From Road Dreams to Real Roads: How One Entrepreneur is Building More Than Just Infrastructure

We’ve all driven past road construction sites and seen crews busy at work, maybe slowed down for the cones or watched a concrete mixer spin. But rarely do we stop to consider the people behind those projects, especially those who dream of owning the very businesses making these roads a reality. 

Justin Mannina is one such entrepreneur. After college, he started out working for large construction firms, learning the ropes and watching the massive projects unfold. Inspired by his dad, a former Exxon construction manager who once showed him videos of offshore platforms being built, Justin developed a passion for construction that runs deep. “I wanted to work for the company building those offshore platforms,” he recalls, which led him to Kiewit, a giant in the construction world. Over time, Justin found pride and joy in seeing projects come to life airports, highways, even one of the world’s largest carbon capture plants. 

But Justin didn’t stop at working for others. Along with a partner and his wife’s encouragement, he took a leap of faith and launched his own company. The early years were tough: no paychecks, working multiple jobs, and financial uncertainty. “We probably spent five years without paying ourselves,” he admits. Yet, through grit and teamwork, they persevered, eventually growing not just one but multiple construction companies, each specializing in unique niches like specialty concrete work or general contracting for power and energy projects. 

What makes Justin’s story especially inspiring is his commitment beyond just building roads and buildings. He’s passionate about building people. His companies hire straight out of high school, provide second chances, and open doors for immigrants chasing the American dream. “There are two types of people in construction: those building the work and those supporting them. You can’t have one without the other,” he explains, emphasizing the value of on-the-job mentorship over traditional college paths. 

Justin also sees opportunity in innovation. While managing multiple jobs and projects, he co-developed a mobile app called MyTruckBoss, designed to digitize and streamline dirt hauling and trucking logistics, a process traditionally bogged down by paper tickets and delays. This app helps construction sites keep real-time tabs on material movement, making projects more efficient and transparent. 

But for Justin, the conversation around construction isn’t limited to blueprints and budgets; it includes the people who make it all possible. A concern of his is a workforce shaped by immigration policy, including individuals protected under DACA who, despite contributing meaningfully to the economy, find themselves in legal limbo. “These aren’t just laborers,” Justin says. “They’re neighbors, taxpayers, college graduates, men and women who’ve earned their place here.” 

Take Gus, for example, a DACA recipient who worked his way up to become an estimator after putting himself through the University of Houston’s construction management program. Despite the complicated path to citizenship for DACA recipients, Gus recently got approved for the next step toward citizenship, a win that shows perseverance both on and off the jobsite. 

Then there’s Vernon, a former college football hopeful whose career was cut short by injury. Without experience or a clean slate, Vernon was initially rejected by HR due to a past record. But Justin saw potential and gave him a chance. Today, Vernon is a pipe superintendent making $150,000 a year, supporting his family and serving as a positive role model on the team. 

Stories like these aren’t rare for Justin, who credits mentorship and opening doors for non-traditional candidates, including high school students, former inmates, and immigrants, as key to building a strong workforce. He emphasizes that wages in construction are competitive, often beating out many college degrees without the burden of debt. 

From hard hats to smartphones, Justin Mannina’s journey reminds us that construction isn’t just about concrete and steel. It’s about building opportunities, communities, and futures, one project and one person at a time.