Our People
We are working to change the landscape of construction for the better, and that starts with our people and our practices.
J&N Construction has been building & renovating homes and commercial spaces in the mountains of Western North Carolina since 2006. Cultivating community and connectedness with every project and every interaction is not just important to us. It’s essential to our company ethos.
Our team values a learning mindset in the building industry and the world around us. In business and as individuals, we endeavor to work for inclusion, equity, diversity, and the perpetual betterment of our world.
We are proud to be a Living Wage Certified employer and are incredibly grateful that we can offer paid time off, healthcare, and a retirement plan as essential pieces of a work/life balance that actually attempts to stay in balance. On-going team building, paid volunteering, industry-specific classes, and the odd lake day go a long way toward transforming our team and our industry.
Jeremy McCowan
PRESIDENT
Working on construction sites during summers through high school and college, Jeremy found his passion for building. It wasn’t a specific trade that got him hooked, but rather the entire process that sparked his interest. The sequence, the steps, the people, and how it all connected were part of the puzzle.
During a complete renovation of his own 1900s home in the Pacific Northwest, he learned to love the creative process of conceptualizing & creating thoughtful, efficient, welcoming, and cozy spaces. Seeking a spot to start a family and put roots down, he and his wife returned to her childhood region of the Southeast. Jeremy’s passion for the creative process is what brought J&N to life once he landed in Asheville in 2006.
Jeremy has spent most of his life in the mountains. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest, so no surprise that Asheville made an impression. Like most Ashevillians, he enjoys camping, hiking, hanging out at the lake, and shooting some occasional hoops. He loves spending time with his wife and two boys. He enjoys traveling and discovering different types of architecture and cultures. He loves meeting new people and learning about their lives and history.
Matt Lane
DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION
Matt has been with our team since 2012, when he started as a carpenter and transitioned to the role of Director of Construction after becoming a proud father in 2021. With a background in fine arts, he loves being a part of the beautiful transformation of our clients’ spaces and connecting with them through their vision.
Drawn by its natural beauty and easy access to nature, Matt moved to Asheville in 2009 and feels lucky to call western North Carolina home. He enjoys spending his time with his family, playing music, hiking, snowboarding, and going on the occasional surf trip.
Sky Walsh
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
After a childhood spent on construction sites, a career in design, and a departure to the world of jewelry, Sky came full circle when she joined the J&N team in 2021. As Director of Operations, Sky mainly works behind the scenes, ensuring that the company's systems and procedures run smoothly and evolve as needed.
In her free time, Sky loves to explore the woods with her dogs and is always looking for a great swimming hole. She enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, and learning people’s stories. Sky is also an accomplished watercolor artist and designs tattoos when she can be talked into it.
Shannon Simmons
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Shannon moved to Asheville in 1995 to pursue a psychology degree at Warren Wilson College, but it was in the school’s Work Program, as a member of the carpentry crew, that he found his true calling. After graduating, he honed his carpentry skills and quickly transitioned into a leadership role. Shannon joined the J&N team in 2009. Since then, he has led hundreds of successful projects in the Asheville area.
In his free time, Shannon enjoys live music, curating his record collection, gardening, and traveling with his wife, Jenn. To stay connected with his community outside of work, he also does a variety of volunteer work, most regularly with the Asheville Downtown Association.