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AJ Johnson

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Creating New Beginnings: The Story Behind AJ Johnson and MaeWest Construction

 

For AJ Johnson, success has never been measured only by the homes he builds. It is measured by the people who live in them, the relationships formed along the way, and the legacy each project leaves behind.

 

As owner and CEO of MaeWest Construction, AJ has built his company around craftsmanship, communication, and compassion—values instilled in him long before he held a contractor’s license. Today, MaeWest Construction serves clients throughout the Grand Strand of South Carolina which includes Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Little River, and Cherry Grove. They specialize in luxury custom homes, pools, and select commercial projects. But behind every project is a purpose that reaches far beyond construction.

 

“My story isn’t about me,” AJ says. “It’s about my family, the people we serve, and who we are as a company.” That perspective defines both the man and the business.

 

Construction has been part of AJ’s life since childhood. Growing up on Hilton Head Island, he worked beside his father, who has devoted more than five decades to the industry. His family may not have had an abundance of material wealth, but they gave him something far more valuable: a strong work ethic, unwavering integrity, and faith through difficult seasons.

 

Those lessons shaped a career centered on service. AJ earned a degree in biblical studies from North Greenville University and a master’s degree from the School of Architecture from Clemson University. He then spent 15 years in medical software and spinal robotics consulting, supporting pediatric neurosurgeons. The work was meaningful, but the travel came at a cost.

 

“I had spent nearly 1,500 days on the road,” he recalls. “I realized my children did not need another business trip from their dad. They needed me at home.”

 

That realization prompter a leap of faith. Returning to the profession he had learned from his father, AJ founded MaeWest Construction in 2023 with a vision of building not only exceptional homes, but also meaningful experiences for every client. In 2023, he founded MaeWest Construction with a vision to create not only exceptional homes, but meaningful experiences for every client. The company’s motto, “Creating New Beginnings,” reflects that mission. 

 

The name itself carries a story. Years earlier, while serving as a youth leader, AJ used the World War II-era “MaeWest” life jacket as a sermon illustration. The vest helped pilots survive after landing in the water, and AJ saw it as a symbol of hope during life’s hardest moments. Just as the inflatable vest helped pilots survive after hitting the water, he believed everyone eventually reaches moments in life when they need a fresh start. 

 

His wife recognized how closely that message matched the company they hoped to build and suggested the name MaeWest Construction. It represented more than a brand. It represented a promise to help create new beginnings for families and communities.

 

That philosophy reaches into every part of the business. MaeWest donates surplus building materials, opens renovation sites so reusable items can benefit others before demolition, and encourages trade partners to work together rather than against one another.

 

“We don’t compete; we collaborate,” AJ says. “The best idea does not always come from one person, and strong projects are built by strong teams.”

 

That leadership style has helped MaeWest Construction grow quickly without losing sight of its values. The company recently completed projects as the general contractor for HGTV’s Battle on the Beach, Season 5, showcasing its craftsmanship throughout the Grand Strand. At the same time, MaeWest continues building luxury custom homes across coastal South Carolina.

 

Their most recent project holds a particularly special place in AJ’s story. A massive multimillion-dollar beachfront renovation became both the company’s latest flagship project and one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. Because zoning regulations prohibited demolition, the home had to be completely reimagined within its original structure.

 

AJ personally designed the transformation, incorporating structural steel beams, expansive living spaces, multiple outdoor decks, an observation deck overlooking the Atlantic, and a boardwalk extending across the dunes to the beach. Due to the complexities and scale of the project, AJ viewed it as opportunity to create something special. Emotionally, it became something much greater. During demolition, AJ discovered sections of the home’s original wood flooring. When the homeowner shared the family memories connected to those floors, he quietly saved portions of the wood and had custom picture frames made. The gift allowed a piece of the original home—and the memories held within it—to remain with the family for generations.

 

“We are building homes,” AJ says, “but we are also protecting people’s stories.”

 

Today, MaeWest Construction continues to grow, with multiple custom homes breaking ground and approximately $4 million in projects underway this year. AJ's father now helps oversee field operations, while AJ focuses on guiding clients through every stage of the building process, from the first conversation to the final walkthrough. His wife, mother, and even his daughters are part of the family business, ensuring the same values that shaped him continue shaping the next generation. For AJ, every project begins with craftsmanship, but it ends with something far greater. It's another opportunity to create a new beginning.

 

In His Own Words

 

How has your father influenced both your leadership and the growth of MaeWest Construction?

 

He's been my greatest mentor. When I started the company, I reached out to the wisest person I knew. Having him oversee the day-to-day project management allowed me to focus on growing the business. More importantly, he taught me how to think through construction problems years ago. Those lessons still guide me every day.

 

What defines MaeWest Construction today?

 

We focus on exceptional craftsmanship, communication, and treating people with kindness and respect. We believe in collaborating instead of competing, serving our community whenever possible, and remembering that every project is about people, not just buildings.

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AJ Johnson
CEO and Owner
MaeWest Construction  

Website: https://maewestco.com  

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aj-johnson-18995a54

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MaeWestConstruction

Instagram: www.instagram.com/maewest_construction