CEO
C.D. Smith | Fond du Lac
Justin Smith represents the fourth generation of family leadership at C.D. Smith, a Fond du Lac-based construction firm. He succeeded his father, the late Gary Smith, as president and chief executive officer in 2014. Under Justin’s leadership, C.D. Smith opened a Milwaukee branch in 2015, a new corporate office in Fond du Lac and a second branch in Madison in 2019, and a fourth office, in La Crosse, in 2020. The firm has more than 600 employees and in recent years has reported annual revenues of over $500 million.
C.D. Smith is seen as a leader in mass timber construction in Wisconsin, having worked on five mass timber projects in the state, including Ascent, the world’s tallest mass timber hybrid tower. The firm served as the construction manager, alongside Gilbane Building Co., of the $465 million Baird Center expansion, which doubled the downtown Milwaukee convention center’s size to 1.3 million feet. It also provided construction management and general contracting services for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to convert the Warner Grand Theatre into its performance center.
Other ongoing projects include the Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus and the nine-block Kenosha Harbor District redevelopment project.
Education: Bachelor’s, West Virginia University
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Real Estate and Development | Construction
CEO
C.D. Smith | Fond du Lac
Justin Smith was appointed president and CEO of C.D. Smith Construction in 2014, following the death of his father, Gary. He now represents the fourth generation of family leadership for the Fond du Lac-based general contractor. C.D. Smith has over 600 employees and annual revenues exceeding $500 million. Some if its high-profile projects have included the 7seventy7 apartment tower development in downtown Milwaukee and the Hill Farms State Office Building in Madison. C.D. Smith, along with Gilbane Building Co., are construction managers for the current $456 million Wisconsin Center expansion project in downtown Milwaukee.
Favorite restaurant, order: “Kaminski’s Chop house at Chula Vista Resort. The Garbage Salad followed by the best beef fillet ever.”
Career advice: “Sometimes we must take things seriously, although doing so all the time gets boring.”
Toughest challenge you’ve ever faced: “My father passed away before his time and left me with some growing up to do. Transitioning C.D. Smith Construction from ‘my dad’s company’ to one with my stamp was challenging. I didn’t get it all right. I managed to do many things wrong and learned from my mistakes. Along the way, I managed to surround myself with a great team, and we are getting it right together. I take great pride in all of our people and fully intend to continue to build a company that would make my father proud.”
Advice you’d give to a young professional: “Surround yourself with good people who are smarter than you, and be a sponge. Success will find you faster.”
