J.B. Henderson Finds Success In High-Stakes Jobs

Earlier this year, J.B. Henderson completed the Molten Salt Loop Test Project for Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, a scale model that tests using highly corrosive sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate at temperatures exceeding 1,100˚F to produce electricity. Using BIM, crews efficiently integrated the complex piping configuration and critical electrical and architectural support components.

The firm has worked at the high-security Sandia lab for decades. "JBH really excels at projects that are highly technical, extremely specialized and schedule-driven," says Lynne Schluter, senior manager of facilities operations and projects at Sandia. "The thing that sets them apart from other contractors is their corporate culture of caring for their customers and people."

Recession Blues

J.B. Henderson's record of success didn't make it immune to the recession. In fact, the impact of the recession may have been compounded by a decision Henderson made in 2007 to take an assignment away from the firm to work on an LLC to perform the mechanical portion of a massive nuclear project in southeast New Mexico. That same year, J.B. Henderson transitioned partial ownership to employees through an employee stock ownership program, managed by Linda Henderson, Mark's wife and company secretary/treasurer.

"My presence was full time at the nuclear jobsite, and for three years I lived and breathed that project," Henderson says. "During that time, the economy continued to slow down and we were a casualty of the economy, just like most other folks in this business. My focus on that project essentially left our other existing areas without a CEO for some time."

Henderson learned a valuable lesson that it was critical for him to be available to guide and support the next generation of company leaders in preparation for the day when he will pass on ownership and the operational duties of his company.

The recession also solidified the firm's long-standing commitment to the community through the United Way and other charities.

In 2011, J.B. Henderson completed the renovation of a five-bedroom house donated by a local philanthropist into the Henderson House, the first transitional living center for homeless women veterans and their children in the U.S. The shelter is run by the YWCA, which plans to reproduce this model elsewhere.

Many of the company's employees volunteer at the ACE Leadership High School, a charter school in Albuquerque where hundreds of students learn every school subject through the lens of the construction industry. The school also has a re-engagement program for kids who have fallen through the cracks, says Guy, who serves on the board. "This past spring, we graduated 36 of those students, and we were able to transition 35 of them into work, college or apprenticeship."

The company has a deep involvement with the AGC-NM Building Branch in Albuquerque. Both Henderson and Guy have served as president, with Guy the first woman to do so. The chapter has also honored both with SIR awards, the AGC's highest award. "JBH is extraordinary in its commitment to community and the construction profession," says Vicki Mora, AGC-NM CEO. "The responsibility they take for expanding people's lives and creating opportunity is more than a vision or mission statement on the wall; it is in the DNA of the organization and its management team."

Blair leads day-to-day operations of the ENR editorial team to ensure brand quality and further best practices. He spearheads ENR's various competitions, including Best Projects and the Award of Excellence, and organizes editorial content at events including the Top Young Professionals conference. A Jesse H. Neal, Construction Media Alliance and AZBEES-award-winning writer and videographer, Blair frequently contributes to ENR’s burgeoning video channel with project tour videos and interviews with industry leaders. He is also a frequent speaker and moderator on topics such as diversity and inclusion, design and jobsite technology, construction means and methods and marketing.