Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Forrest.
Hi Jeff, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Construction has always been part of my life. As a kid, I grew up watching my family pour their energy into building not just projects, but communities. My uncle, Tracy Forrest, founded Winter Park Construction, now known as WPC, in 1974, and my father, Jim Forrest, finished his career working with his sons. I learned early on that this business wasn’t just about concrete and steel, it was about people, relationships, and doing the right thing even when it’s hard.
I didn’t step straight into leadership. I started on job sites, doing the hands-on work, learning from seasoned craftsmen, and understanding how every detail matters. Those years taught me humility and respect for the people who show up every day to make a vision real. Later, moving into the office, I began to see the bigger picture, how budgets, schedules, and decisions shape not just a project, but the lives of everyone connected to it.
The path wasn’t without challenges. I’ve experienced economic downturns, difficult clients, and projects that tested every ounce of patience and perseverance. But those moments built resilience. They reminded me that leadership is not about being in front, but about standing beside your team when things get tough.
Today, I serve as CEO of WPC, proud to continue what my family started over fifty years ago. I see myself as a steward of both a business and a legacy. The numbers are impressive, thousands of projects completed, millions of square feet built, but what means the most to me are the people we’ve grown with along the way: employees who’ve spent their careers with us, clients who return time and again, and communities that feel the impact of what we build.
Family continues to guide me. My son has stepped into leadership as President, just as I once followed in my brother’s footsteps. It’s rewarding to watch the next generation bring fresh vision, while knowing the values we built this company on still stand firm.
I’ve also found purpose in mentoring others. Through “The Contractor’s Mentor,” I share lessons I’ve learned with young contractors finding their way. For me, building people is just as important as building projects.
Looking back, my story is really about legacy, perseverance, and growth. I started with a broom in hand, worked my way through the ranks, and now have the privilege of leading a company that means so much to my family and community. Looking ahead, my focus is on ensuring WPC thrives for the next 50 years—and that the people who carry it forward feel as proud and supported as I do today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The short answer is no…construction is never a smooth road, and neither is leadership. My journey has been filled with both opportunities and challenges that have shaped me into the person I am today.
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the economic fluctuations. Construction is tied directly to market cycles, and I’ve lived through recessions where projects stalled, financing dried up, and uncertainty hung heavy. Leading through those times required tough choices, sometimes painful ones, but they also taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of keeping a long-term perspective when the short term feels overwhelming.
Another challenge has been striking a balance between tradition and change. As part of a family business that has spanned three generations, I’ve felt the weight of legacy. I’ve had to honor the values my uncle built WPC on — integrity, quality, and relationships —while also pushing for innovation, new technologies, and fresh approaches. At times, that balance wasn’t easy. But I’ve learned that honoring the past doesn’t mean resisting the future; it means carrying those values forward in new ways.
On a personal level, one of my struggles has been learning patience as a leader. Early in my career, I wanted everything to move faster, to be solved immediately. Over time, I came to understand that good leadership isn’t about rushing to solutions, it’s about listening, collaborating, and sometimes letting challenges run their course so the right answer can emerge.
And like any business owner, I’ve faced the human challenges too: difficult clients, projects that didn’t go as planned, labor shortages, and supply chain delays. Each one forced me to grow thicker skin, sharpen problem-solving skills, and, most importantly, lean on my team. I’ve come to see that struggles aren’t roadblocks; they’re opportunities to strengthen trust and reinforce the culture of perseverance we’ve built at WPC.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But every twist, turn, and obstacle has been part of the journey. And looking back, I wouldn’t trade those struggles, because they made me a better builder, a stronger leader, and a more grounded person.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I lead Winter Park Construction (WPC), a company my family started over 50 years ago. We’re a general contractor based in Central Florida, and our work has touched nearly every corner of the region, from multifamily and senior living communities to hotels, resorts, and specialty projects. Over the decades, we’ve completed more than 14,000 projects, but what I value most isn’t just the numbers; it’s the trust and people behind them.
Our specialty is hospitality renovation and new multi-unit construction. We’re known for taking on projects that require precision, speed, and a steady hand, whether it’s transforming a hotel while it stays open for guests, delivering hundreds of apartment units on tight schedules, or modernizing senior living spaces without disrupting residents’ lives. That ability to perform under pressure, while still delivering quality and care, is what sets us apart.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a single project, though there have been many milestones. It’s the culture we’ve built at WPC. For five decades, we’ve stood on a foundation of integrity and relationships. Many of our employees have been with us for 20, 30, or even 40 years. Clients come back again and again, not just because we finish jobs, but because we do what we say we’ll do, even when it costs us more in the short term. That reputation for trustworthiness is the achievement I’m proudest of.
On a personal level, I’m proud to carry forward a family legacy while also carving my own path. I’ve worked to modernize the business with technology, sustainability practices, and a focus on mentoring the next generation. Through my initiative, The Contractor’s Mentor, I share hard-earned lessons with young contractors to help them avoid mistakes and grow faster. For me, success isn’t just about the buildings we complete, it’s about the people we develop and the communities we strengthen.
What sets me apart is the combination of deep roots and forward vision. I’ve lived and breathed construction my entire life, but I also embrace change, whether that’s AI-driven project planning, innovative building methods, or creative partnerships. I see myself as both a steward of tradition and a driver of what’s next.
At the end of the day, my work is about building more than structures. It’s about building trust, opportunity, and legacy. And that’s what I strive to do every single day.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In construction, and in life, you can’t avoid risk. Every project, every choice, carries some element of uncertainty. I’ve never seen myself as a gambler, but I do see myself as someone willing to take calculated risks when the potential for growth, learning, or long-term value is clear.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was stepping into the leadership of a family business that already carried decades of history and reputation. Taking on that responsibility meant risking not just my own career, but also the legacy of my uncle and the countless employees who had built WPC’s brand. The weight of that risk pushed me to lead with integrity, to put people first, and to make choices that protect not only the company but also the trust it’s earned.
In business, I’ve also taken risks by leaning into innovation when it wasn’t popular. For example, adopting new construction technologies and exploring AI-driven tools for planning and efficiency wasn’t the “safe” route in a conservative industry. But I’ve always believed that standing still is the bigger risk. By moving forward, we’ve positioned WPC to thrive in an evolving market while keeping costs and timelines in check for our clients.
Of course, risks don’t always pay off. I’ve had projects that pushed us to the brink, moments where market downturns hit harder than expected, and times when choices carried more stress than reward. But each of those experiences reinforced an important lesson: risk without preparation is reckless, but risk with discipline is opportunity.
Personally, I think about risk through the lens of legacy. I ask myself: Does this choice build something lasting? Does it strengthen our people, our company, and our community? If the answer is yes, then I’m willing to shoulder the uncertainty that comes with it.
So, while I may not be the kind of person who seeks out risk for its own sake, I embrace it as part of growth. Every step forward, whether it’s launching a new initiative, mentoring the next generation, or tackling a challenging project, requires faith that the risk is worth the reward. And in my experience, the greatest rewards often come from the moments that felt the riskiest at the start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wpc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wpcco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WPCConstruction
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/winter-park-construction/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wpcwinterparkconstruction1765
Image Credits
WPC or Foto by J Fo
