Waltbillig & Hood celebrated its 10th anniversary in April 2026, reflecting a decade of growth, expanded capabilities and an increasing presence across Southwest Florida.
The company was founded in 2016 by Jay Waltbillig and Brian Hood to create a general contracting firm that could meet the demands of Southwest Florida’s rapid growth. From its outset, Waltbillig & Hood has set high standards for quality, integrity and client-focused delivery.
“Recognizing the need for a dependable, high-performing contractor in the region, we set out to build a company rooted in strong relationships, clear communication and long-term partnerships,” says Brian Hood, co-founder of Waltbillig & Hood. “From the beginning, the focus was on delivering high-quality projects while creating a transparent and positive experience for clients.”
The firm was founded on the principles of humility, innovation, leadership and trust. “Those values were intentionally chosen because they reflect how we believe construction should be approached,” says the company’s other co-founder, Jay Waltbillig. “Humility keeps us grounded and focused on listening to our clients and partners. Innovation drives us to find better, more efficient ways to build.”
“Leadership ensures individual growth and accountability at every level, and trust is what ties it all together,” he continues. “These aren’t just words. We apply them daily, alongside a commitment to doing what we say we will do.”
The relationships Waltbillig & Hood has developed throughout Southwest Florida over the last decade have played a significant role in the firm’s continued growth and success.
“A big part of what has brought us to this point are the connections, relationships and partnerships we’ve built within the Southwest Florida community,” says Hood. “Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to work alongside great clients, design partners and local organizations, and those experiences have naturally led to continued opportunities.”
“Relationships are central to everything we do,” says Waltbillig. “A large portion of our work comes from repeat clients, which we see as a reflection of the trust that’s been built over time.”
The company’s staff also played a big role in reaching that 10-year milestone. “We’ve focused on building a team that is invested in doing things the right way and in being dependable, flexible, communicative and detail-oriented from start to finish,” says Hood. “In commercial construction, projects can be complex and fast-paced, so having a team that clients know they can rely on makes a huge difference. We take our role seriously and aim to be a true partner on every project.”
Consistency, integrity and flexibility are key in a competitive market like Southwest Florida. “Delivering projects on time and cost-effectively, while maintaining quality and excellent communication, are what set firms apart over the long term,” says Hood. “We recognize that, and it has helped us build such a strong reputation in the region.”
BUILDING EXPERTISE
Over the past 10 years, Waltbillig & Hood has grown both in size and in the scale of projects it takes on, all while not losing sight of its original mission and values. Today, the firm has a team of more than 50, a diverse portfolio of more than 250 completed projects and experience across a wide range of sectors.
“That growth has been driven by the passion, experience and strength of our people,” says Waltbillig. “As we’ve successfully delivered projects of increasing size and complexity, we’ve honed the internal systems, processes and expertise needed to manage more demanding work. Having strong leadership from preconstruction through completion also allows us to approach complex projects with a clear and coordinated strategy.”
Waltbillig & Hood’s portfolio of work includes commercial and health care projects across a wide range of sectors, including acute health care; automotive; medical office; multi-family; emergency services; warehouse; convenience and retail petroleum; manufacturing; laboratory; storage; educational child care; retail; hotel; restaurant; zoological; and entertainment.
The firm has also completed a number of unique projects for local organizations such as the Naples Zoo and the Wonder Gardens. Those include animal enclosures, welcome centers, educational spaces, viewing platforms and guest areas.
“In commercial real estate development, relationships matter just as much as the deals themselves,” says Mike Metcalf, principal of MHM Development, a real estate development company that specializes in build-to-suit development for regional and national companies. “Waltbillig & Hood has been a partner for us across multiple projects and their consistency is just one of the reasons we continue to work with them.
“When you’re navigating complex deals in a competitive market, it’s critical to have a team you can trust to execute,” Metcalf continues. “That’s exactly what they’ve done time and again.”
Health care is a sector where Waltbillig & Hood has developed significant expertise. “Health care projects require a high level of coordination, attention to detail, and, in a lot of cases, a hypersensitivity to operational environments,” says Waltbillig. “Many of these projects take place in active facilities, so minimizing disruption is critical.
“Success comes down to thorough planning, plenty of communication with everyone involved and an understanding of the technical requirements unique to health care spaces,” he continues. “Being proactive and detail-oriented is essential in delivering these projects successfully.”
Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) has been working with Waltbillig & Hood for years and is a trusted partner of the firm. Past projects include ground-up construction of freestanding emergency departments and urgent care facilities, as well as a variety of campus additions and renovations to keep up with the everevolving world of health care.
“Their consistent, excellent work and focus on their customers is always evident,” says Jon Kling, chief operations officer of NCH. “NCH values Waltbillig & Hood and appreciates the partnership on so many critical clinical projects over the years.”
FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
Arthrex is another repeat client for Waltbillig & Hood. The firm has taken on several projects for the medical device company, most recently beginning work on two projects in Ave Maria: an 80,000sf warehouse facility and an 11,400sf early learning center for children of Arthrex employees.
“Partnering with Waltbillig & Hood has been an exceptional experience from start to finish,” says Trent Lewis, senior director of facilities and corporate infrastructure at Arthrex. “Their team combines the professionalism and expertise of a top-tier construction firm with the personal touch and attentiveness you’d expect from a trusted long-term partner. I look forward to partnering with them on many more projects.”
Ave Maria is something of a hot spot for the firm, which has around $90 million in contracted work in the community. In addition to its Arthrex projects, Waltbillig & Hood will also be working on an 80,000sf glass manufacturing facility for Chilean company Dialum, which specializes in processed glass for architectural, residential and commercial use. It will be the company’s first U.S. manufacturing facility.
The Ave Maria Apartments project for Barron Collier Companies ranks as one of Waltbillig & Hood’s largest projects to date. Work will be starting soon on the complex that will include 300 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment units on 16 acres, as well as a state-of-the-art amenity center with a swimming pool, fitness center, dog park and social spaces.
“We’re really looking forward to what’s ahead,” says Waltbillig. “There’s a lot of exciting momentum, and it’s rewarding to contribute to projects that people will use and experience every day.
“Internally, we’re just as excited about how our team is growing,” he says. “More than anything, we’re focused on doing good work with good people and seeing where that takes us next.”
“At the end of the day, we want to be known as a valued partner that ‘gets it’ and can be relied on to deliver,” says Hood. “Construction projects come with challenges, and our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for our clients. We have an incredible care for our work, we value our relationships and we’re committed to delivering projects that can ultimately be defined as the best result possible.”
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