A.R. Mays Construction celebrates 40 years of building excellence across Arizona, California
Employee-owned firm marks four decades of commercial construction, nationwide reach, and continued expansion.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (May 4, 2026) – A.R. Mays Construction, one of Arizona’s most established commercial general contractors, is proudly celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Founded in 1986 by Adam Mays, the company has grown from a one-person operation into a sophisticated, employee-owned general contractor with a reputation built on integrity, collaboration, accountability and a commitment to its people. Over four decades, A.R. Mays has completed more than 1,200 commercial projects across 25 states, servicing 12 Native American tribes and has expanded its footprint with an office in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
After earning a degree in construction management from Arizona State University, Mays built his early career as a superintendent for a residential developer and later as a field engineer for a large commercial building contractor, where he helped build The Buttes Resort in Tempe.
When that project concluded at the end of 1985, Mays made the leap he had always been drawn to, starting his own commercial construction company. He hit the ground running, working seven-day weeks, performing as much of the work himself as possible, and relying on a small network of trusted relationships to keep the company moving forward.
The arrival of Joe Barth as Chief Financial Officer in 1993 marked a turning point. Together, Mays and Barth, now Executive Vice President, transformed the small local builder into a full-service general contractor with formalized systems, structured accountability, and the operational depth to take on increasingly complex projects.
Over 40 years, A.R. Mays has steadily grown its capabilities and national reach, delivering projects ranging from ground-up construction to complex tenant improvements across a wide spectrum of industries. The company’s evolution from a small business into a highly sophisticated corporation has been guided by a consistent principle: invest in people first.
That commitment to growth is reflected in the company’s recent geographic expansion. A.R. Mays now operates a second office in Rancho Cucamonga, California, extending its proven approach to project delivery into the Inland Empire and broader Southern California market.
“The employees are the cause and foundation of the company’s success. While we’ve built some incredibly cool projects, we’ve also managed to create and build relationships with some of the most amazing people in the industry,” Barth said.
Today, A.R. Mays operates as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, giving every team member a direct stake in the firm’s continued success. Both owners point to this structure – and the culture of trust, loyalty, and mutual care it reinforces – as the company’s defining advantage and most meaningful legacy.
“We are in position to achieve more now than ever. We have in place the strongest, most experienced, dedicated leaders to accomplish whatever aspirations we put before ourselves,” Mays said.
As A.R. Mays enters its fifth decade, the leadership team is focused on sustainable growth, continued investment in its people, and maintaining the standard of excellence that has defined the company since day one.
With offices in Phoenix and Rancho Cucamonga, a proven track record spanning decades and half the country, and an employee-ownership model driving the company forward, A.R. Mays is positioned for its strongest chapter yet.