East Baton Rouge Parish. During that time, he oversaw the construction of more than 100 new homes, giving him a unique perspective and valuable experience with complex new construction, renovation and commercial projects. Today he leads all residential and commercial construction projects and oversees an experienced network of project managers, tradespeople, subcontractors and vendors.
Shane Kirkpatrick joined Group Industries in 1998 while still attending LSU and has since climbed nearly every rung of the company ladder, moving from laborer to project superintendent, project manager, operations manager and, eventually, president. A dynamic leader who knows the inner workings of the organization, Kirkpatrick oversees all facets of company operations, including estimating, purchasing, project management, safety, sales and marketing, workforce and business development, and job costing. He has also served as a board member for ABC Bayou Chapter, ABC Pelican Chapter and ABC National. Apart from work, his philanthropic endeavors align with Group Industries’ community commitments.
EDUCATION: LSU PASSION: Jenkins is a strong proponent of workforce development, overseeing programs that have “adopted” more than 50 high schools and 40 community colleges to provide craft training.
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JEFFERY BOND JAMES
2026 . THE CAPITAL REGION 500
OUTSIDE OF WORK: In his free time, you’ll find him running the LSU lakes, weightlifting or reading self-help books. PROUD PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Doubling company revenue for four consecutive years.
INDUSTRY SERVICE: Kirkpatrick recently served as president of the board of directors for Louisiana Associated General Contractors. EDUCATION: He holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management from LSU.