Jonathan Westbrook, Chief Executive Officer, East & Westbrook Construction

July 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Jonathan Westbrook, CEO of East & Westbrook Construction, discussed the company’s growth across the Southeast, the importance of relationships and safety in construction, and the opportunities emerging across Tampa Bay. “Growth only matters if you can remain consistent in the things that we deliver to our clients,” Westbrook said.

What changes over the past year have impacted East & Westbrook Construction, and in what ways?

The past year brought a great deal of uncertainty in the economy. That was not unique to construction, but it certainly affected our industry. We saw fluctuations in financing through interest rates, changes in tariffs that affected supply chains, and shifts in labor availability and material costs.

Despite those challenges, we have continued to grow by staying disciplined in the industrial and commercial markets we serve. We invest in people, technology, and operational excellence.

The biggest trend we have noticed is that projects are not being canceled. They are simply taking longer to get started. Owners are working through what economic uncertainty means for their capital investments before moving forward.

Our 50 years of experience have helped us navigate these conditions. We have seen different economic cycles before and understand there are many ways to approach a challenging project. Tampa and the Southeast continue to be among the fastest-growing regions in the country, and that growth has remained resilient despite broader economic headwinds.

How would you describe the company’s position in today’s construction market? What differentiates your approach?

We build complex structures and do so through a relationship-based approach. More than 85% of our business comes from repeat clients because we are focused on becoming a long-term trusted partner rather than simply delivering a single project.

That relationship focus allows us to bring experience from multiple markets and share best practices with clients as they grow and expand.

Beyond relationships, our culture is what truly differentiates us. As an industrial contractor, safety is our highest priority. Clients want to know that when we are working in their facilities, we are not introducing risk and that people will go home safely every day.

We have received national and state recognition for our safety performance, but those results come from culture. Our team has to believe in those standards and hold one another accountable. That commitment is something clients consistently recognize when they work with East & Westbrook.

Where are you seeing the strongest opportunities and demand in Tampa Bay?

Logistics and manufacturing continue to drive a significant amount of construction activity in Tampa Bay. The reshoring of manufacturing has created opportunities, and the continued growth of e-commerce has increased demand for distribution facilities and related infrastructure.

Another major area of growth is mission-critical infrastructure, particularly the facilities and systems needed to support data centers and other technology-driven operations. That growth creates demand for electrical infrastructure, including substations, transmission systems, and power-distribution projects.

Healthcare also remains a strong market. We continue to see investment in healthcare facilities, whether through expansions, specialized treatment facilities, or new healthcare access points that help growing communities meet demand.

What new geographic markets or sectors are creating the most promising opportunities for the company?

We see opportunities across all the markets we serve, but the greatest opportunity continues to be in Tampa and throughout the Southeast.

The region continues to attract population growth, and infrastructure investment naturally follows that growth. Our ability to operate locally while bringing experience from multiple regions gives us a strong position in these markets.

We are excited about the long-term outlook because the demand for infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, and related construction services remains strong throughout the Southeast.

As the company grows, how do you maintain consistent quality, safety, and operational excellence across projects and teams?

Growth only matters if you can remain consistent in the things that we deliver to our clients. That is what they value.

We focus on developing systems, processes, and leadership structures that allow us to scale responsibly. We invest heavily in training, project controls, communication standards, and accountability throughout the organization.

Our goal is for every client to receive the same level of service regardless of which office or team they are working with. We want every project to reflect the same quality, safety standards, and relationship-driven approach that East & Westbrook has been known for throughout its history.

What talent challenges are you encountering, and how are you addressing them?

Workforce challenges are affecting nearly every industry, and construction is no exception.

One of the biggest concerns is the number of experienced professionals approaching retirement. There are simply fewer people entering the workforce than there are leaving it.

Our approach starts with culture. If you have a strong culture, treat people well, and maintain a good reputation, many workforce challenges become easier to address.

We are also focused on telling the story of the construction industry and the opportunities it provides. While a four-year degree is one valuable path, skilled trades offer another path that can provide rewarding careers, valuable skills, and meaningful contributions to local communities.

The people building infrastructure in Tampa can look at those projects for years to come and know they played a role in creating something important. That is a powerful aspect of the profession.

Technology is also part of the solution. As workforce demographics change, the industry will need tools that help people work more efficiently and accomplish more with fewer resources.

What are your key goals and priorities for the next three to five years?

We are very optimistic about the future, particularly in Tampa and throughout the Southeast.

The trends driving growth today, including manufacturing investment, logistics expansion, and mission-critical infrastructure development, are likely to continue. We expect those sectors to remain important drivers of construction activity.

We are also excited about the technological advancements emerging across the industry. New tools are helping improve quality, safety, accuracy, and efficiency in ways that were not possible before.

As those technologies continue to evolve, they will help shape the future workforce and create new opportunities for the industry. From our perspective, it is an exciting time both for construction and for the continued growth of Tampa and the Southeast.