Dave and Joe Lyons began in construction in 1972 by building a 1,550 sf speculative home during their summer break from school. They continued building a home a summer through their years of college. They were tutored during those years by various journeyman carpenters from the staff of the construction company managed by their father, Jim Lyons.

Upon Dave’s graduation from the University of Portland in 1976 he formed JDL with their father. Joe joined them in 1977 after graduating from Willamette University. Jim retired in 1979 having started his sons in their chosen career.

Unrecognized at the time, Dave and Joe were schooled during the construction of those first homes in the importance of building sound, enduring products. It has been a constant in all of their work through the years. That and their innate commitment to fairness and common sense has resulted in a company that has continued to thrive with referrals and repeat customers as their only sources of new business.