Company named to Gator100 list for fourth time

APOPKA, Fla. (March 3, 2020) – Many JK2 Construction employees got their start at the University of Florida. Now, the company has been honored for how far it has come by the university itself.

JK2 Construction was named to the elite Gator100 list for the fourth time because of its incredible growth.

The Gator100 awards, in their sixth year, recognize the 100 fastest-growing businesses in the world that are owned or led by alumni of the University of Florida. The list comprises some of the most innovative and successful businesses in U.S. and beyond.

“I’m incredibly proud to be a UF alumnus,” said Paul Holmes, founder of JK2. “I know what I learned there gave me the foundation to build my business, and UF gave many of my staff members the tools they need to do the work we do every day. To be recognized among other outstanding alumni businesses is truly an honor.”

The honorees are chosen and ranked based on compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over a three-year period. To qualify, companies must have been in business for at least five years and had revenues of $250,000 or more every year since 2016. From January 2016 to October 2019, a UF alumnus or alumna 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. Ernst & Young calculates the CAGR. Hundreds of companies apply for the honor each year.

“The Gator100 honors UF alumni from across the university who are founding and growing amazing companies around the country,” said Matt Hodge, Associate Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations at University of Florida Advancement. “It’s an incredible affirmation of the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Gator Nation.”

Representatives from JK2 Construction attended the awards ceremony in Gainesville on February 28, 2020. The company was ranked No. 61 with a CAGR of 35 percent, up from a ranking of 85 and CAGR of 29.46 percent last year.  

This growth reflects a record year in 2019 for JK2 Construction. JK2 saw its highest revenue growth since the Great Recession and its second highest revenue mark in its 33-year history. JK2 Construction also completed several banner projects for theme parks and national home builders in the last year and took home three Excellence in Construction awards from ABC Central Florida.

JK2 currently has several UF graduates in leadership roles, including: JK2 Founder Paul Holmes; JK2 Construction leaders Rick Amundson, COO, and Dan Shaffer, Pre-Construction Director; Office Manager Joan Holmes 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. 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 the Gator100, visit gator100.ufl.edu. 

About JK2 Construction

JK2 Construction, a family-owned company founded in 1987, has become a leader in the construction industry. The company specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity and time share projects.  JK2 Construction has completed projects throughout the nation, including work for major theme parks, themed restaurants and national home builders. The company is a trusted, respected and valued partner who builds with a creative project approach and has principal level involvement in every project. For more information, visit jk2construction.com.

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.

About JK2 Construction & Scenic

JK2 Construction & Scenic, a family-owned company founded in 1987, has evolved into a unique company combining two divisions of construction. The JK2 Construction Division specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity, resort hotels and time share projects. The JK2 Scenic Division designs and builds themed architectural millwork, custom props and fabricates specialty items for the retail, major attractions, entertainment, hospitality and restaurant industries. JK2 has completed projects throughout the nation including work for major theme parks, themed restaurants and national home builders. JK2 is a trusted, respected and valued partner who builds with a creative project approach and has principal level involvement in every project. For more information, visit http://www.jk2.com.

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.

About JK2 Construction & Scenic

JK2 Construction & Scenic, a family-owned company founded in 1987, has evolved into a unique company combining two divisions of construction. The JK2 Construction Division specializes in design-build, commercial, retail, entertainment, restaurant, industrial, amenity and time share projects. The JK2 Scenic Division designs and builds themed architectural millwork, custom props and fabricates specialty items for the retail, major attractions, entertainment, hospitality and restaurant industries. JK2 has completed projects throughout the nation including work for major theme parks, themed restaurants and national home builders. JK2 is a trusted, respected and valued partner who builds with a creative project approach and has principal level involvement in every project. For more information, visit http://www.jk2.com.