In the highly competitive world of construction, where reputation and reliability are paramount, J&A Elite Construction has burst onto the Midwestern scene as a name to watch. J&A Elite gets its moniker from the father-son duo that began the company back in February 2022: Anthony, serving as the CEO and focusing on business development and Jose Vela, President, who focuses on overseeing operations both in the office and in the field. Together, the pair have quickly established themselves as strong players in the industry, steadily growing the company’s presence online and in the field. While their rise may seem fast, it’s grounded in years of experience, hard work, and a deep commitment to quality.
Jose, a Hispanic immigrant, arrived in the United States in 2000 with little more than hope for a better life. Teaching himself English by watching the news and cartoons, he began working in construction because that’s what his brother-in-law, who had come to the U.S. a few years prior, did. Jose began at the bottom—taking on manual labor in construction, over the years working his way up the ranks, starting as a union carpenter and slowly climbing the ladder.
For over 25 years, Jose honed his craft, managing projects worth more than $100 million and overseeing annual workloads of $20 to $25 million. “He was always the one to teach me the ropes, ever since I was a kid,” Anthony recalls. “I remember him bringing home blueprints, showing me how to read them and explaining the work. I didn’t fully appreciate it then, but looking back, those moments shaped my career.” With over 25 years of experience and more than $100 million worth of projects under his belt, Anthony’s father honed his craft and built a reputation in the industry. It’s this legacy that laid the foundation for J&A Elite Construction.
Anthony briefly toyed with the idea of going to college after graduating high school in 2020, but he couldn’t shake the pull he felt toward the world of construction. “People always ask me, you know, ‘who do you look up to? Who is your inspiration?’” says Anthony. “I always say my dad, 100 times over. I’ve seen him do so much in the time he’s been here that he never thought he would.” Anthony ultimately decided to pursue a career as a union carpenter to learn the field before the office.
“I knew this was the path I wanted to take. I wanted to help build something with my dad,” he explains. This decision laid the groundwork for what would become J&A Elite Construction.
Then in February 2022, with Anthony and his father at the helm, J&A Elite Construction was born. The company’s early projects were modest—two contracts for the TFC Bank and a Psycho Bunny store. These projects, valued at around $250,000, were the first steppingstones in what would become a much larger venture. During these early days, Anthony and his father split their time between the office and the field, working long hours to ensure their vision was realized. “It was a lot of juggling at first,” says Anthony. “We were both in the field during the day and handling the office work at night.”
By the end of their second year in business, the company had scaled up to handle over $2.5 million in projects, and by 2024, J&A Elite Construction had topped $3 million in annual revenue. The growth was significant, but it didn’t come without its challenges. “The first year was tough—really tough,” Anthony admits. “But the second year, we started building momentum. It was all about proving ourselves and getting the right people on board.”
“The first year was tough—really tough. But the second year, we started building momentum. It was all about proving ourselves and getting the right people on board.”
This growth was made possible by the support of key partners, including general contractors like McCue, The George Sollit, The Missner Group, Reed, Power, Ujamaa, Angelo and many more. With these partners, J&A Elite has worked on projects at major airports such as Midway and O’Hare. Anthony credits their success to the relationships they’ve fostered with these companies, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to delivering the highest quality work they can for their clients.
Over its three-plus years in business, J&A Elite Construction has managed to amass a wide range of clients across sectors including retail, higher education and entertainment. Projects range from industrial office build-outs to multifamily construction, long-term care homes and the Lookingglass Theatre in downtown Chicago. The company has earned a reputation for quality in the multifamily space with projects including a large nursing home project in Libertyville, Illinois, and several others slated for development in 2025 and 2026.
Their multifamily work, which includes mixed-use developments with retail space on the ground floor and apartments above, represents a growing niche for the company. These buildings often feature amenities such as gyms and pet washing stations, catering to the evolving needs of urban dwellers. Anthony credits the company’s ability to handle complex builds from start to finish as one of its key differentiators.
“We are capable of performing framing, drywall, insulation, rough and finished carpentry from the A to the Z. We don’t just subcontract the work out; we handle it ourselves. That gives us more control over the quality of the finished product,” he says.
While multifamily construction is a stronghold, J&A Elite also continues to expand its reach into educational sectors, working on high school remodels and new builds, as well as K-12 and college campuses. As they continue to grow, the team at J&A Elite is focused not only on the work at hand but on fostering long-term relationships with general contractors who align with their values.
Some notable projects include:
Centennial Park Outdoor Theatre: A complex project in Orland Park, Illinois, involving heavy gauge framing and a stage construction for a concert venue.
Hawk Hollow School Renovation: A significant $600K project for a school expansion, which involved complex architectural elements like curved walls, adding both challenge and creativity to the design.
Eve B Lee Nursing Home Build-Out: A large-scale $1.8 million nursing home project, demonstrating J&A’s ability to handle bigger ventures. The company is collaborating with a neighboring firm on the exterior work while managing the entire interior build.
The duo has also focused on steadily growing the team, in addition to the arrival of top-class superintendents and foremen, the company has added an office manager and an estimator to the crew; keeping internal operations running smoothly.
“We’re still a small business, but we’re growing fast,” Anthony acknowledges. “We’ve been fortunate to find people who are dedicated and share our vision for the company’s future. It’s not just about the work we do—it’s about building a team that’s in it for the long haul.”
Part of this growth centers around Anthony’s commitment to building a social media presence. A Gen Z and digital native, he quickly recognized that many established firms still rely on traditional networking methods. Anthony felt like social media, particularly LinkedIn, could be a differentiator and get their business in front of those with hiring power.
“We’re living in a digital age, and you have to be where the people are,” Anthony says. “LinkedIn has been huge for us. I post about our projects, give shout-outs to our partners, and share what we’re working on. It’s been incredible for building relationships and bringing in new work.”
Thanks to his efforts, J&A Elite Construction is now the second most-followed union carpentry shop in Illinois on LinkedIn.
“I’ve had people reach out and say, ‘Every time I open LinkedIn, I see your posts. It’s working because we keep getting more recognition,’” he adds. It doesn’t hurt that the adorable office dog, Archie, is often making appearances in the pictures and videos posted online (and holding perhaps the most prestigious title on the team as K9 Division President).
Looking ahead, J&A Elite Construction has ambitious plans for the future. With an $11 million backlog of projects for 2025 and 2026, they’re poised for continued growth, and Anthony is focused on laying the foundation for the next generation of construction professionals.
“Ultimately, what we’re building here isn’t just a company—it’s a legacy. We want J&A Elite to be a business that can be passed down for generations to come. We’re not just building structures; we’re building something that will last.”
In just a few short years, J&A Elite Construction has transformed from a small, two-man operation to a flourishing company with an ever-expanding portfolio and a closeknit team of about 30 people – and growing. With a strong foundation built on relentless hard work, J&A Elite proves that expertise, and a commitment to quality can be enough to make a name for yourself in a saturated market.
“I see where we’re going and it looks good,” says Anthony. “I believe in us.”
Think J&A Elite Construction is a fit for your project? Submit a request through their online contact form.
