WHO WE ARE
Built on Experience. Driven by Relationships.
- Tenant Fit-OutS
- Design-Build
- ground-up construction
- value engineering
- General Contracting
- Construction Management
our story
Hammerhead Construction was founded in 2005 by Craig Carlson and Tom Nicholson with a clear vision: build a company large enough to provide real stability for our clients, yet small enough to remain personally involved in every project. Years later, we continue to operate by those same core principles.
a company large enough to provide real stability for our clients, yet small enough to remain personally involved in every project.
Our principals bring more than 60 years of combined commercial construction experience. We’ve successfully delivered a wide range of projects — from large multi-use facilities and medical offices to museums and skate parks. This breadth of experience allows us to handle diverse commercial construction challenges with confidence and expertise.
A Personal Approach to Construction
At Hammerhead, our entire team takes a deeply personal approach to every project. We treat each job as a reflection of both our professional and personal reputations. When we hand over the keys, we want our clients to feel genuinely well cared for and confident in the outcome.
We’re not the right fit if you’re planning the next Empire State Building. However, if you’re looking for a construction partner that delivers big-company professionalism with small-company personal attention — treating every project with care, no matter the size — then Hammerhead is the company for you.
Serving the Mid-Atlantic Region
Hammerhead Construction serves Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington, DC. We’re ready to assist with your project from the initial idea all the way through a fully developed scope of work.
Thank you for considering Hammerhead Construction. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Solutions That Deliver
leadership
Tom Nicholson
Owner, CEO
Tom is a cofounder of Hammerhead Construction and plays a key role in all aspects of company operations. As the company’s financial manager, he also oversees individual projects from initial design and development through contract negotiations to successful completion.
Tom grew up in the construction industry, gaining hands-on experience working alongside his father and brother from a young age. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. Before co-founding Hammerhead in 2005 with Craig, Tom gained valuable experience with several mid-sized commercial general contractors in Northern Virginia.
Tom’s project resume spans a broad range of work, including medical fit-outs and base buildings, industrial facilities, office buildings, auto dealerships, airport hangars, public and private educational facilities, daycare centers, recreational facilities, college and university projects, mass transit facilities, religious buildings, water treatment plants, veterinary clinics, infrastructure improvements, and site development.
Craig Carlson
Owner, President
Craig is a cofounder of Hammerhead Construction and remains actively involved in both company operations and the day-to-day management of individual projects. His responsibilities include overseeing all current projects, estimating and negotiating future work, contracting with owners and subcontractors, managing construction personnel, tracking job costs, and setting the overall direction and focus of the company.
Craig began his construction career as a teenager. After attending Concord University, he returned to the field as a carpenter on large commercial projects and quickly advanced to Carpentry Foreman. He then joined a large general contractor, where he progressed to Field Superintendent. In this role, he successfully managed numerous projects, including a $65 million multi-use facility in Chevy Chase, Maryland. After years running projects in the field, Craig transitioned to the office, serving first as a Project Manager and later as Director of Construction for a mid-sized general contractor. There, he coordinated multiple projects of varying sizes. This extensive experience ultimately led him to co-found Hammerhead Construction in 2005.
Josh Lewis
Sr. Project manager
Josh joined Hammerhead with valuable commercial construction management experience from other mid-sized general contractors in Northern Virginia. He began his career as an intern while attending Old Dominion University, where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering Technology. Since graduating, Josh has steadily advanced through the industry to his current role.
Josh manages projects from the initial site survey in the preconstruction phase through contract negotiations with owners’ representatives and subcontractors, and into full project management. As a skilled Project Manager, he also brings strong field expertise — he is OSHA and CPR/First Aid certified and is always ready to support our field superintendents on site when needed.
Jeff Zavalanski
Sr. Superintendent
Jeff has proven to be a key team member for Hammerhead Construction and is our longest tenured employee. He is dedicated to ensuring his projects are completed on time and in accordance with the contract documents. Jeff’s technical background allows him to fully comprehend plans and specifications and as a result he provides a great level of quality assurance to both Hammerhead and our clients.
Jeff is a hands-on project superintendent who is not afraid to jump in with a crew to help out or to clean up loose ends on a project. He is a great communicator with subcontractors and clients and, as a result of this and his experience and technical background, he has repeatedly proven to be capable of turning over fast-paced construction projects on schedule.
Tom Nicholson
Craig Carlson
Josh Lewis
Jeff Zavalanski
our culture
At Hammerhead Construction, we’ve built a strong company culture centered on teamwork, shared goals, and mutual respect. We work hard together, celebrate our successes as a team, and learn from every experience. At the same time, we recognize that our employees have families and lives outside of work. That’s why we actively promote a healthy balance and make sure there is life beyond the demands of construction projects.
We also enjoy celebrating our successes together through fun outside activities — whether it’s a baseball game, go-kart racing, or simply a relaxed get-together away from the office. These moments help reinforce that we are all part of the same team working toward the same goals. We truly value the dedicated team we’ve built at Hammerhead.
meet the team
Ian Updike
Project Manager
Chuck Lundy
Superintendent
Don Covey
Superintendent
Quentin Hastings
Superintendent
Travis Miller
Superintendent
Denver Walling
Superintendent
Elmer Hata
Superintendent
Nick Hughes
Assistant Project Manager
What Sets Hammerhead Apart
Big Company Capability
We have the experience, systems, and expertise to successfully manage commercial projects of varying size and complexity.
Small Company Attention
Our clients work directly with a hands-on team that values responsiveness, accountability, and personal service.
Trusted Partnerships
We’ve built long-standing relationships with skilled subcontractors, architects, and consultants who help us consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
Big Company Capability
We have the experience, systems, and expertise to successfully manage commercial projects of varying size and complexity.
Small Company Attention
Our clients work directly with a hands-on team that values responsiveness, accountability, and personal service.
Trusted Partnerships
We’ve built long-standing relationships with skilled subcontractors, architects, and consultants who help us consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
