NuJak Featured in The Lakelander Magazine

Founded in Lakeland by Frank Kendrick in 1992, NuJak Companies is one of the leading full-service construction companies in the state of Florida. Today, NuJak Companies is led and operated by father and son duo Frank and Brandon Kendrick. 

Celebrating 30 years in business, the Kendrick’s entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for building community continues to be the driving force behind NuJak. 

Frank and his dad talked about this “game plan” to start a company together in West Palm Beach, where Frank grew up, instead life led him to Lakeland. In 1989, Frank became the first in his family to graduate college with a Bachelor’s degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida, where he met his wife. Frank’s wife and her family were from Lakeland, so when his in-laws had a family accident that burned down their home, Frank and his wife moved to Lakeland to build them a new home. What was supposed to be a temporary relocation became NuJak’s first project. Since then, NuJak has grown to one of the largest minority-owned construction firms in Central Florida.

Brandon Kendrick’s role as President/Chief Financial Officer for NuJak Companies wasn’t an obvious career path for him, regardless of the family business. “I was always a numbers guy, and I didn’t necessarily share the same passion for the construction industry,” says Brandon. After high school, Brandon continued his education and received his master’s degree in Accounting from Liberty University, a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Florida Atlantic University, and eventually a certificate in construction management from Florida Atlantic University. He is also certified with Ameritrade Investment Certificate Program. Although Brandon’s passion was in the sports industry, a series of life experiences led him back to NuJak Companies. “I love sports so much that it was such a tough decision. I prayed about [the opportunity] at NuJak, and there were just different things that happened; I honestly felt like everything was divine. I felt led by God that this was what I was supposed to do,” tells Brandon. 

Read the full story here.