© HITT Contracting Inc. | Terms of Use
I've always had a passion for this business ever since I was a little boy, I didn't want to do anything else.
Russell Hitt
Chairman Emeritus
A Strong Foundation
Timeline of Tradition
From a small family house in Arlington, VA to offices across the country, our steady growth over the past eight decades can be attributed to the longstanding relationships we develop with our clients. Scroll through our timeline to see how we've evolved.
1935
Chairman Russell Hitt is born April 12, 1935. Pictured here: HITT co-founders Warren and Myrtle Hitt with Russell, age three.
1930–1939
W.A. HITT Decorating Co. began as a small, family-owned business run from the dining room table of Warren and Myrtle Hitt's home in Arlington, VA.
1937
W.A. Hitt Decorating Co. started out of the Hitt home with six employees. The first job for the company was an enclosed porch at the residence of Grayson Ahalt in Falls Church, Virginia.
Warren & Myrtle
W.A. Hitt Decorating Co. earns its first $100,000 year and reaches 20 employees by 1939.
1940–1949
HITT Decorating—Contracting Co. continues to grow and is incorporated in 1943; the effects of wartime are felt with continued labor shortages in the workplace.
1948
W.A. HITT Decorating Co. changes to HITT Decorating - Contracting Co. Inc. and moves to 1400 Wilson Boulevard.
1940
Lewis Baker, HITT's longest tenured employee of 52 years, is hired.
HITT B-25 Mitchell
From 1939 to 1945, many HITT employees left work to fight in World War II. A North American B-25 Mitchell hung in the warehouse of HITT's former headquarters as a tribute to past employees who served in World War II. This plane was also used in the film Forever Young starring Mel Gibson and Jamie Lee Curtis.
1944
A plaque at the entrance of HITT's headquarters office commemorates all of the HITT employees who served during World War II.
1950–1959
HITT Decorating—Contracting Co. Inc. begins house construction in the northern Virginia area and the industry moves from plaster to drywall.
1954
The peanut M&M is introduced.
1955
HITT Decorating—Contracting Co. Inc. reaches $1 million in revenue and the company grows to nearly 60 employees.
1956
Russell Hitt starts in the office full-time after working in the field since he was 10 years old.
1960–1969
HITT Decorating—Contracting Co. expands its reach to Baltimore, MD and moves its office to a new location at 921 North Quincy Street.
HITT graph
1969
Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon; HITT would later build the NASA HQ in 2014.
HITT Van
HITT Decorating—Contracting Co. Inc. is awarded its first large-scale commercial projects for Quadrangle Development at 2023 M Street in 1972.
1970–1989
HITT Contracting Inc. reaches $50 million in revenue and grows to more than 100 employees. For the first time a receptionist, labor director, safety director, marketing director and a project accountant are hired.
1977
Page Communications in Vienna, VA becomes HITT's first $1 million project.
1978
Founder Warren Hitt passes away.
1982
Co-President Jim Millar starts as a laborer.
1984
Co-President Brett Hitt starts in the office as an assistant project manager.
1ST SUB DAY
The first annual Subcontractor Appreciation Day is held in 1984.
1989
HITT Decorating—Contracting Co. Inc is changed to HITT Contracting Inc.
1990–1999
HITT Contracting Inc. opens two new regional offices in South Carolina and Georgia while headquarters expands its own campus with the addition of a Paint Department.
1991
HITT Contracting Inc. completes the first "dirt-to-done" project, Dulles Airport Midfield Terminal.
1993
HITT Contracting Inc. moves to 2704 Dorr Avenue in Fairfax, VA in 1993.
1996
HITT Contracting Inc. breaks ground on its first campus project for AOL in Dulles, VA.
1999
Subcontractor Relations Department is created; HITT reorganizes teams into market sectors.
1998
HITT opens regional offices in Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC.
2000–2009
At 530 employees and 96 cars and vans, HITT Contracting Inc. outgrows its former location and relocates to 2900 Fairview Drive in Falls Church, VA.
ENR Top 100
HITT makes ENR's Top 100 General Contractors List in 2001.
2001
Co-founder Myrtle Hitt passes away. To commemorate her legacy and contributions to the commercial construction industry, the American Subcontractor Association of Metro Washington named its lifetime career achievement award “The Myrtle Hitt Pinnacle Award.” Each year, the association honors those who have followed in Myrtle's footsteps in lifetime advocacy of the construction industry.
2003
HITT Institute holds its first training class.
2004
Revenues grow to more than $500 million.
2005
HITT is named a "Best Place to Work" by the Washington Business Journal and a "Great Place to Work" by Washingtonian Magazine in 2005.
2005
HITT opens a regional office in South Florida.
2006
HITT Headquarters moves to its new, green building at 2900 Fairview Park Drive in Falls Church, VA.
2010–2019
With more than 11 office locations nationwide, HITT Contracting Inc. continues to expand from a family-owned and managed firm to become one of the 100 largest general contractors in the United States.
2011
HITT rolls out its Hospitality sector focused on construction of some of the world’s most recognizable luxury hotel brands.
2012
HITT celebrates its 75th anniversary.
2012
HITT opens a regional office in Denver, CO.
2013
HITT wins ABC National Eagle Award for Kaiser Permanente.
2013
2013
2013
Atlantic Plumbing is named Washington Business Journal's 13th Largest Construction Project.
Brett Hitt
Brett Hitt is 1 of 5 leaders recognized as a Most Admired CEO by Washington Business Journal in 2013.
2014
HITT celebrates its 20th anniversary of Subcontractor Appreciation Day.
2014
HITT wins CREBA Award for Service Provider of the Year.
2014
HITT wins Washington Business Journal's Best Places to Work for the 10th year in a row.
2015
The Washington Post names HITT Contracting Inc. the DC area's #6 Top Workplace in the large companies category.
2015
Russell Hitt was honored with the Virginia Tech Myers-Lawson School of Construction Award and selected for induction into the 2015 Arlington Business Hall of Fame.
2015
HITT Contracting receives a Pyramid Award in the Healthcare - Less than $10 Million category of ABC’s Excellence in Construction Awards for the GWU Hospital Breast Care Center in Washington, DC.
2016
HITT acquires Trademark Construction in Texas. The new office operates as Trademark HITT, continuing the traditions of quality construction held by both companies.
2016
HITT takes on The Big Apple! After an acquisition of Americon Construction in New York City, the newly formed Americon HITT is poised to serve Clients in Manhattan and beyond.
#1 in 2016
HITT earns the title of #1 Top Workplace among large companies by The Washington Post.
2017
16 HITT projects earn Excellence in Construction Awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors
1000 Employees
For the first time, HITT grew to 1,000 team members nationwide.
2017: 80 Stories
HITT celebrates its 80th year in business, toasting to the hard work and dedicated team members and partners that got it there.
California Expansion
HITT expands westward with a new office in San Jose, CA. Poised to tackle corporate interiors and mission critical construction, the team is expanding our reach even further.
2017: New Leadership
HITT ends its 80th year with a history-making transition in leadership. From here, we’re looking ahead to tackling new challenges and elevating the business of building.
Our Culture
Love Your Job
View from the Top
Named the number one employer amongst large companies in The Washington Post’s 2016 Top Workplaces survey, we see our people as one of our greatest assets.
Shared Passion
What We Aim For
The HITT Way and Mission are on our walls so we see them every time we walk by. For service to client and community, they are our guide for everything we do.
HITT Way
The HITT Way #1
Always take the high road, no matter how difficult the circumstance.
The HITT Way #2
Good enough is never enough, if we can do better.
The HITT Way #3
Produce a work ethic that continually reflects positively on HITT.
The HITT Way #4
Our words and actions are a reflection on us; be gracious and humble.
The HITT Way #5
Lead by example for those that come after us to carry forward.
The HITT Way #6
Manage aggressively and stay flexible.
The HITT Way #7
Your customer doesn't know how much you know until they know how much you care.
The HITT Way #8
Done is Done!
HITT Mission
Buzz Board
HITT Institute quote
Knowing that I am going to hang out with these guys all day. That is why I get out of bed in the morning. Well, that and my love of coffee.
Ronnie Holmes
HITT Institute Safety Instructor
Community Contribution
As one of the five pillars of our Corporate Responsibility Program, we take our commitment to the community seriously. As part of our program, we've identified causes centered on education, health and wellness, and community building that align with our values and allow us to maximize our impact.
Eli's Escape
South Florida run
HITT South Florida has participated in the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run for the past three years. As one of the largest corporate races in the United States, the event is a fun way to promote running and walking as a means to a fit, healthy lifestyle.
DCBIA Community Improvement Day
For over 15 years, HITT volunteers have helped make dramatic improvements to a chosen DC public facility.
SED Pub Games
The Pub Games are an annual fundraising event to benefit the Spanish Education Development Center.
JDRF Video
Children's National Medical Center 5K
The Race for Every Child is a fun-filled event that raises funds for families with specialized medical care needs.
Rebuilding Together
Through the WBC, HITT donates building supplies and volunteer manpower to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods.
Ice Bucket Challenge
Work Hard, Play Hard
Chili Cook-off
Sometimes things get a little cheesy at our annual chili cook-off.
Chili Cook-off 2015
Steve at breakfast
Softball team
Softball text
Pumpkin Russell
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Cornhole Tournament
Summer cornhole tournaments are one of the newer ways in which we take a break and have fun together.
Winning
Lindsay, Sarah, and Jacqui bring home the women's basketball gold at the 2014 JDRF Real Estate Games.
Water Sports
Safety is always top of mind, even at Corporate Interior's team retreat.
Ice cream
HITT by the Numbers
Strength in Numbers
Safety
0.60
Our commitment to our customers starts and ends with safety. We firmly believe that safety is an integral part of the construction process, on an equal basis with production and quality. With an experience modification rate (EMR) of 0.60, HITT is an award-winning leader in construction safety. Click below for a comprehensive overview of HITT's award-winning safety program.
Financial Strength
100% Financially Responsible
HITT Contracting has a strong track record of controlled revenue growth and consistent profitability. We use our own financial resources to partially fund projects (i.e., pre-purchase materials, supplies, and equipment; pay subcontractors ahead of the owner’s payments), working to ensure timely delivery and high-quality construction to best serve all owners.
Sustainability
Building Better. Building Green.
The US Green Building Council’s LEED Rating Systems have redefined the way the industry thinks about the places we live, work, and learn. HITT has been actively engaged in LEED projects since the inception of the program, and our team of internal subject matter experts helps ensure we stay abreast of the changing marketplace and support client goals as new regulations and third-party certifications gain traction. Delivering sustainable building projects and operating sustainably is just one piece of our corporate responsibility program, and we invite you to learn more about both using the links below.
National Reach
One HITT Nationwide
Across the nation, HITT is a leader in the commercial construction industry. Ranked by ENR as one of the top 50 largest general contractors in the nation, HITT maintains offices in Washington, DC, Richmond, Raleigh, Atlanta, Houston, Charleston, California, Seattle, New York, and South Florida. Our locations are consistently ranked in the top lists of their metro-areas.
2018 Rankings
| PUBLICATIONS | CATEGORY | RANKING |
|---|---|---|
| Building Design + Construction Magazine (BD+C) | 2018 Top Contractors [2018 Giants 300 Report] | 27 |
| Building Design + Construction Magazine (BD+C) | Top Green Building Construction Firms | 27 |
| Engineering News-Record (ENR) | Top 400 Contractors | 43 |
| Engineering News-Record (ENR) | Top 100 Construction Management-at-Risk Firms | 22 |
| Engineering News-Record (ENR) | Top 100 Contractors by New Contract | 50 |
| Washington Business Journal (WBJ) | Top General Contractors | 3 |
| Washington Business Journal (WBJ) | Top Interior Construction Firms | 2 |
News Hub
News Hub
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