The people behind Langston Construction
General contracting since 1969, delivering mission-critical projects. The discipline you see on every Langston job site starts with the people who lead it.
Built on relationships, run on accountability
There is a saying that a company is only as good as its people. At Langston Construction, we believe we employ some of the very best in the industry. We are proud of the strong corporate team we have built over the years, people who are experienced, dedicated, and embody our mission to go above and beyond to build solid relationships with our clients.
That mission is led by our two principals, who together carry more than three decades of Langston tenure across critical infrastructure, industrial, commercial, and environmental construction.
Leadership
Evan Sowell
Evan Sowell has been with Langston Construction since 2006. He spent several years in Project Management, was elevated to ownership in 2009 and became a Principal in 2018. His wide range of work experience includes critical infrastructure, industrial, commercial, and environmental renovations, expansions, and new construction. Evan brings a strong work ethic, high-performance expectations, and accountability to the company’s operations and every aspect of the construction process. His attention-to-detail and ability to foresee and mitigate potential problems helps to assure that Langston Construction delivers an overall, better-quality product.
Evan’s ability to understand complicated processes and the high level of detail that many of the company’s client projects require has helped Langston Construction earn a reputation for delivering innovative process improvements. Evan’s management focus is on work acquisition, which includes estimating, safety, and operations for the company’s power utility and industrial clients. He is also responsible for prioritizing company strategy and long-term planning.
Professional
- Carolinas AGC Legislative Committee
- Carolinas AGC Foundation Trustee
- GC Qualifying Agent in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, Arizona, and Alabama
Community
- Scotsman Club, Board of Directors
- YMCA Pickens, Powdersville, Easley Governing Board
Previous Involvement
- YMCA Pickens Branch Advisory Board
- Pickens Career and Technology Center Advisory Board
- Class of 2014, “20 Under 40” Leadership Next Award Winner
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Business Administration. Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
We want our clients to feel like we obsess over their project and are focused on their needs. While customer service in most industries is becoming more and more digitally driven, we believe the best way to develop client relationships is through good, old-fashioned personal interaction.
Jim Roberts
Jim Roberts started with Langston Construction in 2005. He has worked in many operational areas at Langston, was elevated to ownership in 2009 and named a Principal in 2018. He has extensive experience in environmental, industrial, and commercial projects ranging from preconstruction services to project management. Jim has delivered successful project solutions by serving in many different roles and from many different perspectives: as a Superintendent, in Accounting, as a Project Manager and as Vice President of Operations.
As a result, he brings an in-depth understanding of the challenges inherent to each role in the construction process and is able to provide expert guidance to help Langston team members achieve desired project outcomes and satisfied clients. Jim strongly believes in the value that each person contributes to building Langston’s quality brand. He has been instrumental in building a corporate culture that encourages personal development and he finds it rewarding to see members of Langston’s team grow in their experience, so they can further their careers and better support their families.
Professional
- AIASC / CAGC Joint Committee Member and Co-Chair
- CAGC Utility Division Vice Chair and Chair
- CAGC Board of Directors
- GC Qualifying Agent in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida
- Utility Manager License, Georgia
- Certified Construction Manager
- Leadership Anderson, Class 33
Education
- Master of Construction Science Management, Clemson University
- Bachelor of Science, Ornamental Horticulture Landscape Design, Auburn University (Double Minor: Business; Landscape Design, Installation and Maintenance)
- Associate of Science, Southern Union State Community College
At the end of the day, this is one of the most rewarding professions there is. We are privileged at Langston Construction to build infrastructure that supports our communities and influences the lives of our team members in a positive way.
How the rest of our team works
Behind the principals is a team that has earned the same reputation, project after project, for delivering quality that holds up under scrutiny.
Construction discipline
We self-perform a substantial portion of every project we build. That means our own crews, our own equipment, and our own quality control driving the work that matters most. At Langston, self-performance is more than a delivery method, it is a disciplined approach that gives us greater control over safety, quality, productivity, and schedule. By putting accountability directly in the hands of our teams, we ensure the project schedule and the project specifications are executed to the same uncompromising standard.
Safety is the baseline, not the goal
Through decades of project experience, we have built a culture where safety is inseparable from execution. It is woven into every planning discussion, every pre-task review, and every field decision. Every member of our team is empowered to stop work when conditions are unsafe, without hesitation and without consequence. This unwavering commitment creates a work environment where risks are addressed before they become incidents, helping us deliver mission-critical projects safely, reliably, and on schedule.
Mentorship that builds careers
Our people learn construction from multiple perspectives, the way you have to learn it to lead it. Field operations, project management, estimating, accounting, and executive oversight are connected disciplines, not isolated functions. Team members who grow at Langston gain experience across the business, building a deeper understanding of how projects are won, planned, managed, and delivered. That breadth of experience allows our teams to communicate effectively with owners, engineers, subcontractors, and craft professionals alike, translating priorities into execution and ensuring every stakeholder is working toward the same outcome.
Building Partnerships That Last
At Langston, we believe construction is ultimately a people business. Every project represents a long-term relationship, not a one-time transaction. We become deeply invested in the success of the projects entrusted to us, bringing senior leadership, experienced judgment, and proactive communication to every phase of delivery. We approach each decision with an owner’s mindset, protecting schedules, budgets, quality, and risk with the same level of care our clients would expect from their own team. That commitment to stewardship is what turns successful projects into lasting partnerships.
Industry Involvement
Active leadership and committee participation in the construction-industry organizations that shape standards across the Carolinas and the country.
Carolinas AGC
Langston principals serve on the Carolinas AGC Legislative Committee, Foundation Trust Board, Utility Division leadership, and the AGC Board of Directors. Active participation in the regional industry organization that sets contractor standards across both Carolinas.
AGC of America
Recognized at the national level through the AGC Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) program, including the 2026 award. AGC of America membership anchors our connection to national construction safety and operational standards.
AIASC and CAGC Joint Committee
Langston leadership serves as Member and Co-Chair of the joint committee between the American Institute of Architects South Carolina and the Carolinas AGC, bridging design and construction disciplines on policy and project standards.
Team in Action
About the Langston leadership team
Who are the principals of Langston Construction?
Langston Construction is led by two principals: Evan Sowell and Jim Roberts. Both joined the company in the mid-2000s, were elevated to ownership in 2009, and were named Principals in 2018. Together they lead operations, work acquisition, safety, and long-term company strategy.
When was Langston Construction founded?
Langston Construction was founded in 1969. The company has operated as a delivers general contractor for more than five decades, delivering critical infrastructure, industrial, commercial, and environmental construction projects.
How long have Evan Sowell and Jim Roberts been with Langston Construction?
Evan Sowell joined Langston Construction in 2006. Jim Roberts joined in 2005. Both were elevated to ownership in 2009 and named Principals in 2018, giving the leadership team a combined tenure of more than four decades at the company.
What states does Langston Construction operate in?
Langston Construction is licensed and active, with delivers crews and named delivered projects spanning the Southeast, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Midwest. The company headquarters is in Piedmont, South Carolina.
How is Langston Construction organized?
Langston Construction is a privately held, principal-led general contractor. Two principals lead the company: Evan Sowell focuses on work acquisition, estimating, safety, and operations for power utility and industrial clients. Jim Roberts leads operations across environmental, industrial, and commercial projects, drawing on experience as Superintendent, in Accounting, as Project Manager, and as Vice President of Operations.
How does Langston Construction train and develop its team?
Team members are cross-trained across construction disciplines: field operations, project management, estimating, accounting, and safety. The company invests in applied construction-skill training, certification programs, and mentorship that lets people grow from field roles into project leadership. The career path of both principals, from operational roles to Principal, reflects this development model.
Does Langston Construction deliver work directly?
Yes. Langston Construction executes a substantial portion of the work on every project, including the disciplines that most directly affect schedule and quality. core scopes lets the company hold field crews, equipment, and quality control accountable to a single standard rather than coordinating across multiple subcontractors.