Paul Bertozzi is the Founder and CEO of Live Oak Contracting, a multifamily general contractor based in downtown Jacksonville. He received a BA in Economics from Auburn University and immediately began his career in the construction industry. To-date, Paul is a licensed general contractor in nine states. Since founding Live Oak Contracting in 2014, Paul has grown their portfolio to include projects up and down the East Coast from Florida to Maine. Live Oak Contracting’s mission statement is a true reflection of Paul’s goals for not only his company, but for his employees as well; building long-term relationships based on integrity.
Under Paul’s leadership, Live Oak has successfully managed projects in an array of industries, including Market Rate, Tax Credit, HUD Multifamily, Mixed Use, Industrial, and Commercial.
Business Development
Paul has grown Live Oak Contracting exponentially over recent years. In 2015, the company reported $7.5 million in revenue, growing to $96 million in revenue by 2018 and to $189 million in 2020. Paul drove these results through his example and management and led Live Oak Contracting to be recognized as one of Jacksonville’s top 50 fastest-growing companies by the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Awards and Recognitions
Paul’s management has elevated Live Oak Contracting to award-winning status. Categories of recognition include quality of work, commitment to employees, and overall growth rate. These awards include:
- 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 Fast 50 from the Jacksonville Business Journal
- 2019 finalist for Coolest Office Space with the Jacksonville Business Journal
- 2019, 2020, 2021 Best Places to Work with the Jacksonville Business Journal
- 2019, 2020, 2021 Top 10 Largest General Contractors by Revenue with the Jacksonville Business Journal
- Ranked 34th on Inc 500’s Fastest Growing Companies in the Country in 2018
- 2018’s #1 Fastest-Growing Contracting Company from Inc 500
- Ranked fourth on GC Magazine’s Top Contractors 2018 list
- Ranked sixth on GC Magazine’s Top Tenant Improvement 2018 list
Personally, Paul was selected as one of Jacksonville’s 40 Under 40 in 2017 and, in 2018, was a finalist in Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year for the State of Florida. Paul has also been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Commercial Real Estate Executives in America and was on the Jacksonville Business Journal’s list of Ultimate CEOs in 2019. Most recently Paul was awarded a 2021 Top Entrepreneur by the Daily Record.
Community Involvement
Paul was born and raised in Jacksonville and feels a strong connection to the community. He is passionate about giving back to local charitable organizations and creates an environment where his employees can do the same. Organizations he supports include the North Florida School of Special Education, Jaguars Foundation, Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, and Safe Harbor Boys Academy.
Paul also has a heart for seeing Jacksonville grow. He served as a mentor for the NEFL ULI Emerging Leaders group and NAIOP’s Mentorship Program and is currently on the Board of Governors for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Advisors for NEFL Urban Land Institute. He is also an investment partner for JAX USA and Downtown Vision.
The last year has been very difficult for the construction industry and for business owners as a whole. From supplier issues and material shortages to navigating remote working and managing a team located across the East Coast, Paul has kept Live Oak Contracting on target and on a mission. Without his leadership, partnerships with subcontractors, clients, and project teams, and vision for the future, Live Oak Contracting would not be emerging from the COVID crisis in the position in which they are. He is diligent in choosing which markets to build in, focusing on cultivating relationships in regions with mindful and ethical opportunities.