Resolve and evolve

Law degrees are hard to come by in the general contracting business. But becoming a lawyer and then taking over the business was always part of the plan for Joseph Kokolakis.

The 48-year-old president and owner of Tarpon Springs-based J. Kokolakis Contracting graduated from Emory School of Law and worked a couple years in a construction litigation firm before becoming general counsel at his father's contracting firm in 1989. Over the last five years, Kokolakis bought the family business from his dad, brother and other family members. He declined to disclose details.

Despite taking ownership of a company during one of the toughest times in the industry, Kokolakis has managed to not only endure the downturn, but thrive during it.