Harold K. Jordan Knows What It's Like to Take Risks

After leaving a position with a builder developer in 1989 and seeing the apartment industry go through a downturn, he knew that it was time to make the leap into the life of an entrepreneur and start his own business.   

“I began approaching people I knew about getting the financial backing necessary to start a multifamily construction company,” he said. “I felt there was a need for a more professional and structured approach to multifamily building.” 

Now, 35 years later, Harold K. Jordan & Co. (HKJ) has grown from two employees to 60, with annual revenues of over $300 million. The company specializes in any type of repetitive housing, student housing, apartments, residential over retail, infill, and motels. At any one time, HKJ, which is licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, normally has between 12 and 20 projects under construction at any one time. 

“We are known for working with developers to solve problems, in addition to our product quality, orderly and timely competition, and our professional employees,” shared Jordan. “We grew when we had the personnel and capital to grow, taking advantage of good opportunities. We are always living by the old adage ‘pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.’”

Jordan explains that the company’s culture is part of its longstanding success, which is evidenced in many company employees having been there over 25 years. In addition, the team’s approach to client selection is also important. 

“Client selection is everything to us,” Jordan said. “We work hard to get clients who are knowledgeable, want their projects done right, and are good people. We have a very loyal subbase – loyal because we treat them and pay them very timely. For example, we have been using the same framer for our entire 35 years. We do not live and die by the change order as some of our competitors do, but by our motto ‘it doesn’t’ have to be hard’.” 

While growth has been steady and notable throughout the years, Jordan says that it hasn’t been without challenges along the way. HKJ survived the recession in the 2008 - 2011 with its capital, credit, and workforce mostly intact. So, when things started to pick back up, they had a head start.

“We were able to hit the ground running and we’ve been growing steadily ever since,” he said. 

When the pandemic hit, the company faced supply disruptions, long lead times, and constantly rising prices. Despite these hiccups, the team forged ahead with grit and HKJ saw continued advancement and progress.   

“We got through it with record volume and profits,” Jordan shared. “This is a credit to all of our employees.”

Building Stronger and More Robust Communities

HKJ is also dedicated to giving back to people and organizations that are doing good things. The company regularly supports causes in the area including Rise Against Hunger, Cary Rotary Club fundraisers, youth baseball programs, the Salvation Army, Life Experiences, First Tee Triangle, and the Y, just to name a few. Jordan also sits on the board of several nonprofits.

What's on the Horizon for HKJ?

Jordan says that he plans to take time to sit back and reflect not only on his good fortune in building the company, but the hard work and perseverance that it took to get there. HKJ is working on opening a new office in Charlotte and eventually, Jordan will transition the leadership of the company to the next generation of talent. 

“I’m looking to keep up controlled growth, while maintaining the culture,” Jordan said.