Bjork Construction Co., based in Fremont, California, is a commercial general contractor and carpentry subcontractor specializing in design/build projects. The company is recognized for its work with utility companies and expertise in exterior wood construction, among other specialties.
When Jessica Bjork-Madrigal and her mother, Jean, Bjork Construction’s CEO, appeared on the KTVU news program “Voices for Change” in 2024, the host noted that only 13% of construction companies are woman-owned. As part of that small group, the mother-and-daughter duo has earned numerous accolades.
In 2022, Bjork Construction ranked 12th on the San Francisco Business Times list of top women-owned businesses in the Bay Area. Other honors include the Associated General Contractors of America’s Diversity & Inclusion Award and the PentaRisk Insurance Services’ Safety Excellence Award.
In 2024, Bjork-Madrigal, the company’s vice president and co-owner, was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Built spoke with Bjork-Madrigal about the advice that shaped her career and her insights for those considering a future in construction.
Built: How did you choose to enter the construction industry?
Bjork-Madrigal: I didn’t; it chose me. My mother was a welder, and my father was a carpenter when they met. In 1988 they started Bjork Construction. My mother was an exceptional leader from the start and bought my father’s shares in 2009, while he continued as general superintendent. They’re still married, 42 years now.
I worked in the office as a kid, but I went to San Jose College and hoped to be a homicide detective. When I realized I’d have to be a cop first, I changed my mind when I learned what it paid. It just wasn’t enough for me to put my life on the line. In 2010, I joined my mother in the business after the financial crisis hit and she was going through hard times. Our employees took pay cuts and we were down to four carpenters in the field and five people in the office. I was cheap labor. I thought I’d help out for a little while, but not long afterward I really wanted to be part of the team.
Built: What’s the best advice you ever got about this industry?
Bjork-Madrigal: I worked at Boyett Construction straight out of college when no one was hiring, but they needed help and I landed the job. I worked with a gentleman who was a mentor to me without him even knowing he was one. I didn’t work for him directly, but we worked together on many projects, and he told me, “Don’t ever feel defeated; you just have to keep going.”
I was a woman and young, and had some really touchy clients, so getting myself heard depended on not being the loudest in the room, but coming in with the facts, being direct and not letting myself be pushed around. This man taught me that. His view of business was something I had never experienced in our industry. Unlike those who thought it was best to be the loudest, he taught me to be the smartest in the room.
Built: What advice do you have for people looking to follow in your career footsteps?
Bjork-Madrigal: Just do it. Don’t hold back; you’re going to enjoy it. There are so many areas to choose from in this industry, such as civil engineering, a vertical area, design or the field. Our industry pays well, although it is not for those looking for a 9 to 5. This field is for someone that finds it a passion and loves what they do.
Built: What’s your favorite part of the job?
Bjork-Madrigal: Seeing what we build. It’s the coolest feeling to see the smiles on our team’s faces.
Built: What do you think is the most pressing issue facing the construction industry?
Bjork-Madrigal: The average field worker is 55 and almost ready to leave. It’s a real crisis because the workers coming in are different from my generation, which really wanted to learn. There’s a big knowledge gap that the people who will be leaving are eager to fill. Our best foreman is retiring and the value that he brought to the company will be missed.
Built: What keeps you up at night as an executive?
Bjork-Madrigal: Everything. I’m concerned about us getting even better than we are. I want to make sure our employees really represent the company. When they go into a meeting with a client, I want them to project integrity and act with the utmost respect.
Built: How do you structure your time to fix the most important issues you face in your role?
Bjork-Madrigal: I try to make sure I’m not just blowing through tasks during the day, but I’m best at the end of the day when people have gone home. I leave the hard work for the evenings.
