John, “Jake”, Ridgeway Jr. is the owner and founder of JMR Contracting Inc, a general contracting firm specializing in all phases of both residential and commercial construction projects. Despite having been established in the industry for only five years, the history and inspiration behind JMR spans three generations. John comes from a long line of hard working craftsmen and businessmen who taught him the value of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done, learning from a young age that it isn’t enough to simply perform a trade, but to strive to do it better than anyone else.

John came into the construction industry by a somewhat unusual route, originally getting his start in the culinary arts at the age of 15, winning multiple titles in various regional and national competitions. He continued his culinary education at The Culinary Institute of America in New York and found work at the reputable Four Seasons Hotel. While he excelled in the culinary arts, the kitchen left him desiring more, so John took his talents elsewhere, and found himself a job with a rapidly growing all-phase construction company back home in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

During the next 6 years John quickly transitioned from carpenter to project manager, leading crews of men twice his age and overseeing jobs that ranged from small home renovations to multi-million dollar commercial projects. He established a reputation for himself on being focused, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.

After a trip to Southern California 2016, John decided it was time to bring his experience and knowledge out West, relocating to Laguna Beach California in 2017. Building on his experience, John acquired his General Contractor license and within his first year in Orange County and JMR Contracting was founded, combining East Coast hustle with the coastal California lifestyle.