Johnson & Galyon, Inc. Now a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of The H.T. Hackney Co.

Johnson & Galyon, Inc., one of East Tennessee’s oldest construction companies, is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of locally headquartered H.T. Hackney, one of the largest wholesale distributors in the United States. Therefore, Johnson & Galyon will continue to be locally owned, and will be operated by the current management team, with CEO Doug Kennedy continuing in his current position for at least five years.

Both companies are headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. and each have a history of 100+ years of operations in the East Tennessee community. The companies have a history of working together, as Johnson & Galyon is the construction company responsible for several existing H.T. Hackney facilities, including the state-of-the-art Family Brands facility in Lenoir City, Tenn. that was constructed after a devastating fire in 2017, and a current construction project with Great American Deli in Ooltewah, Tenn. Johnson & Galyon will continue to operate as it always has as a leader in general contracting and construction management in East Tennessee.

Kennedy became CEO of Johnson & Galyon in 2001, and in 2007 became the largest shareholder of the company. Johnson & Galyon, previously led by W.K. Johnson and Jim Bush, has served Knoxville and the region’s construction needs for 110 years building the region’s landmark projects over the last century. According to Kennedy, keeping the company locally owned and managed has been one of his main priorities. Kennedy’s focus as CEO has always been and will remain to build strong relationships with Johnson & Galyon customers, as well as creating a quality work environment for all its team members.

“Besides serving our clients, I have taken no responsibility more seriously than protecting the legacy and culture of Johnson & Galyon,” said Kennedy. “After years of studying and planning to pass the company to the next generation, I could not be more pleased with the acquisition of Johnson & Galyon by H.T. Hackney.”

Bill Sansom, Chairman & CEO of H.T. Hackney since 1983, has led the company through expansive growth with many successful acquisitions under his leadership, with Johnson & Galyon being the most recent. Sansom and Kennedy have worked together over the years through various community outreach and philanthropic efforts in the Knoxville community, building a strong foundation for this venture. Both are passionate about maintaining two local, privately held companies and appreciate the similar values and culture their companies are built on.

“I am excited about this opportunity for two great companies with common cultures to come together. H.T. Hackney has done a lot of business with Johnson & Galyon over the years, and we know the quality of their work and the integrity with which they serve their customers,” said Sansom. “Johnson & Galyon will continue to operate as always by serving their clients with great service and support, and we look forward to exploring future opportunities together.”

Johnson & Galyon will remain committed to the same values and culture the community has come to know and appreciate, ensuring its legacy into the second century of construction in the region.

###

About Johnson & Galyon, Inc.

Johnson & Galyon, Inc. has been building the remarkable in East Tennessee since 1914. The Knoxville-based company is a leader in general contracting and construction management, with specific expertise in healthcare, commercial, religious facilities, and a division that specializes in custom homes, as well as historic restorations and extensive work in the areas of education, sports, and recreation. Johnson & Gaylon is committed to building valued relationships with clients while providing exceptional construction services and serving the community with integrity. Johnson & Galyon has built some of the region’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Howard Baker Federal Courthouse, Blackberry Mountain Resort, the Tennessean Hotel, University of Tennessee Pratt Pavilion, and the Natalie Haslam Music Building, as well as most of the area’s hospitals. More about the company can be found at https://johnsongalyon.com.

About H.T. Hackney

The H.T. Hackney Co. is a diversified American wholesale distribution and manufacturing company headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. Founded in 1891, the company has grown over the years to become one of the largest grocery wholesalers in the nation, with operations covering much of the eastern United States. H.T. Hackney employs over 4,000 people and has 25 warehouses covering 22 states. More about the company can be found at https://www.hthackney.com/.