JT Home & Lawn to take on Pittsburg State University landscaping
The grounds of Pittsburg State University are about to get some TLC, thanks to an alumni-led company founded by its owner while he was a student on campus. Josh Thompson (BST ’17) launched JT Home & Lawn in 2013 while studying Construction Management in the Crossland College of Technology. “I had one truck and a mower to begin with,” he said. That humble start has grown into JT Companies, now a 73-employee organization that includes JT Home & Lawn and JT Construction. His brother, Jake (BST ’15, BSEd ‘18), serves as president of JT Home & Lawn. Among the company’s recognitions are the 2024 Small Business of the Year from the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and the KOAM Four States Finest award for Best Construction Company. Josh was named the recipient of the G.O.L.D. Award from Alumni & Constituent Relations in 2024. This week, the company was awarded a contract to maintain green spaces and landscaping in areas that include the Oval, Russ Hall, Gorilla Village, Crossland House, the Weede. Building, the Student Health Center, the Student Recreation Center, and athletic complexes.
On July 6, the JT Home & Lawn team will begin work to return these areas to a level of which students, employees, alumni, visitors, and the community can be proud. “We will do landscape maintenance, mulching, spraying, lawn treatment — everything it takes,” Josh said.
Meanwhile, the university’s Facility Operations team will focus on the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, the Veterans Memorial, the Crossland Technology Center, the Student Welcoming Center, and the residence halls — a workload more appropriately sized for that team’s personnel and resources. University leaders say the partnership comes at a crucial time.
“The university takes great pride in our campus. Ensuring it's a beautiful and well-maintained place is a priority,” said President Thomas Newsom. A decline in funding over the past decade led to budget challenges and a smaller grounds team, even as the campus continued to expand. “We. knew outsourcing to a trusted partner would be the best solution,” Newsom said. The effort to identify that partner was led by Executive Vice President Jim Johnson, who was appointed in. February to help solve major challenges and remove barriers for students, employees, and the community. Johnson worked to divide the campus into service areas, solicit bids, and negotiate. the agreement. “We needed a flexible, agile partner, and JT Home & Lawn is it,” Newsom said. “They have built an outstanding reputation for their services, professionalism, and work ethic, and. the bonus is they are a family of Gorillas who care deeply about this campus.” The “family of Gorillas” description is more than symbolic. The Thompson family has longstanding ties to Pitt State: their father, John Thompson, is a longtime professor in Automotive Technology; their. mother, Debbie, has served in the Office of Admission for more than 20 years; and their grandfather, Ken Gordon, spent nearly 50 years in Automotive Technology. Josh’s siblings — Jake, Caleb, and Anna — also are graduates, and the family was named the university’s Honorary Family in 2021. For Josh, the opportunity represents both growth and gratitude. “Pitt State has been a huge part of my life, of my family’s life, for as long as I can remember,” he. said. “It played a role in me being who I am, and who we are as a company.” “This job is a tall mountain — Pitt State is a big, beautiful campus that people feel very strongly about and very connected to. A huge number of people are on it every day — it’s one of the most visible places in the area,” Josh said. “There’s a lot of work to do, but we are confident our team can do it and we are looking forward to it. We consider it a true honor to have been awarded this contract and are excited to grow this partnership with Pittsburg State University.”
"We needed a flexible partner, and JT Home & Lawn is it" - Dr. Newsom
JT Construction Engages with
Ag Community at the Four-State Farm Show
JT Construction is proud to once again host a booth at the Four-State Farm Show inside the Robert W. Plaster Center on the campus of Pittsburg State University. As a consistent supporter of the agricultural community, JT Construction values the opportunity to connect directly with the people who help drive our region forward. For several years in a row, JT has used this event to showcase its wide range of services and capabilities while offering attendees a one-on-one chance to learn more about how the company can meet their construction needs—whether on the farm, in the field, or beyond.
Building Connections,
Strengthening Communities.
At JT Companies, giving back isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. Our success is built on the hard work and support of the communities we serve, and we believe it’s our responsibility to return that generosity. Whether through donations, volunteer efforts, or community partnerships, we are committed to making a positive impact. We truly love supporting those who give us so much, year in and year out. It’s more than a commitment—it’s our culture.
JT Construction Company is honored and proud to sponsor the Spirit of Pittsburg Award, a recognition that celebrates dedication, service, and community pride. We are especially proud to see this year’s award presented to Frances Mitchelson, whose lifelong commitment to making Pittsburg a better place truly embodies the spirit this award represents.
JT Construction donates to
Folds of Honor Scholarships
In 2023, JT Construction proudly supported Folds of Honor through a financial donation that helped fund scholarships for families of disabled military members and first responders. The annual event, hosted at Eagle Beverage in Frontenac in partnership with Anheuser-Busch, marked over 13 years of local involvement with the national nonprofit. Special guest Rocky Sickman—an Iran Hostage Crisis survivor and current Folds of Honor representative—honored Eagle Beverage with a commemorative jacket, recognizing their continued commitment to the cause. JT Construction was honored to attend and be part of this meaningful initiative.
Pittsburg Sunrise Rotary
Business of the Month
JT Companies was recognized as the Pittsburg Sunrise Rotary Business of the Month, celebrating its dedication to excellence, community involvement, and business leadership. This honor highlights the company's commitment to making a positive impact in the Pittsburg area through quality service and strong local engagement.
JT Companies Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Expansion
JT Companies has expanded its headquarters, doubling its square footage to accommodate growth. The expansion includes additional office space and new positions to support their continued success, reinforcing their commitment to innovation and community development.
What started out as a small, two person family operation, has now expanded to well over fifty employees. The sky is the limit and so far, JT Companies is on a path to see significant growth over the next several decades.