James Kirksey was 17 when he first dipped his toe into the world of construction.
From the very start, he was hooked.
“I enjoy every part of the business,” he says. “Every day is different, and I’m constantly learning.”
Kirksey, 33, brings his extensive experience and his enthusiasm for the construction industry to ABES Contracting, joining the Memphis team in late June.
“We’re excited to welcome James,” says ABES Contracting President Emmanuel Tuombe. “He has a lot of great experience and brings so much to the team, including an enthusiasm for the work. This is an exciting time for ABES Contracting and we know that James will help us reach the next level.”
ABES Contracting Vice President Brad Davis agrees, adding that bringing Kirksey aboard made perfect sense for the company. “We are growing at a rapid rate and having James as part of the team means we can continue to bring the very best to the table on every project,” he says.
Kirksey grew up in Tipton County, TN. His father worked as a general superintendent for a construction company, doing renovations on hotels, apartment complexes and on other projects. Kirksey began working for his father as a teenager, “doing grunt work, labor, laying tile … whatever was needed.”
At 19, he decided to step out on his own, working with various construction companies before landing with the California-based company, Jade-Ex. For six years, Kirksey traveled the country, working on projects ranging from a casino in Las Vegas to an apartment complex in New York. He lived in Las Vegas for eight months, in Florida for nine months and in New York for two years while working on projects.
From the very beginning of his career, Kirksey made a commitment to excellence. “I take pride in what I do, and when I say I’m going to do something, I do it. I don’t do anything halfway,” he says. The result has been long-term connections with clients all over the country, some who keep in touch with him years after a project is complete. “It’s just having a good reputation. Doing the work the right way and building a network of people who trust you. That’s important.”
While Kirksey was building his career, he was also building a family. And his family led to his decision to step away from Jade-Ex and return to Memphis full-time.
“I have two daughters, 8-year-old Sutton and 11-year-old Isabella,” he says. “I decided to stop traveling for my kids.”
He returned to Memphis in 2022 and reconnected with the construction community there. One of those connections was Dylan Whitmore, who currently works for ABES Contracting. “I’ve known Dylan since I was 17,” he says. Whitmore encouraged Kirksey to take a look at ABES Contracting and to meet with Tuombe and Davis. Kirksey says he was impressed with what he heard and saw.
He loved the idea of helping a relatively new company grow and adding his connections and expertise. He also appreciated the diversity of both ABES Contracting and ABES Engineering, companies that have employees from around the world, including Africa, Hong Kong and Canada.
“I love it,” he says. “It’s a different perspective on life and work. Plus meeting new people is always fun.”
Kirksey hopes his connections and his work ethic will help ABES Contracting continue to grow, and he’s thrilled to be back in Memphis where he’s able to be with his daughters. “I don’t miss the traveling,” he says. “I’m more of a dad now. Since I’m in Memphis, I get to spend more time with them.”
When Kirksey isn’t working, he likes to spend time with his daughters and his fiance Jessie and stepson Dawson doing things such as kayaking, hiking, “chasing waterfalls” and riding motorcycles.
As for what the future holds professionally, Kirksey is looking forward to a bright future. “I hope to stay with ABES and bring to the table what I can and watch the company succeed. It’s an exciting time.”
