Meet Your Builder

Construction has been a part of my life for generations. I am a fourth-generation builder on my maternal side of the family and a third-generation builder on my paternal side. Long before I ever picked up a hammer, I was surrounded by people who believed that a person's word, workmanship, and reputation were the most valuable tools they could ever own.

My great-grandfather, Dixon McCord, was a carpenter whose craftsmanship laid the foundation for generations of builders to follow. My grandfather, James McCord, began his career building custom homes before moving into commercial construction as a superintendent. Throughout his career, he worked across the United States for Holiday Inn Corporation building and remodeling hotels. In 1978 he began working for Brown & Root, Inc, now known as Haliburton. His work abroad included the Naval Facility in Bander, Abbas, Iran and the Naval Support Facility in Diego Garcia.  He continued working with Brown & Root, Inc in Pascagoula, MS, Grenada, MS and Florida. In 1988 he became a superintendent with Pryor Construction, Inc until he retired in 2002. My mother, Jill McCord decided that building was in her blood too. She studied architectural drafting in high school and continued her drafting education at ICC. My mother worked for Brown & Root in the engineering department in Pascagoula and Grenada, MS. She later was employed by Pryor Construction, Inc in their Tupelo Office and Sardis, MS.  Later, she helped my grandparents with their business, McCord Construction,  LLC.  

It was at the Sardis, MS job  where the chapter of my family's story began. My mother worked in the field office for Pryor Construction, while my father, David Mills, and grandfather, Albert Pate, owned Mills Masonry, performing the masonry work. That jobsite is where my parents first met.

My father later became a Project Supervisor for Mid-South Masonry, overseeing masonry work on some of Mississippi's largest commercial projects, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center Tower, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History building, and the Tutwiler Correctional Facility.

As a kid, I spent many summers on those jobsites. I had my own hard hat and safety vest with my name on them, and before long everyone knew me as "Little Boss Man." I loved every minute of it. Watching buildings rise from nothing fascinated me and gave me an appreciation for the planning, teamwork, and craftsmanship behind every project.

By my teenage years, I was working alongside both my father and my grandfather, learning every aspect of residential and commercial construction. Construction wasn't simply the family business—it had become my calling.

At 16 years old, I earned my GED on a Thursday afternoon. The following Monday morning, I reported to work full-time for McCord Construction, LLC.

By then, my grandfather had returned to residential construction and founded McCord Construction, specializing in accessibility modifications through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. Through his work, countless families were able to remain safely and comfortably in their homes.

Working beside him, I learned every phase of residential construction—from concrete foundations and framing to roofing, remodeling, finish work, and accessibility modifications. More importantly, he taught me to understand why things were done a certain way, not just how to do them. He believed quality started long before anyone saw the finished product. If something wasn't right behind the walls, it wasn't right at all. Those lessons have guided every project I've built since.

At 25 years old, I decided it was time to take the leap and build something of my own.

Starting a business taught me there was much more to construction than swinging a hammer. I became responsible for estimating projects, bookkeeping, scheduling, purchasing materials, keeping inventory stocked, meeting customers, and making sure every project stayed on schedule. Many nights were spent burning the midnight oil preparing estimates, organizing the next day's work, and doing whatever it took to keep the business moving forward. Those years taught me that building a successful company requires just as much dedication after hours as it does on the jobsite.

In 2014, I founded JDM Flooring, LLC. Although the name focused on flooring, our work quickly expanded into complete residential remodeling throughout North Mississippi and the Memphis area. Over the years, I gained experience in nearly every aspect of residential construction while serving homeowners with one simple goal: deliver quality craftsmanship, communicate honestly, and treat every home with the same care and respect I would my own.

Today, that journey has grown into JDM Builders, LLC. While the name has changed, the values have not. Every project is built on the same principles my grandfather taught me: do it right, understand why it matters, and never compromise on quality.

Today, I have the privilege of sharing that passion with both of my children, Trace and Madison. Just as my grandfather invested his time teaching me, I want to give both of them the same opportunity to learn this trade if that's the path they choose. Whether they become builders or pursue completely different careers, my hope is that they grow up understanding the value of hard work, integrity, treating people honestly, and taking pride in doing a job the right way. Those lessons matter far beyond construction.

One of the proudest moments of my life came when Trace was in Pre-K. His class was being asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. Around the room, the answers were what you'd expect—doctor, lawyer, police officer, veterinarian, even superhero. When it was Trace's turn, without hesitation he smiled and said, "I want to be a builder just like my daddy." At that moment, I realized the greatest thing I could ever build wouldn't be a house. It would be setting an example worthy of my children wanting to follow in my footsteps.

Growing up, I learned that in this business your name is everything. You can spend money on advertising, but nothing will ever equal a reputation built through honest work and satisfied customers. Every project I complete reflects not only on me, but on the generations of builders who came before me. That's a responsibility I don't take lightly.

JDM Builders isn't just my company—it's my family's name, my reputation, and my promise to every customer. My goal has never been to be the biggest builder in North Mississippi. My goal is to be the builder people confidently recommend to their family, friends, and neighbors. To me, there is no greater compliment than earning someone's trust Meet Your Builder.

Hearing them say “ If you want it done right, call JDM Builders.”

Dedicated to the generations who taught me this trade, and to the next generation who will carry it forward