FS 360 Celebrates Fifteenth Anniversary

FS 360 Celebrates Fifteenth Anniversary

FS 360 President and CEO Ernest Ellis knows the importance of flexibility and evolution when building a successful enterprise. He has used these strategies to transform a company initially planned as a distressed asset management firm into a thriving construction company, reaching its fifteenth anniversary in 2023. Ellis calls himself a “serial entrepreneur,” having led several companies since starting his first company in the late 1980s. One of his previous companies was a successful telecommunications company that he sold in 2006 before launching FS 360 in 2008. However, FS 360 is allowing Ellis to build a legacy and impact the construction industry in the two markets where the company operates—Atlanta, Georgia, and Dallas, Texas.

FS 360 opened its doors during the 2008 real estate market crash to help clients manage and dispose of distressed properties created by the economic downturn. However, Ellis and his business partners soon determined that industry practices did not align with their personal beliefs and values, so they redirected the company toward the construction market, providing services to clients in the Metropolitan Atlanta market.

Although success didn’t occur overnight, the strategy proved successful as the company made inroads at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport during the early stages of the new international terminal project. “Sometimes you have to pivot. We did, and we were fortunate because the International Terminal at the airport was the only major project happening in 2009,” Ellis said. FS 360 leveraged its relationships within the industry and found work providing high-end finishes and industrial construction services to general contractors working on the terminal project. The completed International Terminal opened in 2012.

FS 360 was part of a joint venture team led by Skanska to complete the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport Concourse T North Extension. The scope of work for FS 360 included managing demolition, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services.

(Photo courtesy of Skanska)

Sticky Relationships

FS 360’s primary business strategy is to create “sticky relationships” with clients, leading to repeat business and multiple projects over time. “We don’t chase projects; we chase relationships,” Ellis said. The company has secured relationships with several major corporations and government agencies during its fifteen-year history. These clients include Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, Jones Lang Lasalle, Wells Fargo, and others. The company performs much of its work in the interior finishes segment of the construction industry. It has also expanded into a full-service contractor, completing new builds and civil and industrial construction services. “We want to be able to service all the needs of our clients for whatever type of project they have,” Ellis said.

One of the sticky relationships that has been particularly successful is FS 360’s partnership with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship (RICE). FS 360 was selected as the general contractor to lead the renovation and redevelopment of the 54,000-square-foot RICE facility near Downtown Atlanta. While working on the project, the RICE president & CEO introduced Ellis to representatives of Chase Bank, who planned to have a space within the RICE facility. Ellis began talking with Chase Bank to complete the project, and the successful relationship led to seven more contracts to complete Chase Bank projects. “We have completed seven branch banks for Chase, including four new buildings and three renovation projects,” Ellis said.

Another sticky relationship is FS 360’s ongoing projects at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The company has continued working at the airport since the first contract on the International Terminal. It has expanded the relationship with airlines operating at the terminal, concession operators doing business there, and the City of Atlanta’s Aviation Department, which owns the airport. “The airport industry is our ‘stake in the ground’ industry. It’s where we started,” Ellis said.

FS 360 President and CEO Ernest Ellis presented the National Association of Minority Contractors of Atlanta’s Maynard H. Jackson Hard Hat Award to Atlanta Mayor Andre’ Dickens in September 2023.

(Photo courtesy of NAMC, Atlanta)

Over the years, FS 360 continued to build relationships with larger contractors working at the airport and has completed several joint venture projects with a total value exceeding $500 million. The joint ventures allowed the company to learn from larger companies while gaining experience on projects utilizing alternative delivery methods like the construction manager at risk contracting method. FS 360 has since turned the experience as a joint venture partner into new opportunities as the lead contractor on other projects using the CMAR delivery method. “We were able to learn a lot about the delivery methods without risk as a JV partner to larger companies,” Ellis said.

The company’s experience at the Atlanta Airport has led to expansion into the Dallas market through contracts at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Sticky relationships with several airlines operating at the Atlanta airport facilitated opportunities at DFW. “At one point, we had contracts with five different airlines at DFW,” Ellis said. The airlines included Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines.

Industry Leadership

The rise of FS 360 in the Atlanta construction community has fostered Ellis’ rise as a leader in the minority business community, especially in organizations supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the region. Ellis is active in organizations like the Atlanta Business League and the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council. He also served his third year as president of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC).

FS 360 was a member of the joint venture team completing the 64,179-square-foot City of Atlanta MLK Recreation & Aquatic Center in 2017. FS 360 was also the prime contractor for the site development and civil scope of work.

The NAMC presidency particularly impacts Ellis because it promotes advocacy efforts to increase opportunities for African-American and Hispanic-owned construction companies in the Greater Atlanta Region. Although Atlanta is more successful than many regions at creating opportunities for minority-owned firms, Ellis realizes there is still a long way to go. “Our mission is to make sure Black and Brown contractors are allowed access to deal flow and wealth building in every product category we are qualified for,” Ellis said.

Under Ellis’ leadership, the NAMC Chapter has secured 25 corporate partnerships with organizations committed to expanding opportunities. One of the most recent partnerships is with the development team for the Centennial Yards Atlanta project. This 50-acre urban revitalization project will transform underutilized property in Downtown Atlanta into a community with businesses, retail establishments, entertainment, and residential apartments.

The project anticipates more than $5 billion in contracts and targets 38% participation for minority-owned firms in the development. Ellis is excited that NAMC is at the table with the development team and is excited about the opportunities the project should provide to NAMC members. “They have intentionally brought us in and involved NAMC in the process. I don’t know of a private developer in the country on a $5 billion program that has embraced DE&I at a percentage of 38%,” Ellis said.

The Next Fifteen Years

After pausing to celebrate fifteen years of growth, Ellis also plans for the company’s continued success. His plan builds on the strong relationships FS 360 has with long-time business partners and how to continue fostering the growth of the company’s 35 employees to maximize their full potential. Ellis says FS 360 has an “awesome team of young, smart, and ambitious builders.” He wants the company to pursue projects that challenge them to grow even further.

FS 360 was also a member of the joint venture team completing the construction of canopies at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as part of the ATL Next program. FS 360’s work on the project included means and methods of construction, safety, coordination, and scheduling of all work, closeout, and warranty.

(Photo courtesy of HJAIA)

These projects include working with Turner Construction on three jobs for the Family Health Centers of Georgia. One of those projects is a level 1 trauma center at Grady Hospital, which will add healthcare experience to the company’s resume. Another project is working on the Centennial Yards development during its early stages, aiming to perform more significant projects as the development progresses.

Ultimately, Ellis’ goal is to position FS 360 to leave a legacy for the company’s employees and the communities where they reside. “I spend a lot of time thinking about what the company’s next iteration looks like. We want to continue impacting the community and employing folks from the community. Even if they don’t stay with us long-term, we want to know we left them as a better person than when they came in.”