James C. “Jim” Maxwell, who led innovation in foundation construction while growing a family-owned contracting firm into an industry leader in New England, died July 25 after a battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, for about five years. He was 76 years old.
Maxwell was chairman of the Hub Foundation Co. Inc., based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. His father founded the stacking contractor in 1966, and took over in 1981. During his time at the helm, he grew the company from 10 full-time employees to 120 today.
A key part of this growth was Hub’s early adoption of drilling. After visiting Italy to learn about the rigs and see them in action, Maxwell ordered a Soilmec R-10, which was the first European drilling rig sold in the US.
“It was a whole new thing,” says Tony Barila, who met Maxwell while working for another foundation contractor but later joined the Hub Foundation. “He nailed it.”
The company continued to expand its capabilities under Maxwell, adding micropiles, moorings and slurry walls to its offerings, and tested its high-capacity micropile design to reach more than 1,600 tons, a capacity normally reserved for to the drilled shafts.
The Hub Foundation has completed more than 1,500 contracts, contributing to high-profile projects such as Boston’s Logan International Airport Light Pier and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Green Line Extension .
Maxwell’s teammates and competitors remember his positive attitude and kindness. Barila says Maxwell would donate company resources for research projects. He recalls a time when another contractor who had outbid the Hub Foundation for a project was struggling with the work. Maxwell offered to let this company use whatever it needed from the Hub Foundation’s equipment yard.
“I couldn’t believe how generous he was, even with our fiercest competitors,” says Barila.
One such competitor was consultant John Roma, who says Maxwell helped him several times with machinery and sometimes with added staff.
“We were competitive ‘enemies’ for so long that we went around becoming good friends,” Roma says.
Maxwell’s depth in the industry led him to volunteer with the Drill Shaft Contractors Association, teaching at its Anchored Earth Retention School and serving as a trustee of its industry advancement fund, which awards scholarships to engineering students interested in the deep foundations sector. He was also active in the New England Marine Contractors Association and Foundation.
For his contributions to the industry, Maxwell was chosen by the Drill Shaft Contractors Group to win the Northeast Chapter’s Living Legend Award, and earlier this year The Moles cited him for outstanding achievement in the construction
“He had more wisdom and knowledge than many people in the business, and I always respected him for that,” Roma says.
The Hub Foundation is now run by Maxwell’s children, the third generation to run the company. Daughter Alizza Weiss is president of the company, with sons Jeff Maxwell and Greg Maxwell now serving as treasurer and vice president, respectively.
“One thing I remember him saying was that he told his kids, ‘The family business can be your greatest strength or your greatest weakness,'” Roma says.
Speaking at The Moles’ annual awards dinner in February, Jeff Maxwell, making comments on behalf of his father, said:
“Overcome this responsibility with communication and trust,” Maxwell said in reading Jim Maxwell’s words. “Understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and give each other room to grow.”
Although ALS crippled Maxwell’s muscles, he added that it didn’t slow his mind.
“I find joy in life by reminiscing about my past adventures in this industry,” he wrote.
