As founder and president of Ridgeway Homes, J.W directs the company's financial management, operational management, and executive management.  J.W. is responsible for the strategic planning and growth of the company.  J.W. focuses on helping our employees reach current and new efficiency, quality, and customer service goals.

After completing his service in the U.S. Military, J.W. began his career in the construction and real estate development industry as a superintendent working for Lee Quality Homes.  Over his 15 years of employment with Lee Quality Homes, he had learned as much as he felt he needed to know to operate his own company.  So, in 1960 he ended his 15-year employment relationship with Lee Quality Homes, and he completed his tenure as resigned as the Coordinator of Residential Development.  Immediately following his resignation, J.W. started John W. Ridgeway Contractors, LLC with just one truck and a farm tractor in Butler, Alabama.  Through hard work and perseverance, the business grew, and soon the company had five crews working throughout Alabama and a portion of Mississippi.  Due to disasters circumstances, coupled with proper business management, J.W., and his company could seize a tremendous growth opportunity.  He rebuilt most homes and buildings destroyed by a train derailment in Laurel, Mississippi.  Subsequently, he became the first minority state-licensed contractor in the South Mississippi area.  

Since the founding of the original parent company, John W. Ridgeway Contractors, LLC, in 1960, J.W. has built, developed, sold, and purchased millions of dollars of residential and commercial real estate over the course of his career.  J.W. believes that to give a client exactly what they pay for; he should be personally involved and invested in every project and venture undertaken by Ridgeway Homes and its associated companies.  

J.W. is currently a Mississippi State Licensed Contractor, Executive Manager and Director of Ridgeway Homes and The Ridgeway Family of Companies, and a Deacon at New Hope Baptist Church.  Over the course of his career, he has received numerous awards and honors, both civically and industry-related.  He is also chairman of the deacon board for New Hope Baptist Church, in which he helps direct the policies of the church.