Jamie Franks Archives - Atlanta Design & Build Remodeling Blog

Atlanta Design & Build’s production team joined 100 registered attendees at the 2016 Cutting Edge Educational Remodeling Expo presented by NARI Atlanta on May 11 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Victoria Downing, president of Remodelers Advantage, was the keynote speaker. This fabulous Expo also offered CEU educational seminars, an exhibit hall featuring 50 renovation vendors, interactive round tables, and a post session networking event. Remodelers Advantage team members and 30+ top industry leaders presented the seminars and round tables. H. Dale Contant started out the Cutting Edge in the morning. After attending and presenting at a WSB-TV lunch & learn Home Services Seminar, he returned as Master of Ceremonies in the evening. Quite a line-up of players sharing their skill and expertise!

Our production crew received six CEU credits for their attendance at the Cutting Edge. Each team member came to the event with notepads in hand to write down “golden nuggets” that they gleaned from the event. Here are just a few: Continue reading The Atlanta Design & Build Team at The Cutting Edge 2016 →

A Passion for Construction in Many Generations

Jamie Franks believes that his passion for the construction industry and his abilities are a part of his DNA. His grandfather built houses, and his dad built and installed cabinets. “Even though I didn’t grow up with my dad,” says Jamie, “In terms of our engineering interests we are as much alike as Twinkies.” So it makes sense that Jamie would eventually find himself working full time in the construction industry.

He grew up in a small town that didn’t offer many employment opportunities. During high school he worked part time as a diesel mechanic. After graduation, that job turned into a full daytime position, while he also worked part time in steel fabrication at night.

Five years later, having the desire for more education in the engineering direction, Jamie joined the Navy as a member of the Seabees Naval Mobile Construction Battalion. He built school houses for children in the Dominican Republic. It was heavy commercial construction, and he feels the education he received was worth it. After the Navy, Jamie got into insurance work. This job helped him transition from government to civilian life.

Jamie Franks: Working Up the Ladder at Atlanta Design & Build

In 2001 he heard about a job opening at Atlanta Design & Build and he went for an interview. He was very impressed with Dale Contant and decided he wanted to work for him, even though it would mean a cut in his salary. He started out as a Helper on a three-person team primarily building decks. After two years, he became the Punch Guy because he could fix anything. Later he started running jobs as a Project Manager, and today he is Production Manager overseeing all the ADB projects. Continue reading Celebrating 15 Years with Jamie Franks →