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Branch Group Integrates Roanoke- and Charlottesville-Based Operating Companies

Mar 18, 2021

G.J. Hopkins | Lacy

As part of its long-term strategic growth initiative, the Branch Group, a leading construction management firm, has integrated its established service contractors, G.J. Hopkins and L.A. Lacy.

Founded in 1958, G.J. Hopkins is a full-service mechanical, electrical, and plumbing firm that serves Southwest Virginia, while L.A. Lacy, a mechanical and plumbing company in operation for 100 years, serves Central Virginia.

This integration will allow Branch Group’s Roanoke-based G.J. Hopkins to bring its exceptional service and offerings to commercial and industrial clients in the Central Virginia market, including sheet metal fabrication, pipe prefabrication, special projects, and building information modeling.

“We always look for ways to drive superior value for our customers and clients and feel certain that this integration will bring the best of both worlds in the MEP space under one umbrella,” said Branch Group CEO Donald Graul.

G.J. Hopkins President Ernie Caldwell will lead the new “G.J. Hopkins | Lacy,” which will continue to operate as a Branch Group company.

“G.J. Hopkins and L.A. Lacy have a long history in our markets. By leveraging our reputations and combining resources, we look to procure more profitable work, especially in areas where our traditional markets have overlapped, such as around Lexington and Lynchburg,” said Caldwell. “G.J. Hopkins | Lacy offers greater resources with more diverse backgrounds and expertise.”

Former L.A. Lacy President Jeff Lewis will serve the Branch Group family of companies as the senior vice president of transformation and infrastructure. In this new role, Jeff will be responsible for corporate strategy, including designing and executing workstreams critical to the Branch Group’s continued success and reporting progress to the CEO and board of directors. He will also oversee the IT Department and any future mergers and acquisitions.

Hopkins | Lacy has provided reliable, top-quality service since 1922 and is one of Virginia’s largest and most respected full-service mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) contractors. We can provide the complete MEP life cycle by offering specialty services such as design-build, BIM coordination, fabrication, controls, construction, and preventative maintenance. As a 100 percent employee-owned company, we maintain a staff of dedicated, experienced personnel who are committed to the highest standards of integrity, quality, and performance.

Functioning as a business unit of the Branch Group, we serve clients throughout Virginia. Learn more at www.gjhopkins.com.

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