Jay Collins

About Jay Collins

I am a seasoned Construction Manager with over 26 years of experience in commercial and industrial construction and maintenance. Currently, I serve as the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Freedom Industries, an Industrial Construction and Maintenance MEP contractor based in Nash County, North Carolina. I hold H-1 and H-2 HVAC licenses as well as a Plumbing P-1 license in North Carolina.My career began humbly as an HVAC helper following my honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps, where I proudly served as a Sergeant and Heavy Equipment Operator with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable. My service, which included deployments to the Middle East, shaped my mental and physical resilience, laying the foundation for my career and leadership philosophy.Over the years, I’ve progressed through every role in the construction industry, from fieldwork to executive management. This hands-on journey has equipped me with a deep respect for the individuals and teams I now lead and has fostered an appreciation for the critical role every person plays in achieving organizational success.As a leader, my passion lies in inspiring individuals and teams to exceed their own expectations. There’s no greater reward than helping others achieve goals and unlock potential they once deemed unreachable. At Freedom Industries, I champion our core values—“Own It,” “We Not Me,” “Be All In,” and “Be Customer Centric”—to create a culture of excellence and accountability.Whether I’m mentoring team members, leading large-scale projects, or speaking at events like the Marine Corps League Ball and ESOP conferences, my focus remains the same: empowering others, driving results, and building a legacy of leadership and excellence.

Experience

1. VP, Chief Operating Officer

   Freedom Industries Inc

   Aug 2024 — Present

Education

• Ralph L Fike High School

  High School Diploma

  1990 — 1994

• Wilson Technical Community College

  Associate of Science (AS)

  2002 — 2005

• United States Marine Corps

  Honorable Discharge, Engineering

  1995 — 1999

• East Carolina University

  Construction Management

  2006 — 2010

Skills

• Project Control
• Cpm Scheduling
• Pre-Construction
• Blueprint Reading
• Schedule Control
• Commercial Management
• Osha 30-Hour
• Demolition
• Contractors
• Value Engineering
• Change Orders
• Rfi
• Construction Cost Control
• Construction Management
• Subcontracting
• Lean Construction
• Estimates
• Submittals
• Construction Safety
• Cost Control
• Constructability
• Construction
• Leed
• Fit-Out
• Cost Management
• On-Screen Takeoff
• Project Estimation
• Cost Engineering
• Cost Reporting
• Design-Build
• Contract Management
• Primavera P6
• Project Bidding
• Mep