If you know Justin Hughes, you know he carries a certain air of mystery—the kind of person who gives off the vibe of the most interesting man you know. That impression started early at JC&A. During one of our first virtual company meetings in the thick of COVID, Justin was introduced to the team seated in a high-back chair, sporting a smoker’s jacket, perfectly coiffed hair, and a glass of whisky in hand. It was a fitting introduction for someone who has a true appreciation for the finer things in life.
Originally from Texas, Justin spent years in Dallas leading VDC and Lean efforts for a design firm before relocating to East Boston in 2021. His fiancée, Alexis, wanted to be closer to her family in New England, and Justin was eager to transition back into construction and project management. When he joined JC&A as a Project Manager and VDC Specialist, he quickly helped launch our VDC program before stepping into his current role as Senior Project Manager, where he now focuses almost exclusively on the life sciences sector.
Justin is known for his high standards—whether it’s tailoring his wardrobe, choosing fine food and wine, or even the way he approaches his daily lunch. Credit where it’s due, though: Alexis bakes a fresh loaf of bread most weeks and preps his sandwich the night before, indulging Justin’s meticulous opinions on sandwich-making. Every detail matters—mustard belongs on the bread with the meat, mayo on the bread with the cheese, meats layered with wax paper until it’s time to assemble. That same precision carries over to how he runs his projects, with an eye for detail, an expectation of quality, and an ability to raise the bar.
Over the past four years, Justin has led some of JC&A’s most challenging projects, including Lyra, where his team reconfigured plans to create an ISO 7 cleanroom, and AvenCell, where he built strong client relationships despite the hurdles of taking the project over midstream. Most recently, he was invited to share his expertise at Gensler Boston’s Smarter Science: Lessons from Automated Research Labs panel, where he discussed the realities of constructing next-gen lab environments.
Of all JC&A traditions, Justin especially loves the annual turkey giveaway and donation. For him, it’s more than a gesture—it embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving, generosity, and gratitude that defines JC&A’s culture. To Justin, the JC&A Way is about building meaningful relationships, delivering consistent, high-quality service, and bringing positivity and humor to every project.
Outside of work, Justin appreciates the good life but with balance and humility. He enjoys classical guitar—though he’ll tell you he’s neglected it in recent years and doesn’t consider himself a true guitarist—as well as art and travel. Fittingly, as we spotlight him here, Justin is in Italy with Alexis, celebrating their marriage in a thousand-year-old castle—a perfect setting for a couple whose sophistication and style reflect one another so seamlessly.
Congratulations to Justin and Alexis on this exciting new chapter!
