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Jay Fowler: Teachable Moments

By Matt Solis, Editor

Jay Fowler has spent the last four-plus decades on construction sites, but his original plan had him moving toward a much less labor-intensive career. “I wanted to be an industrial arts teacher,” he recalls. “My primary focus was metals and light construction, and my first job out of college was teaching wood shop. Unfortunately, being in the classroom wasn’t quite what I expected, so I got a job as a salesperson for a commercial machinery company and started working toward getting my contractor’s license.”

The tumultuous nature of the construction industry in the 1980s led Jay back to education and he spent the next three decades teaching, eventually rising to the position of high school principal. However, he kept his contractor’s license active the entire time so he could continue building homes on the side, and when he retired from education, he decided it was finally time to launch Fowler’s Construction Company. “It started as a part-time thing, but it quickly grew into a full-fledged design/build firm,” he explains. “Once I partnered with Ashley [Parker], our interior designer, the business really took off. Now we can show our clients exactly what their kitchens or bathrooms will look like in 3D before we even start building.”

At 70 years old, Jay still runs his company with the same enthusiasm and work ethic that guided his years in the public school system. “I like the process of talking to clients about the possibilities of their projects, working with their budgets and solving problems as they come up,” he says. “Teaching trained me how to work with all kinds of people, and that’s a huge asset in this line of work.”

A longtime resident of Clovis, Jay says he appreciates the community atmosphere of the San Joaquin Valley. “I’m fortunate to have made great friendships with my neighbors—some of my best friends live across the street and even right next door!” When he’s not managing construction projects, Jay stays busy by woodworking in his garage shop; traveling with his wife, Sally; and spending quality time with their son, daughter, and three grandchildren.

As for the future, Jay doesn’t expect Fowler’s Construction Company to live on after he steps away, but he’s not ready for retirement any time soon. “I like working—it’s fun for me,” he affirms. “But when that day eventually comes, I know there’s plenty of work to do on my own house, so I would probably start by taking on some of the projects that I’ve been putting off.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: If you could immediately travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Italy. I’ve always wanted to spend some time there and get engulfed in the culture.

Q: What’s your favorite type of food?
A: Mexican and Italian. I love pizza.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Binge-watch TV shows like “The Big Bang Theory” or “NCIS.”

Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: Thanksgiving. I like any holiday where family gets together.

Q: What’s your earliest memory?
A: Hanging out with my friends in the neighborhood where I grew up in Santa Rosa.