Liza, a trailblazer since Jostin Construction’s inception in 1998, began her career as an educator and has consistently propelled the intentional growth of individuals and their skill sets within the organization. Her visionary leadership has been instrumental in defining Jostin’s WHY – a commitment to creating and providing a diversity of opportunities for all.

In her role as Chief People Officer, Liza oversees all facets of Jostin’s Human Resources, and employee development initiatives, dedicated to removing barriers and empowering Jostin’s employees to reach their full potential. Her impact extends beyond the corporate realm, as she serves as a longstanding member of the Board of Trustees for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Additionally, Liza actively contributes to the board of the Workforce Innovation Center at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. She also lends her expertise as a valued member of the Board of Advisors for MadTree Brewing Company.

Beyond her corporate and philanthropic pursuits, Liza is the Principal Owner of Brewster Pumping, a first-generation, woman-owned concrete pumping business. She is a recognized thought leader in workforce development and a passionate advocate for community engagement.

Notably, Jostin bears the namesake of Liza and her husband Albert’s first two sons, Joshua, and Justin, embodying the essence of familial and entrepreneurial synergy.

Liza’s commitment to innovation, community, and people extends to her personal life, where her two grandsons hold a special place as her favorite people in the world.

Since joining Jostin Construction in 2001, Whitney Eckert has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s success. Starting in the accounting department, she spent over two decades managing financial operations and fostering key client relationships.

Now serving as Chief Operating Officer of the General Contracting Division, Whitney leads with a strategic vision, uncovering innovative ways to enhance operations and drive efficiency. Her leadership reflects Jostin’s values of “going first” and “being the best at getting better,” ensuring excellence in every project.

Outside of Jostin, Whitney serves on the Board of Trustees for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Foundation, and Allied Construction Industries (ACI). She also cherishes time with her family and six grandchildren.

Albert C. Smitherman founded Jostin in 1998 with a passion for construction and a steadfast commitment to dismantling barriers and creating opportunities. While board rooms and conference rooms are his daily domain, his favorite “office” remains a metal deck concrete pour at 3 AM, where a double trowel doubles as his unconventional chair.

A man of purpose and vision, Albert serves as a trustee for The Christ Hospital Foundation, Bethany House Services, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and on the Episcopal Retirement Services board. His commitment to service extends beyond corporate walls, reflecting his dedication to community well-being.

Albert’s accolades include the esteemed Spirit of Construction Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his profound impact on the Greater Cincinnati Region. His visionary leadership has steered Jostin through transformative projects, from the Horseshoe Casino to the Redevelopment of the Banks Riverfront Entertainment Development and the iconic TQL Stadium. Notably, projects like Washington Park, Ziegler Park, and TQL Stadium have played a pivotal role in revitalizing Over-the-Rhine into a vibrant community— a testament to Albert’s commitment to creating spaces where all Cincinnatians can work, live, and play.

Albert C. Smitherman, the driving force behind Jostin, encapsulates a legacy of visionary leadership, community impact, and a commitment to shaping a future where construction is synonymous with innovation, inclusion, and excellence.

Meet Sara, Jostin Construction’s Chief Financial Officer. With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Sara has honed her skills through roles as a controller and senior VP of accounting and risk management.

Sara is a Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional, with additional certification in Strategic and Competitive Analysis. She is a finance and administrative professional who leads teams through growth and change, creating processes and providing data to drive corporate decision-making. Sara is also a graduate of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s WE Lead Class 7, a leadership program for women.

Since joining Jostin in 2022, Sara has focused on driving the company’s growth with strategic financial planning and providing valuable insights to our team and stakeholders. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and playing sand volleyball, staying active and connected to the things she loves.

Justin Smitherman is a results-driven leader in the construction industry, serving as Concrete COO at Jostin Construction. With a Business Management degree from Bowling Green State University and extensive experience in project management, Justin has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results on complex projects.

Dedicated to leadership and professional growth, Justin is a member of the Spirit of Construction Emerging Leaders program and a 2024 graduate of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce’s C-Change Leadership Program.

An entrepreneur at heart, Justin carries forward his family’s legacy of innovation and hard work. He enjoys Formula One racing, Major League Soccer, and spending quality time with his wife, Olivia, and their two sons, Deuce and Jett.

Mike is a seasoned veteran in the construction industry. He started as a co-op at Jostin in 2000 and he’s never looked back.  He oversees operations of the Concrete division and has helped establish Jostin’s site work capability.

Mike is 6’7” – and is hard to miss on jobsites – yes, he played basketball (at NKU). Mike supports the impactful work of the Ken Anderson Alliance where he serves as a volunteer.

Mike started at Jostin in 2002 as a co-op student from Cincinnati State. He now leads the estimating department across both the concrete and general contracting divisions. He is enthusiastic about growing the capabilities of his team and works in lockstep with the operations team and clients to arrive at the most efficient pricing and scope for projects. Mike is currently on the Board of Directors of the Spirit of Construction Foundation and is a member of the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE).

He volunteers for People Working Cooperatively Repair Affair, National Kidney Foundation, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Walks for Kids. He enjoys watching his kids participate in sports and working on his 1966 Dodge Charger.

Jenny Jones has been an integral part of Jostin Construction since 2003, bringing her organizational “superpowers” to every role she has held. Over the past 22 years, Jenny has supported Jostin’s growth with precision and care, managing logistics, equipment, and assets with unmatched expertise.

Promoted to Shop Manager in 2017, Jenny led day-to-day operations for Jostin Construction and Brewster Pumping, overseeing tools, equipment, purchasing, logistics, and vehicle maintenance. In 2024, she was promoted to Vice President of Warehouse Operations, a role in which she aims to transform the warehouse into a profit center by driving efficiency, innovation, and revenue growth.

Beyond Jostin, Jenny is a longtime committee member for the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cincinnati, serving on their DEI committee. She also manages travel logistics for music headliners at the annual Cincinnati Music Festival, showcasing her exceptional organizational skills on a broader stage.

Prenell’s construction career spans 40-years and includes managing high-performing teams, budgets, safety, and operational efficiency for both residential and commercial projects.

His background as a facilities management professional has instilled in Prenell a solutions-driven leadership style, enabling him to leverage Jostin’s talented Lexington team, long-standing relationships, and market analytics, to ensure our Lexington client goals are achieved.

Prenell is a huge fan of sports and loves watching his daughter perform tap, jazz, and ballet.

Josh Smitherman grew up immersed in the operations of Jostin Construction, working both office and field roles that built his foundational knowledge of the industry. After earning his degree from Xavier University, Josh spent eight years at Ford Motor Company honing his expertise in marketing, business development, and client experience consulting.

In 2022, Josh rejoined Jostin as Business Development Manager, bringing a decade of experience in cultivating client relationships, managing high-performing teams, and driving brand growth. Recently promoted to Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, Josh leads strategic initiatives to expand Jostin’s market presence, foster partnerships, and position the company as an industry leader.

Josh also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Springer School and Center and is a member of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Emerging Philanthropists Council. Outside of work, he is an avid car enthusiast and a burgeoning home chef with a passion for exploring new flavors and culinary creativity.

Matt brings over 26 years of construction experience to his role as General Manager of General Contracting. In his role, he oversees the field operations manager, project managers, and project engineers.

Matt is responsible for ensuring quality, operational excellence, managing on-the-job training, and nurturing solid customer relationships. With his extensive experience in the construction industry, he has successfully delivered numerous projects through the management of Jostin’s trusted network of subcontractors.

Matt shows up as an industry leader through his service on the AGC Cincinnati Board, and his team is committed to providing exceptional project outcomes, a spirit of collaboration and an unwavering commitment to exceeding client expectations.