Construction-consulting firm grows, despite downturn

Baton Rouge has been one of the few outposts of growth for the construction industry, which has continued to add jobs locally even during a recession that dwindled activity across the U.S. But one company that has fared especially well is JVV Consulting-Construction Management, which has gone from two employees and $550,000 in gross sales in 2008, to six workers and $2.9 million in contracts in 2009. “We’re in a unique situation as far as commercial construction goes,” says Anthony R. Vigilotti, president and CEO of JVV. “We’re not just a general contractor.” JVV, which set up its Baton Rouge office in 2004, operates as a full-service construction-consulting firm, handling such tasks as cost estimating, construction management and value engineering. The firm has worked on high-profile projects such as the planned Main branch for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, the Turner Industries personnel office on Highlandia Drive, and the demolition and redesign of the Turner Plaza elderly facility on North Boulevard, a $19 million project. Vigilotti says 20% of his business comes from general contracting. Vigilotti, who has 20 years of contracting experience with firms in New York and Florida, says he moved into the additional services “as a way of getting in the side door.” “Our fallback is general contracting,” he says. “I’ve got four or five architects that constantly call me.” While Vigilotti says he’s pleased with the rapid growth JVV has experienced, he’s got one eye on the future. “Where do we go in 2010?” he says.—Timothy Boone