Building a Legacy

A History of Marine Excellence

It all began in the early 1970s, when James Meade & his son Mark built the very first docks in Indian River County's Cache Cay, Sea Grove, The Estuary, Castaway Cove, Johns Island, and The Moorings. Since then, his son, Jeff Meade, has continued his legacy and become the leading and innovating force for Vero Beach's marine construction industry. For over 40 years, he has delivered more successful marine construction projects than anyone else locally. The unique combination of Jeff's engineering, design, and environmental consulting & permitting experience mean that J. Meade Construction is positioned to complete projects of unmatched quality. Our team, which now includes co-owner and full-time partner Leon Carmel, specializes in custom docks, boat lifts, seawalls, dune crossovers, and decks, combining a long-held local reputation for excellence with a passion for waterfront preservation.

Meet Jeff, Leon & The Team

Jeff Meade

Leon Carmel

Founder / President

Co-Owner / Vice President

A Vero Beach native, Jeff graduated with honors from Vero Beach High School in 1971—one of the top five students in his class—where he lettered in football, baseball, and basketball, captaining the basketball team his senior year and earning second-team district honors.

He earned a degree in Construction Engineering and Management with honors (Sigma Lambda Chi) from Florida International University and obtained his Florida Unlimited General Contractor's License (#CGC010120) at age 24, active since 1975.

Jeff started at Total Development, Inc. in Vero Beach (1975–1984), rising from Engineer in Training to Senior Project Engineer. He managed site analysis, design, approvals, and construction for subdivisions (100+ lots), commercial sites, multi-family projects (up to 120 units), and large environmental permitting (300+ acres).

In 1984, he founded MRMC Construction, Inc., which he owned for 20 years. Specializing in custom homes, commercial buildings, subdivisions, multi-family developments, environmentally sensitive projects, marine structures (docks/seawalls), and concrete restoration, MRMC employed up to 25 people and provided full consulting, permitting, and construction services. He sold the company in 2004.

Since then, Jeff has led J. Meade Construction, Inc., concentrating on consulting, permitting, planning, and management. His expertise covers marine/environmental projects, concrete restoration, insurance claims (fire/water), cause-and-origin reports, and permitting for marinas, docks, seawalls, and sensitive sites. Clients include condo associations, law firms, real estate/developers, and individuals.

Jeff has cultivated strong ties with local, state, and federal agencies (e.g., FDEP, Army Corps of Engineers, St. Johns River Water Management District) and served as President of the Florida Marine Contractors Association, advocating for protective legislation.

With over 50 years of experience, Jeff delivers compliant, high-quality solutions in Florida's coastal environment. He now pursues humanitarian efforts to preserve the environment and benefit mankind using his deep knowledge and networks.

Leon Carmel, Co-Owner and Vice President of J. Meade Construction, Inc., brings more than four decades of entrepreneurial leadership and specialized construction expertise to the company. Married for 48 years, Leon and his wife moved from New York to Florida in the late 1970s, where he quickly established himself as a dynamic business leader in the Sunshine State.

In 1979, he founded Green Pastures Landscape Company, which grew into a successful operation employing 45 people. By 1986, his passion for the water led him to launch Oceanic Resources, a premier marine tropical fish importing business and supplier of custom aquariums installed nationwide. In 1999, he founded I-Can, Inc., a concrete restoration and high-rise condominium repair firm that expanded to 175 employees. In 2007, he established New Beginnings Construction, specializing in new custom home construction and high-end remodeling.

Since 2022, Leon has applied his extensive experience to his greatest passion—Florida’s coastal waterfronts—as Co-Owner and Vice President of J. Meade Construction. Drawing on his past construction expertise, Leon now oversees the process from design through completion: ordering all project materials, supervising site work, and transforming clients’ visions into reality. As a trusted concrete specialist and expert in high-end dock design and construction, he ensures every project reflects the company’s commitment to superior quality, innovation, and long-term durability.

With a remarkable career spanning landscaping, marine systems, concrete engineering, residential construction, and premium marine construction, Leon Carmel brings unmatched knowledge, integrity, and a deep love for Florida’s coastal lifestyle to every project at J. Meade Construction — making clients’ waterfront dreams come true.

Alex Newman

Jonathan Carmel

Tyler Auriana

Lead Carpenter / TechnicIAN

Job site Lead

Lead Carpenter / Technician

At J. Meade Construction, our three dedicated job site leads each bring more than five years of hands-on experience in construction and a genuine passion for the marine construction industry. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every project, where their sharp attention to detail shines—whether they’re building docks, installing dune crossovers, constructing seawalls, or setting up boat lifts. From the first material drop to the final inspection, they’ll be on site every step of the way to ensure your waterfront vision becomes a reality.

Affiliates of J. Meade Construction, Inc.

Centerline Drafting

GK Environmental

JMS Design Studios

Kelly Construction & Development

Surlaterre Landscape Architecture

Todd N. Smith, P.E.

Testimonials

Several years ago, we purchased a tear down on the intracoastal in Vero Beach. After demolishing the home, a portion of the seawall collapsed. We immediately contacted several builders for recommendations regarding a contractor to repair or rebuild the seawall. After interviewing several contractors, we selected J. Meade Construction for the project.

Jeff Meade provided the most comprehensive analysis of the project and then engineered a very complex solution to make sure that we would have a commercial grade seawall that was thoughtfully integrated into the overall scope of our residential development. Jeff’s project also involved demolishing an old, large dock and building a new dock that transitioned seamlessly from our pool deck so that we did not have to navigate stairs. As part of the new dock, J. Meade Construction not only installed a boat lift but also constructed a highly practical kayak platform/lift that provides easy access to the river.

Throughout the project Jeff (and his partner, Leon) have been extremely responsive to our questions. They are both very thoughtful in how they approach a project and are excellent communicators. Moreover, their crew are extremely skilled and professional. We highly recommend J. Meade Construction.

-- Peter & Christina
J. Meade Construction successfully completed a major 74-foot seawall modification project at my property in Vero Beach, Florida. The scope of work included structural concrete repairs, replacement of deteriorated steel components, installation of a new concrete cap beam, and the application of protective coatings--all performed in a challenging coastal environment.

Throughout the project, J. Meade Construction demonstrated a high level of professionalism, technical expertise, and attention to detail. The work was completed in accordance with the agreed-upon scope, applicable permitting requirements, and industry standards. Communication was consistently clear and responsive. They went above and beyond to ensure I was kept informed at every stage of the process. As I was out of town during the construction, they provided me daily video updates and photographs documenting the progress and quality of the repairs, which greatly strengthened my confidence in the work being performed.

I was particularly impressed by their knowledge of seawall systems and their ability to effectively address existing structural issues while delivering durable, high-quality repairs. I would not hesitate to recommend J. Meade Construction, Inc. for marine or coastal construction projects.

-- Julie

Local Reputation • Trusted Since 1980