Over 100 years, BEAM Construction has built trust, opportunity, and a legacy of craftsmanship
For a century, BEAM Construction has quietly shaped the built environment across North and South Carolina. Schools, municipal buildings, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and commercial spaces across the region reflect the company’s approach to construction: quality work, long-term relationships, and a deep investment in people.
Founded in 1925 by James L. Beam, Sr., the company began as a modest local builder in Cherryville, North Carolina. From its earliest years, BEAM developed a reputation for dependable workmanship and integrity; values that would come to define the company’s culture for generations. Operating first as a sole proprietorship and later as a partnership, the company incorporated in 1953 as its reputation and project portfolio continued to grow.
A pivotal moment in the company’s history came in the mid-1950s. In 1954, Tom Browne joined BEAM after working in industrial construction. When James Beam passed away in 1956, Tom purchased the company and assumed leadership. Rather than rebrand the firm under his own name, he made the deliberate decision to retain the Beam name, recognizing the strong reputation it had earned throughout the region. That decision proved foundational to the company’s continued success.
Under Tom’s leadership, BEAM expanded its reach and capabilities while maintaining the same principles that had defined the business since its founding: craftsmanship, integrity, and accountability. Over the next several decades, BEAM grew from a respected local contractor into a regional builder serving clients across both North and South Carolina.
Just as importantly, Tom cultivated a culture centered on loyalty and respect for employees. In 1972, long before such initiatives were common in the construction industry, he introduced a profit-sharing program to reward employees and help support their long-term financial security. His philosophy was simple: a company succeeds when its people succeed. That belief continues to shape BEAM today.
The company now employs more than 80 professionals across its office and field operations, and many employees have built long careers with the organization. More than 25 percent of BEAM’s workforce has been with the company for over a decade, and several team members have dedicated nearly 40 years to the business.
People-first culture
Leadership continuity has played a key role in sustaining that culture. Today, BEAM is led by Susie Lewis, Tom’s daughter, who serves as Chief Executive Officer. Susie joined the company in 1985 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University and later completing an MBA at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. A licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina, she advanced through the organization as an estimator and project manager before becoming Vice President in 1989 and President in 1994.
Over the course of her career, she has helped guide BEAM through decades of industry change, economic cycles, and evolving construction technologies while preserving the company’s people-first culture.
Supporting her is a leadership team that reflects both experience and continuity. Justin Boheler, who joined BEAM in 2017, now serves as President. Boheler brings decades of hands-on construction experience and has built a reputation for operational excellence and project delivery.
Jason Raines, Chief Financial Officer, joined the company in 2001 as Assistant Controller and was promoted in 2009 to oversee finance, human resources, safety, and insurance operations. His leadership has helped strengthen BEAM’s financial stability and organizational infrastructure. Together, the leadership team balances respect for the company’s history with a forward-looking approach to construction and project delivery.
One characteristic that continues to distinguish BEAM in today’s construction market is its commitment to self-performing much of its work. While many general contractors rely entirely on subcontractors, BEAM maintains skilled in-house crews capable of performing concrete, masonry, carpentry, and selected steel erection.
With approximately 55 to 60 field employees, the company maintains direct control over quality, schedule, and craftsmanship; an approach that reflects its longstanding belief in building expertise within its own workforce.
Collaborative constructability
BEAM’s work spans a broad range of sectors, including education, healthcare, industrial facilities, financial institutions, religious organizations, and municipal projects for town, county, state, and federal agencies. The company routinely delivers projects ranging from 5000 square feet to more than 300,000 square feet.
Among its most recognized project delivery methods are Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) and Design-Build; approaches that integrate construction expertise into the design process early in project development. By participating during preconstruction, BEAM helps owners and architects evaluate building systems, materials, and construction methods to ensure cost efficiency and constructability.
The company also provides traditional general contracting through both hard-bid and negotiated contracts and frequently serves as a masonry contractor for other general contractors throughout the region.
A recent example of BEAM’s work is the new Student Center for Cleveland Community College. The $24-million project involves construction of a three-story, 43,000-square-foot facility that will serve as a central gathering place for students and campus life.
Delivered through the CMAR method, the project represents BEAM’s first major collaboration with the State of North Carolina as the owning agency. The company spent more than a year working closely with the design team during preconstruction to establish a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), which was approved by the college’s board of trustees in December. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-May.
“The building will feature a food court, a student store and large gathering spaces for students to relax between classes,” Susie explains. “There will be collaboration areas for study groups, quiet zones for focused work, and administrative offices to support student services like finance, scholarships and career counseling.”
BEAM’s preconstruction team, led by Justin and Vice President of Preconstruction, Jason Clontz, played a key role in guiding the project through the CMAR process, which was new to the owner and design team. Their work included detailed budgeting, cost modeling, and coordination with state regulations. Sustainability and efficiency also played an important role in the project’s development.
Through early collaboration with engineers and subcontractors, BEAM helped evaluate alternative building systems and mechanical solutions to improve performance while controlling costs. In one instance, when early HVAC estimates came in higher than anticipated, the company facilitated discussions between the mechanical engineer and subcontractors that ultimately led to a more efficient system selection better suited to the building’s needs and budget. That collaborative approach has helped BEAM deliver multiple LEED-certified projects across the region.
Community contribution
Alongside the company’s technical expertise and project experience, Susie believes BEAM’s greatest strength lies in its people. “I am extremely proud of the team we have developed here over the years,” she says. “It really is a family atmosphere.”
That culture is reflected not only in employee longevity but also in the company’s emphasis on safety and wellbeing. BEAM celebrates employee milestones, invests in professional development, and maintains a strong commitment to jobsite safety. Over the past eight years, the company has recorded only one recordable accident; a testament to the discipline and professionalism of its field crews.
In 2025, BEAM was recognized for its impact on regional development when it received the Spirit of the Economy Award from the Gaston Business Association, honoring the company’s contributions to economic growth and community prosperity.
As BEAM enters its second century, the company continues to build on the foundation established 100 years ago. With a legacy rooted in craftsmanship, trusted partnerships, and a commitment to its workforce, BEAM remains focused on delivering projects that serve communities and stand the test of time. Across the Carolinas, the company’s promise remains unchanged: Strong. Solid. Sure.
