We Work Together
Earnest Contracting is proud to be a company that is defined by longevity. We build roads that last and our employees build careers with us that span 10, 20, 30 and even 40+ years. Of our current employee family more than half have worked with E-CON for over 10 years, and a quarter have 20 plus years. We wouldn't be the company we are today without the investment and commitment of our amazing work family.
From left to right: Bruce Creel ('77), Harvey Guillot ('88), John Rogers ('80), Sly Qualls ('78), Pat Malloy ('85)
The Earnest Contracting story begins over 60 years ago with A.D. McCullin (Mac) and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Mac joined the CCC in the 1940’s and did his part in WWII by building runways for the growing US Army Air Corp. After the war he started Cunningham McCullin Construction with a focus on dirt work for road construction.
Best Yet Builders is Born
L.J.’s retirement is short lived when he and Joey decide to start Best Yet Builders (BYB) in 2000. While leaving asphalt construction to Martin Marietta, BYB focuses on concrete road construction and works primarily in the Northwest Louisiana area. As one of its first jobs, the young company hits the ground running and takes on building a 5 mile section of Hwy. 171 in Grand Cane, LA. To facilitate the logistics of the new company, L.J. starts Earnest Trucking.
Opportunity Grows
L.J. Earnest, Inc. quickly expanded their hot mix operations from Shreveport to Plain Dealing, then onto Hope, Arkansas, and Texarkana. With four stationary plants and one portable plant business grows exponentially in the 90's.
1981
1978
A 3rd Generation
In 1978 L.J.’s son, Joey Earnest joins L.J. Earnest, Inc. and the family business continues to grow.
L.J. Earnest, Inc.
In 1966, L.J. Earnest along with his father-in-law, Mac McCullin, started L.J. Earnest, Inc., a road construction company. In the years to come, the company expanded into many aspects of road building.
Asphalt on the Road
The addition of the hot mix plant was a great success and in 1982 L.J. Earnest, Inc. purchases a portable hot mix plant. The portable plant allows them to service a greater area in Louisiana and southern Arkansas.
Martin Marietta Merger
After 33 years in road construction L.J. retires and L.J. Earnest, Inc. is sold to Martin Marietta in 1999. At the time of the sale, L.J. Earnest, Inc. had grown to 400 employees and 120 trucks.
The 4th Generation
After graduating from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN with a BS in Civil Engineering, Justin Earnest (Joey’s son) joins the family business in 2011.
Paving for the Future
From 2013 to the present BYB has been proud to build several large projects that have helped to improve and grow the Shreveport / Bossier City area.
BYB Trucking Hits the Road
L.J. retires in 2009 and Earnest Trucking is rebranded as Best Yet Trucking.
2009
2000
1999
1990
1982
1966
Expansion to Asphalt
In 1981 L.J. Earnest, Inc. purchases its first hot mix asphalt plant. The new plant is just the beginning of almost 20 years of growth.
It's a Family Tradition...
2011
2013
2021
In 2021 Best Yet Builders is rebranded as Earnest Contracting (E-CON) and begins a new phase in the company’s story. E-CON’s focus will include all facets of road construction while making a conscious effort to work close to home and close to family. With over 60 years of experience, the best is yet to come.
