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188: Jay Connolly, President and CEO of Connolly Brothers, Inc.
When Jay Connolly stepped into leadership at Connolly Brothers, he became the fifth generation of his family to carry forward a construction firm founded in 1880. After nearly 150 years in business, the company is still shaped by the same forces behind its longevity: family ownership, trusted relationships, deep-rooted ambition, and a willingness to adapt as the industry evolves while staying focused on consistent, high-quality work.
In this week's conversation, Jay walks Rens through the history of Connolly Brothers, from its early work to its modern portfolio of commercial, industrial, and institutional projects. He discusses leadership succession, navigating the financial crisis and COVID, and why the company's next chapter is not about growth for growth’s sake. For Jay, the priority is consistency: delivering great projects, working with the right clients, and building a firm where people can advance their careers.
Jay also unpacks how Connolly Brothers developed its design-build model and why this delivery method changes accountability. With architecture in-house, his team can move information faster, reduce confusion, manage RFIs more effectively, and maximize alignment across teams. Jay explores the trust required for this model to succeed, highlights the importance of strong subcontractor relationships, and explains why humility is the first quality he looks for when hiring.
Covering succession, family business, leadership, hiring, collaboration, and technology, today’s episode offers a practical look at what it takes to lead a construction company built to last.
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