Founded by decorated veteran and Cherokee Nation chief John E. Shavers in the wake of Hurricane Camille, JESCO has grown from a Gulf Coast marine contractor into one of America's largest certified Department of Defense construction firms.
With active design-build operations on every inhabited continent, we execute in environments where others can't. - Government bases in active conflict zones, remote coastlines, and the world's busiest ports.
01
Land & Legacy
Rooted in Cherokee Nation heritage stewardship, respect, and generational responsibility guide every project.
02
Mission Discipline
Government precision. On time, on budget, in the most demanding environments on earth.
03
Common Good
Construction as a force for good infrastructure that connects nations and communities that lifts lives.
DoD Certified
Cherokee Nation
Veteran Owned
What we build
Core Capabilities
Six decades of specialisation across the world's most demanding infrastructure sectors marine, government, civil, energy, rail, and global logistics.
Marine & Port Infrastructure
Terminals, harbours, breakwaters, and one of the largest privately-owned marine fleets in the United States. Largest Gulf Coast marine contract in history.
Government Installations
Specialist DoD design-build construction for US Government worldwide - including forward operating bases in active conflict regions.
Power Generation
Electrical generation, distribution infrastructure, and nuclear power capability for government and private utility clients.
Roads, Bridges & Civil
Full-scope civil engineering at any scale - from Gulf Coast highways to international bridge projects. Any terrain, any country.
Railways & Transportation
Multinational rail corridor design-build and transportation infrastructure project management across government and private clients.
Global Logistics
Multinational engineering services and materials management - including delivery of the single largest project in Middle East history.
Landmark Work
Featured Projects
A selection from JESCO's global portfolio - decades of record-breaking delivery across marine, government, and civil sectors.
Palm Jumeirah Materials Management
JESCO delivered full materials management for the Palm Jumeirah - the single largest construction project in the history of the Middle East.
Gulf Coast Marine Construction
In 1969, John E. Shavers secured the largest marine construction contract in Gulf Coast history - the project that established JESCO's legacy.
Global Defence Support, Ready On Demand
As a CERTIFIED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACTOR, JESCO responds to the needs of U.S. Government worldwide on-demand.
John E. Shavers
President & CEO, JESCO Global Corporation Vice Chief, Cherokee Nation of Eastern Georgia
The Founder
A Life Built on Service
A highly decorated US military veteran, John E. Shavers began his transition from active duty just as Hurricane Camille made landfall in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1969. His National Guard unit was mobilised to respond and it was there, in the rubble and urgency of rebuilding, that John found both purpose and opportunity.
By 1969, he secured what would become the largest marine construction contract in Gulf Coast history. Fifty years later, JESCO operates on every inhabited continent as one of the nation's largest certified Department of Defense contractors.
Today John also serves as Vice Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Eastern Georgia - Custodian of the Sacred Truths and Tribal Elder. His heritage is not a footnote at JESCO. It is the company's soul: stewardship of the land, respect for community, and the belief that construction can be a force for the common good.
"Whether deploying infrastructure in a conflict zone or leading a public-private partnership at home, we build with the belief that construction can be a force for the common good."
— John E. Shavers, Founder & CEO
Strategic Partnership
JESCO × ZPMC
An exclusive Joint Venture between two giants - combining JESCO's marine fleet and DoD credentials with ZPMC's unmatched global industrial scale to tackle the biggest marine challenges in the Americas.
About ZPMC
ZPMC - Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries - is the world's largest manufacturer of port cranes and heavy marine equipment, supplying over 80% of the world's port cranes. Together, JESCO and ZPMC are positioned to deliver the most ambitious marine infrastructure projects across the Americas.
JV Focus Areas
Ports & terminals - US and Americas
Container terminal yards
Heavy industrial marine facilities
Offshore & nearshore structures
Large-scale dredging operations
Construction as a Force for Good
Construction as a Force for Good
Founder John E. Shavers leads one of the world's largest humanitarian initiatives - using JESCO's reach and resources to support those who served, protect those who are vulnerable, and build the literacy that opens every door.
As Custodian of the Sacred Truths and Tribal Elder of the Cherokee Nation of Eastern Georgia, John bridges traditional Indigenous wisdom with modern enterprise - uplifting communities through cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and generational stewardship.
Indigenous Heritage
Vice Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Eastern Georgia. Custodian of the Sacred Truths. Tribal Elder.
John's renowned business acumen and standing as a Cherokee Nation leader represent the foundation of JESCO's life's purpose - to bridge traditional wisdom with modern enterprise, and uplift Indigenous communities through cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
