Maryville Commercial Construction

Jimmy Hawkins Takes the Reins at Leon Williams Contractors, LLC

After 20 years, Leon Williams Contractors, LLC has a new leader taking the reins. Jimmy Hawkins, who began serving as president of the design-build contractor in 2016, has been officially announced as the owner of Leon Williams Contractors, LLC.

“It’s an honor to follow in the footsteps of such a great and respected leader,” said Hawkins. “Everyone loves Leon, and he is a staple in this community. My goal is to continue building on the success that we have achieved over the years and be a construction partner that the community turns to when they need a high-quality project completed.”

After a 55-year career in construction, including 20 years at Leon Williams Contractors, Leon Williams retired at the end of 2022. Over the past 10 years, leadership has gradually transitioned over to Hawkins.

“Leon and his late wife, Margaret, selected me in 2005 and spent years instilling in me the culture and values that have brought Leon Williams Contractors success over the past 21 years,” Hawkins said. “While Leon may not be present in the business, his tradition of building high-quality projects will continue. The next generation of Leon Williams Contractors is poised for success.”

Hawkins’s experience with Leon Williams Contractors began while he was still attending the University of Tennessee, where he graduated magna cum laude with a BS in civil engineering. During his junior year, he began working part-time at the company. His hard work and dedication led him to the path of leadership in the company as he was promoted to partner in 2011.

In 2014, Hawkins was promoted to senior partner before being named president of Leon Williams Contractors in 2016.

Leon Williams Contractors, LLC helps clients get more done in less time while receiving more value for less cost. As the Maryville commercial construction leader, the team uses a combination of value engineering and the design-build delivery method to ensure projects stay on time and on budget.

If you are ready to partner with a trusted contractor, give Hawkins and our team of experts a call at (865) 982-1734 or contact us online.

Solomon Awards Name Leon Williams Contractors and Studio Four Design’s Foothills Church Project One of the Best of 2019

Maryville contractor and Knoxville architect recognized by prestigious church design and construction awards for helping bring fast-growing East Tennessee congregation’s vision to fruition

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Oct. 24, 2019 – Maryville-based commercial construction firm Leon Williams Contractors and Knoxville architecture and design firm Studio Four Design have been recognized by the leading awards program for the church design, building and operations industry for their work on the fast-growing Foothills Church. Foothills Church earned a 2019 Solomon Award for Church Design – Gathering and Community spaces for the 32,000-square-foot open, contemporary design and construction of its new building in Maryville, which opened in 2018.

“The mission of Foothills Church is to develop mature disciples of Christ in relational environments, and as the design-build leader, it was our mission to provide a building to facilitate such an environment,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “We worked extensively with Studio Four and Foothills Church to provide exactly what it was looking for and were active partners in bringing that vision to life. The natural light and open spaces provide a modern feel that’s comfortable for the congregation and welcoming for visitors.”

The Worship Facilities Network Solomon Awards recognize churches and their partners for excellence in building design, building expansion or remodeling, operational excellence, innovative use and technical production. Leon Williams Contractors completed the project with Knoxville-based Studio Four Design.

“Moving into a new building is exciting for any church, but it presents challenges, too,” said Stacy Cox, president of Studio Four Design. “The leadership at Foothills Church truly invested their hearts into this project, and their fearlessness and commitment allowed us to develop a design that really fits the community here.”

The new Foothills Church campus includes a 1,200-seat auditorium and numerous intentional ministry spaces that can accommodate both large and small gatherings and host its regular Sunday morning worship experience. Meanwhile, the open-concept atrium also allows partners and guests to enjoy a relaxed and intimate space specifically designed to develop relational environments.

A central feature of the new Foothills Church atrium is its elevated baptistery, located in the heart of the atrium, and visible to the public through its oversized glass windows. The intentional and thoughtful location allows friends and family to share the act of baptism while the congregation celebrates along within the auditorium via live video connection.

“It is truly remarkable to witness the way in which God has used this ministry through the expansion of Foothills Church to reach the people of Maryville, Blount County and Knoxville with the Gospel,” said lead pastor Trent Stewart. “We are grateful for the thoughtful work of Jimmy and the Leon Williams team. It’s a powerful reflection of our ongoing mission to develop mature disciples of Christ in relational environments.”

To learn more about Leon Williams Contractors or to view more of their work, visit https://lwcontractorstn.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973

About Leon Williams Contractors

An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area.

For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com or call (865) 982-1734.

About Foothills Church

Foothills Church exists to develop mature disciples of Christ in relational environments. The church was planted in 2009 by current lead pastor Trent Stewart, and his wife Micah. Today, Foothills Church is one of the fastest-growing churches in East Tennessee, hosting approximately 2,000 people weekly at its two Sunday morning worship experiences at its campus in Maryville, Tennessee. For more information or to plan a visit, visit www.FoothillsChurch.com

About Studio Four Design Inc.

Since 2002, Studio Four Design has served as a premier architectural and interior design firm to the Greater Knoxville Area. Their guiding principal is Design Matters, and their goal is to go beyond expectations to provide design solutions that positively impact their clients’ lives and organizations. Their team has worked on a variety of projects over the last decade that includes: churches, educational facilities, restaurants, retail buildings, athletic venues and much more. Studio Four Design takes pride in and is dedicated to all of the clients they serve. To find out more, call 865-523-5001 or visit http://studiofourdesign.com.

Leon Williams Contractors Begins Work on Etowah City Hall

Leading Maryville construction firm partners with city on major municipal upgrade designed to streamline services and enhance historic downtown

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Sept. 26, 2019 – Maryville-based commercial construction firm Leon Williams Contractors has begun construction on a new 3,200-square-foot city hall in Etowah, Tennessee. The new Etowah City Hall will become the city’s permanent dedicated building for municipal government in 2020, when the project is scheduled to be completed.

Etowah City Hall will be located on Tennessee Avenue, on property adjacent to the historic L&N Depot, built in 1906 and a southeastern Tennessee landmark for more than a century. The new one-story building is designed to complement the railroad depot, which was extensively renovated in 2012 and currently houses a railroad museum and the Etowah Chamber of Commerce and serves as a facility for public and private events.

“This project is a significant enhancement for the city of Etowah,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “It will complement the beautiful L&N Depot and add to the historic character of the downtown area by finishing the currently vacant lot. I am excited for the city employees to have a new space to work and residents to have an attractive city building to be proud of.”

For the last several years, Etowah’s city government offices have been headquartered in a rented office space north of downtown. Before that, the offices were located inside the city’s Carnegie Library.

“The City of Etowah is very excited to be able to use the expertise of Leon Williams Contractors for the construction of the new Etowah City Hall facility and the reinvestment in our historic downtown,” said Tina Tuggle, Etowah city manager.

Etowah City Hall is expected to open in spring 2020.

For more information about Leon Williams Contractors, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com or call (865) 982-1734.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973

About Leon Williams Contractors

An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area.

For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com or call (865) 982-1734.

Leon Williams Contractors Announces Contemporary Upgrade of Carson-Newman University Dining Hall

Maryville construction firm will add modern finishes and enhanced flow to Jefferson City university’s Stokely Dining Hall

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – June 20, 2019 – Leon Williams Contractors, a Maryville-based commercial construction firm, and Aramark Higher Education have announced a major renovation of Stokely Dining Hall at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The project will upgrade the university community’s dining experience with improved flow, updated contemporary finishes and expanded food options and convenience.

In addition to the improved layout and contemporary finishing, the renovation will add sliding barn doors that can be closed to convert the seating area into an attractive event space. Other additions will include an allergen-free station and expanded made-to-order stations.

“This renovation will bring a completely new feel and function to Stokely Dining Hall,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “We updated the seating area in this same space several years ago, so it’s satisfying to come back and work with Carson-Newman University and Aramark Higher Education again. This is more like a reinvention than a renovation. When students return to campus this fall, they’ll find an entirely new dining space that meets modern expectations.”

Leon Williams Contractors renovated the seating area at Stokely Dining Hall in 2010. The new project, which is already underway, will take place during the summer and is scheduled to be completed by the start of the fall semester.

Around the country, Generation Z is driving new trends in college dining experiences. Students now want customizable meal options, plant-based choices and allergen-free alternatives. In addition, they expect on-the-go convenience, digital payment options and internationally inspired dishes.

“We are pleased to offer students more variety, convenience and value,” said Rebecca Greenep, dining director, Aramark/Carson-Newman University. “All of the enhancements we are making to the dining program are based on student feedback, and are designed to provide students with even more opportunities to enjoy their meals, as well as their overall dining experience.”

For more information about Carson-Newman University, visit https://www.cn.edu/.

For more information about Aramark, visit https://www.aramark.com/.

For more information about Leon Williams Contractors, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com or call 865-982-1734.

About Aramark Higher Education
Aramark Higher Education is dedicated to excellence in dining, facility, conference center, and stadium and arena services. Aramark enhances the living and learning experience and environment for more than 600 colleges and universities throughout North America.  For more information and a list of our services, visit www.aramarkhighered.com.

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) delivers experiences that enrich and nourish people’s lives through innovative services in food, facilities management, and uniforms. United by a passion to serve, our 270,000 employees make a meaningful difference each day for millions of people in 21 countries around the world. Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, rated number one among Diversified Outsourcing Companies, as well as among the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Carson-Newman University
Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts university located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The University has over 2,500 students and offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. For more information, visit www.cn.edu.

About Leon Williams Contractors

An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area.

For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com or call 865-982-1734.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR
865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

Leon Williams Contractors Completes East Broadway Renovation Project for Allevia Technology

Maryville, Tennessee-based commercial design-build firm transforms former bank branch building into modern office space for business technology company

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – April 29, 2019 – Leon Williams Contractors, a Maryville-based commercial construction firm, has completed renovations on a former bank branch building near downtown Maryville for Allevia Technology, a local computer repair and business IT company.

The renovation project adapted an outdated midcentury building into a 2,700-square-foot modern, open-design office space with a fluid work environment for Allevia’s 10-person staff. The design incorporates the covered drive-thru into the building as a combined tech room and office. The additional space also provides more storage capacity for hardware, so customers can have quicker service.

“This space looks completely different than it did six months ago,” said Allevia Technology owner Stefan Wilson. “Leon Williams Contractors understood exactly what we were looking for: a clean, contemporary space we can call our own that will also give us room to grow. And this project is an investment in the area we call home. We’re contributing to the revitalization of central Maryville, and the money we invested is staying right here in Blount County.”

The building is located at 1819 E. Broadway, near downtown Maryville and convenient to Interstate I-140, US 129 and US 321. It is part of a business corridor that is currently undergoing a commercial revival.

“Stefan had a clear vision for the building and gave us the chance to do some new things,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “For one thing, we’d never converted a bank drive-thru into an office before. More importantly, it was an opportunity to take an old, undervalued space and create something new and modern out of it instead of just tearing it down. That’s good for the community as a whole.”

About Leon Williams Contractors

An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area.

For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com or call 865-982-1734.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973

PRESS RELEASE – Leon Williams Contractors Begins Work on New Lenior City Which Wich®

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR
865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leon Williams Contractors Begins Work on New Lenoir City Which Wich®

Maryville, Tennessee-based commercial contractor will help bring sixth Superior Sandwiches franchise to Knoxville area

 

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – March 28, 2019– Leon Williams Contractors, a Maryville-based commercial building firm, has begun construction on the first Which Wich®franchise location in Lenoir City, Tennessee.

The new store, located at 375 Kelsey Lane, Suite 3, will be the sixth Knoxville-area location for the Which Wich Superior Sandwiches franchise. The Lenoir City project pairs Leon Williams Contractors with franchise owner Jeff Hensley, who owns and operates four other Which Which stores in the Knoxville area. Leon Williams Contractors was the contractor for the Alcoa and Fountain City locations, which opened in 2017.

“We’ve worked with Leon Williams Contractors on previous Which Wich locations, and they’ve always been an outstanding partner,” Hensley said. “So they’re a natural pick for this project. We knew we could count on them for high-quality work, value and attention to detail. And the residents of Lenoir City and Loudon County are going to appreciate their work this spring when Which Wich’s custom sandwiches and out-of-this-world milkshakes are available in the area.”

The new Lenoir City Which Wich is expected to open in May. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled.

“We are honored to be working with Jeff and the Which Wich team again,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “Jeff is so professional and energized about Which Wich and their fun, family-friendly culture. It’s great for us to be part of that and to see the brand growing here in East Tennessee.”

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches was founded in Dallas in late 2003 by restaurant entrepreneur Jeff Sinelli. The national sandwich franchise chain is best known for its customizable sandwiches, creative ordering system, and personalized sandwich bag. Which Wich currently has 500 locations open or in development in 40 states and 12 countries. For more information, visit www.whichwich.com.

About Leon Williams Contractors
An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area.

For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.comor call 865-982-1734.

About Which Wich®
Which Wich® Superior Sandwiches was founded in Dallas in late 2003 by restaurant entrepreneur, Jeff Sinelli. The national sandwich franchise chain is best known for its customizable sandwiches, creative ordering system, and personalized sandwich bag. In 2018, Which Wich was ranked as the #9 sandwich brand on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 200 Food and Restaurant Franchises of 2018. In 2017, Which Wich ranked as #9 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers and landed at #20 on the Franchise Times Fast & Serious list. In 2016, Restaurant Business named Which Wich the first winner of its Future 50 Pacesetter award. Which Wich is the recipient of a Nation’s Restaurant News MenuMasters “Healthful Innovations” award and has been named by Forbes as one of their “30 Best Franchises To Buy.” Which Wich currently has 500 locations open or in development in 40 states and 12 countries. For more information, visit www.whichwich.com.

 

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PRESS RELEASE – Leon Williams Contractors Begins Work on New Lenoir City Which Wich®

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR
865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leon Williams Contractors Begins Work on New Lenoir City Which Wich®

Maryville, Tennessee-based commercial contractor will help bring sixth Superior Sandwiches franchise to Knoxville area

 

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – March 28, 2019– Leon Williams Contractors, a Maryville-based commercial building firm, has begun construction on the first Which Wich®franchise location in Lenoir City, Tennessee.

The new store, located at 375 Kelsey Lane, Suite 3, will be the sixth Knoxville-area location for the Which Wich Superior Sandwiches franchise. The Lenoir City project pairs Leon Williams Contractors with franchise owner Jeff Hensley, who owns and operates four other Which Which stores in the Knoxville area. Leon Williams Contractors was the contractor for the Alcoa and Fountain City locations, which opened in 2017.

“We’ve worked with Leon Williams Contractors on previous Which Wich locations, and they’ve always been an outstanding partner,” Hensley said. “So they’re a natural pick for this project. We knew we could count on them for high-quality work, value and attention to detail. And the residents of Lenoir City and Loudon County are going to appreciate their work this spring when Which Wich’s custom sandwiches and out-of-this-world milkshakes are available in the area.”

The new Lenoir City Which Wich is expected to open in May. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled.

“We are honored to be working with Jeff and the Which Wich team again,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “Jeff is so professional and energized about Which Wich and their fun, family-friendly culture. It’s great for us to be part of that and to see the brand growing here in East Tennessee.”

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches was founded in Dallas in late 2003 by restaurant entrepreneur Jeff Sinelli. The national sandwich franchise chain is best known for its customizable sandwiches, creative ordering system, and personalized sandwich bag. Which Wich currently has 500 locations open or in development in 40 states and 12 countries. For more information, visit www.whichwich.com.

About Leon Williams Contractors
An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area.

For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.comor call 865-982-1734.

About Which Wich®
Which Wich® Superior Sandwiches was founded in Dallas in late 2003 by restaurant entrepreneur, Jeff Sinelli. The national sandwich franchise chain is best known for its customizable sandwiches, creative ordering system, and personalized sandwich bag. In 2018, Which Wich was ranked as the #9 sandwich brand on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 200 Food and Restaurant Franchises of 2018. In 2017, Which Wich ranked as #9 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers and landed at #20 on the Franchise Times Fast & Serious list. In 2016, Restaurant Business named Which Wich the first winner of its Future 50 Pacesetter award. Which Wich is the recipient of a Nation’s Restaurant News MenuMasters “Healthful Innovations” award and has been named by Forbes as one of their “30 Best Franchises To Buy.” Which Wich currently has 500 locations open or in development in 40 states and 12 countries. For more information, visit www.whichwich.com.

 

PRESS RELEASE – Molecular Pathology Completion

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR
865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leon Williams Contractors Completes Lab Renovation for Biotech Testing Project in Maryville

Maryville, Tennessee-based commercial design-build firm updates Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network’s East Tennessee facility for upcoming biotechnology clinical trial

 

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Feb. 28, 2018–Leon Williams Contractors, a Maryville-based commercial design-build firm, has completed a renovation for regional medical testing provider Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network (MPLN) that will allow MPLN to conduct a high-level six-month biotechnology clinical trial in 2019.

“These trials present a great opportunity for our company, so it was important for us to work with a team we trusted,” said Roger A. Hubbard, founder, president and CEO of MPLN. “We had very specific needs for this project, and Leon Williams Contractors fulfilled every one of them. They offered the skill, precision and experience we were looking for, and they communicated clearly throughout the process so we knew exactly what was happening the whole time. Now we can start these clinical trials with complete confidence.”

The project converted a one-room lab at MPLN’s 27,000-square-foot downtown Maryville headquarters into two state-of-the-art laboratories connected by a corridor. In order to accommodate the upcoming clinical trials, the two labs have been equipped with a complex split-air-pressure system. The system keeps positive air pressure in one room and negative air pressure in the other in order to prevent contamination between the two rooms.

“This was an extremely technical project for us, but we’re happy to say that we got it done on time and under budget,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “There’s almost no room for error, since any contamination might invalidate the scientific trials. The MPLN team gave us a detailed plan that guided us from start to finish, and now they’re ready to get started with their clinical trials.”

MPLN provides an expanding menu of molecular diagnostics, specialty anatomic pathology, flow cytometry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and cytogenetic testing for pathology groups, hospitals, medical laboratories, and physician groups nationwide.

About Leon Williams Contractors

An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area. For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.comor call 865-982-1734.

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PRESS RELEASE – Leon Williams Contractors Completes Lab Renovation for Biotech Testing Project in Maryville

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR
865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Leon Williams Contractors Completes Lab Renovation for Biotech Testing Project in Maryville

Maryville, Tennessee-based commercial design-build firm updates Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network’s East Tennessee facility for upcoming biotechnology clinical trial

 

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Feb. 28, 2018–Leon Williams Contractors, a Maryville-based commercial design-build firm, has completed a renovation for regional medical testing provider Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network (MPLN) that will allow MPLN to conduct a high-level six-month biotechnology clinical trial in 2019.

“These trials present a great opportunity for our company, so it was important for us to work with a team we trusted,” said Roger A. Hubbard, founder, president and CEO of MPLN. “We had very specific needs for this project, and Leon Williams Contractors fulfilled every one of them. They offered the skill, precision and experience we were looking for, and they communicated clearly throughout the process so we knew exactly what was happening the whole time. Now we can start these clinical trials with complete confidence.”

The project converted a one-room lab at MPLN’s 27,000-square-foot downtown Maryville headquarters into two state-of-the-art laboratories connected by a corridor. In order to accommodate the upcoming clinical trials, the two labs have been equipped with a complex split-air-pressure system. The system keeps positive air pressure in one room and negative air pressure in the other in order to prevent contamination between the two rooms.

“This was an extremely technical project for us, but we’re happy to say that we got it done on time and under budget,” said Jimmy Hawkins, president of Leon Williams Contractors. “There’s almost no room for error, since any contamination might invalidate the scientific trials. The MPLN team gave us a detailed plan that guided us from start to finish, and now they’re ready to get started with their clinical trials.”

MPLN provides an expanding menu of molecular diagnostics, specialty anatomic pathology, flow cytometry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and cytogenetic testing for pathology groups, hospitals, medical laboratories, and physician groups nationwide.

About Leon Williams Contractors

An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area. For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.comor call 865-982-1734.

Leon Williams Contractors Begins Renovation of Maryville Lab for High-Tech Clinical Trials

Maryville, Tennessee-based commercial design-build firm will update Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network’s East Tennessee facility to accommodate high-level biotechnology clinical trial

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Nov. 19, 2018 – Leon Williams Contractors (LWC), a Maryville-based commercial design-build firm, is renovating the Blount County headquarters of regional medical testing provider Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network (MPLN) to accommodate a six-month biotechnology clinical trial.

The project will convert a one-room lab at MPLN’s 27,000-square-foot downtown Maryville facility into two state-of-the-art laboratories connected by a corridor. The two labs will require a complex split-air-pressure system with positive air pressure in one room and negative air pressure in the other in order to prevent contamination between the two rooms.

“This is a highly technical project that requires attention to detail and precision,” said Roger A. Hubbard, founder, president and CEO of MPLN. “Any contamination from one room to the other could completely invalidate these important scientific trials, so there’s almost no room for error. That’s why we’re working with Leon Williams Contractors – they’re thorough and reliable, so we’re confident they can meet and even exceed the high standards this project demands.”

MPLN provides an expanding menu of molecular diagnostics, specialty anatomic pathology, flow cytometry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and cytogenetic testing for pathology groups, hospitals, medical laboratories, and physician groups nationwide.

Renovation will last six to eight weeks. The initial clinical trial will start in January and last for at least six months. When the trial is complete, MPLN will be able to adapt the new laboratory facilities for new trials and testing.

“This is a unique challenge for us,” said LWC president Jimmy Hawkins. “MPLN is already an advanced scientific facility, and this project will make it truly cutting-edge. Dr. Hubbard and his team have provided us with a clear vision of what they need, and that allowed us to create a detailed plan that we’ll use to bring their vision to life. We are excited to not only help MPLN refine their practice, but to play a small role in technology that could change the future of medical practices.”

About Leon Williams Contractors

An experienced commercial design-build firm, Leon Williams Contractors simplifies the building process by effectively managing costs, adhering to deadlines and reducing complications to provide a seamless building experience. As a value-engineering expert, Leon Williams Contractors offers a complete range of services including pre-construction consultation, site assessment, design-build expertise and construction management in the greater Knoxville, Tenn. area.

For more information, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com or call 865-982-1734.