WHO WE ARE
The leadership team behind JCT.
Our Vision.
At JCT, our vision is to be a leading force in real estate development, shaping communities and transforming spaces to create a better future for generations to come. We aspire to be known for our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability in all our endeavors.
Our Mission.
Our mission is to provide exceptional service. We are committed to creating long-lasting value for our investors and partners by delivering strong results and completing projects on schedule and within budget. Our team boasts extensive expertise in all aspects of project life-cycle, encompassing development, acquisitions, and management.
Thomas J. Lee, Esq., CGC
Thomas is a Partner and the Founder of JCT Development New York, which has been in operation for over 20 years. While the company is based in New York, JCT Development has an active presence in Florida, and is currently providing construction management services in over Eleven (11) states.
During his 35-year career, Thomas has overseen the construction in most of the major industry asset classes, including multi-family, hospitality, education, warehouse, retail, automotive and medical. Under his leadership the construction management arm of the company has worked with various national companies including Salvatore Ferragamo, Chase Bank, Toyota, Lexus, Cadillac, CubeSmart and most recently DeBartolo Development, where he successfully managed the construction of over 600 market rate apartments with a budget exceeding 100 million dollars. His last project included assisting in the construction management of the world’s only side-by-side Toyota/Lexus dealership, located 4 stories above street level accessed by an iconic helix ramp, this project budget exceeded 170 million dollars.
Currently, Thomas is the construction manager for a client that is repurposing 12 properties scattered through 11 states with an overall anticipated budget exceeding $500 million dollars. This client is a mission-based development company working on the large-scale conversion of underutilized/abandoned hotels and hospitals to housing for veterans. In addition, the existing lobby/common area spaces of these buildings are being converted to both educational/vocational training for veterans. Thomas is spearheading all facets of these projects including acquisition, entitlements/zoning, planning, and budgeting.
In addition, JCT was just engaged as the construction manager for the flagship Cadillac Dealership on 11th Avenue in New York City. This project represents Cadillac’s reintroduction to the New York Market and will include the latest in technology and brand design. Thomas and his team have been working directly with Cadillac United States leadership to ensure they deliver this iconic brand a world class facility.
Thomas holds a Juris Doctorate Degree, achieving a cum laude distinction, from Seton Hall University School of Law, and is a licensed and practicing New York State attorney. He also is a licensed real estate broker in New York, a licensed real estate sales professional in Florida and holds general contracting licenses in several states. These broad disciplines along with his extensive industry experience have allowed Thomas to ensure the success of his clients’ projects by utilizing his comprehensive view of the construction industry.
Matthew P. Smith
Matthew is the COO of JCT Development NY, which has been in operation for over 20 years. Matthew is a forward-thinking and highly accomplished Real Estate Executive, with profit and loss responsibility, as well as extensive domestic and international experience in project management and development, construction management, key account management, corporate solutions, business development, quality and accuracy assurance, and facilities management team leadership. With exceptional financial acumen, plans, facilitates and directs strategic initiatives to expand opportunities for increasing revenue and the client base. Matthew continues to demonstrate strong leadership and collaborative skills to consistently deliver exceptional results, while achieving the ongoing goals of stakeholders
During his 26-year career, Matthew has worked all over the world representing some of the largest companies in the Construction and Real Estate Industry. This includes directing the retail project management team for JPMorgan Chase across all the United States. Matthew oversaw a project management team of 160 individuals countrywide. That team completed 5,000 projects with a total capital spend of $250,000,000, recognized as highest volume of projects ever completed in one year by JP Morgan Chase.
Matthew has also served as the CEO for JLL’s Indonesian operations. This included all integrated facilities management services, project development services and transaction management services. Matthew oversaw a staff of over 350 individuals spread out over 10 different islands. During this time Matthew oversaw the completion of a new Head Quarters building for the Japanese bank SMBC. This was a 40-story tower located in the business center of Jakarta and cost $300,000,000 (USD) to build.
Prior to this Matthew lead HSBC’s construction project management across the Americas, including Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Matthew oversaw team of 100 employees that managed all of HSBC’s construction work, including bank branch, office, program management and move management, averaging $200,000,000 (USD) per year.
Early in Matthew’s career he worked as a Project Manager at some of the largest Construction firms in NYC. At this time Matthew was focused on delivering both large and small Corporate Interior projects for clients such as Morgan Stanley, Pfizer, Lehman Brothers, LVMH, JP Morgan and many others.
Matthew graduated from Penn State University with a BFA in Theatrical Arts and completed the Diploma Program at NYU for Construction Project Management.
John Macabre
John joined JCT Development in 2019 as a Partner after six years as the CEO of REDCOM CM and five years as the Vice President of Construction for REDCOM Design & Construction running the NYC division of the company.
John has worked in the New York City construction industry for over 35 years, Through experience in this unique construction market he has acquired the skills to ensure that the client’s interests are protected throughout the entire construction life cycle, from design through to completion and final acceptance. John is a licensed NYC General Contractor.
John has in‐depth knowledge and hands‐on experience with commercial, high‐end residential and historic preservation work in New York City, the Hamptons and the Hudson Valley of New York state which has provided the solid foundation of understanding necessary to be able to have hands‐on involvement with all aspects of construction projects, from initial concept through pre-‐construction, estimates, project schedules, retention of consultants, selection of contractors, oversight of onsite progress and completion of projects.
John’s creative problem-solving abilities ensure that when an issue arises, the solution to the problem is developed and implemented in a timely manner, in order to minimize the impact to the schedule and the finances of the client.
Extell Development & The Stanhope Hotel
Retained by Extell Development as the owner’s representative and construction manager to convert The Stanhope Hotel (995 Fifth Avenue, NYC), into twenty‐six, very exclusive high‐end residential condominium, with units ranging from 4,200 to 9,000 SF. These were the first condominiums in NYC to sell for more than $4,000/SF.
JMI, Director of Construction
A general contracting firm located in New York City; completed projects including historic preservation, commercial, a multi-‐media entertainment venue, and high‐end residential gut renovations in both free-‐standing and multiple dwelling units. At its peak, JMI had over 80 employees, with multiple project managers and a fully-‐staffed back office.
Turner Construction
Ground-up EF Hutton (31 West 52nd St.), Ground-up Citicorp at Court Square in Long Island City, 53rd @ 3rd Lipstick Building curtain wall implementation, pre-construction work for 450 Lexington Avenue, and mock‐ups for the NYC Museum of Television & Radio project.
James A McAdoo
James McAdoo is a Vice President at JCT Development, overseeing its Outsourced Project Management division. As the division leader, Mr. McAdoo works with several iconic global brands to help them meet their future expansion and growth targets. Throughout his career, Mr. McAdoo has worked in leadership positions, both as an entrepreneur and for large corporate firms.
Notably, Mr. McAdoo led the project management efforts for McDonalds Corporation’s New England projects. During this time, he successfully managed a team of 2 Senior Project Managers, 9 Project Managers, and 5 Project Coordinators. Under his leadership, the team executed McDonalds projects throughout New England, Upstate New York, NE/Central PA and the NY/NJ/CT metropolitan area. Over a 5 year period, Mr. McAdoo oversaw a team that managed an average of 100- 250 projects a year, with an annual budget of between $110 million and $250 million. Prior to that, Mr. Mcadoo led Barnes & Nobles’ expansion into college campuses over a six year period. His team oversaw all phases of design, entitlement and construction for more than 35 locations across the US. Additionally, Mr. McAdoo served as the Director of Store Planning and Construction for Aerosoles brands. He was responsible for directing the design and construction of all new and remodel stores in addition to the repair and maintenance of 125 existing stores.
Mr. McAdoo was also the Manager of Store Development at Toys R Us and a member of the company’s prototype committee. In this position, he supported the startup of the Concept 2000 store prototype and assumed the lead role in managing the company’s remodel program.
