

ABOUT US
At LJ Companies, hard work, dedication, and integrity are the foundation of our business. We have a passion for construction and thoroughly enjoy organizing the people and processes that yield high-quality, on-time and on-budget commercial construction projects.
LEADERSHIP
Robb James
Robb is a born leader and visionary whose passion for construction started at a very young age. He began his career as a Project Manager where he managed many high-profile retail, school, & public university projects including the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Performing Arts Center. He expanded his construction industry experience being a partner in a Construction Management firm where he was instrumental in the construction of the first LEED Gold-Certified car dealership in the country. He went on to launch a multi-million dollar General Construction division where he added many more years of experience managing large retail, industrial, and institutional work as well as numerous projects in the hospitality sector.
With construction always being a team effort, the greatest joy he receives is from partnering with the people who put work in place - from the client initiating the project, to design teams, to the office, field and trade partners who make it happen - Robb loves working shoulder-to-shoulder with each person involved even when things get hard. His tenacity and problem-solving skills protect the integrity and execution of each project.
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Graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1998 with a BS in Construction Management Technology
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LEED Accredited Professional since 2008
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Serves on the Dallas College Industry Advisory Board for Construction Management and served as President in 2021 & 2022
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Serves on the Nexus Recovery Center Foundation Board of Directors
Robb has been married to his wife, Jodi, since 2010, and has two children, Carly and Wade.
Chad James
Chad began his career in Account Management at the largest petroleum pipe distributor in the United States. Here, he was able to put his organizational, time management and interpersonal skills to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. He was part of a team that managed a significant portfolio of business with duties that spanned the entire sales and distribution process including making the initial sale, coordinating logistics, and overseeing billing. He also negotiated and monitored product, freight, and other various costs, giving him diverse business experience that he was able to transfer to the construction industry.
Chad is proficient, in fact, at managing logistics, scheduling and forecasting to ensure commercial construction projects stay on track. He provides pre-construction and operational leadership yet still thrives on the details of the work.
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Graduated from the University of Texas At Arlington in 2006 with a BBA in Finance
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Serves as Board President for The Gathering Well, a Bible Study curriculum and coaching non-profit organization
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Serves at Doxology Bible Church and mentors men in life recovery programs
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Manages annual charity clay shoots benefiting a local children’s charity
Chad has been married to his wife, Blake, since 2007 and has one son, Seth.
Jennifer Kirkley-Venz
Jennifer began reading blueprints as a teenager, where she would do takeoffs for her family’s door and hardware business. After college, she began her career in Account Management for a logistics firm and then took on a larger role at a technology company, where she fostered relationships with executive hospital staff members while implementing CTRM (critical test result management) systems integral to their daily operations. After missing the industry, she then sought out a position with a residential General Contractor. There, she not only built and remodeled homes, but also developed and managed deep relationships with clients and subcontractors. She saw the projects through from the bid process to completion. Naturally, commercial construction project management was her next move, and is where she evolved most, managing ground-up and remodel projects for national retail, manufacturing, warehouse, hospitality and worship facilities.
Jennifer’s education and work experience taught her how to be a problem-solver and critical thinker; able to anticipate issues and create new systems that streamline operations, resolve concerns and ultimately improve efficiency. She’s an articulate communicator and loves building relationships as much as she loves building what’s in the blueprints.
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Graduated from North Lake College with an Associate of Construction Management degree
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Graduated from North Carolina State University with a BS in Business Management
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Active member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
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OSHA 30 hours
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Assistant Superintendent Certification
Jennifer and her husband, James, have been married since 2023.
JODI JAMES
Jodi comes to LJ with over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development. She decided to join forces with Robb, Chad & Jennifer to apply her skill set to the industry she has grown to be so familiar with at home. Her core values drive her ability to develop relationships at all levels of an organization to best understand each client’s needs and goals - not just for the construction project itself but for the client’s overarching business objectives.
She began her career in media sales which led to senior level sales positions in advertising.. She also led marketing strategy and execution for a media production company, prior to coming to LJ, and has worked with companies in various industries including retail, hospitality, consumer products, and construction. Throughout her career, Jodi was responsible for developing and managing large portfolios of work and for leading the account teams required to geo the work. She exceeded her sales goals annually and, in the process, created new profitable revenue streams. Jodi greatly enjoys networking with others with the intent of making meaningful connections, both in business and personally. Furthermore, she is a problem-solver and thrives in an entrepreneurial environment.
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Graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and International Business
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Board member for AAF Dallas (American Advertising Federation) in 2019 where she was the chairperson for the local industry’s largest gala and fundraiser
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Has served in various charity organizations including Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Rockwall Women’s League, Hope Supply Company, and M.O.M. Crew Foundation
Jodi & Robb have been married since 2010 and have two children, Carly & Wade.
OUR SERVICES

Pre-Construction
In every successful construction project, several stakeholders are involved – owners, architects, engineers, consultants, trade partners, and General Contractors. Engaging a General Contractor early in the process brings value, expertise and efficiencies that often go unrealized otherwise. A well thought out Pre-Construction plan is critical before breaking ground. This process will help to ensure that the project stays on track throughout its duration. We have strong relationships with our trade partners and, most importantly, possess an abundance of construction knowledge so that our owners’ projects are completed on time, within budget, and in a safe manner.

General Construction
Our experience in building churches, schools, retail and hospitality centers, car dealerships, medical facilities, and multi-family living spaces, allows LJ Companies to be adaptable, credible, reliable and ready to help you meet the demands of your business. Our quality control program led by our on-site superintendents greatly reduces the need for re-work saving both time and money. Successful construction projects require the perfect combination of time, resources, expertise and problem-solving that only years of experience provides.

Design-Build
LJ Companies provides turn-key Design-Build so that you can stay focused on your business. The process starts with a series of meetings to better understand your vision and then quickly moves to the design phase. Once the design is in place, construction can commence. We believe that Owner feedback is critical, therefore, our owners have the opportunity to provide input during each phase of the project.

CONTACT US
GET IN TOUCH
For more information on how we can help you with your next construction project, please contact us at info@ljcos.com, fill out the form below.
CONTACT FORM
CAREERS
For job inquiries, please contact us at info@ljcos.com.
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OFFICE ADDRESS
550 Vigor Way
Suite 101
Rockwall, TX. 75087