James C. “Jim” Maxwell, who led innovation in deep foundation construction while growing a family-owned contracting business into a sector leader in the northeast U.S., died July 25 after battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for about five years. He was 76.
Maxwell was chair of Chelmsford, Mass.-based Hub Foundation Co. Inc. His father, Francis, founded the pile driving contractor in 1966, and he took over in 1981—leading company growth from 10 full-time employees to 120 today.
A key part of that growth was Hub’s early adoption of drilling. After visiting Italy to learn about drill rigs and see them in action, Maxwell ordered a Soilmec R-10, which was the first European drill rig sold in the U.S.
“It was something completely new,” says company project manager Tony Barila, who met Maxwell while working for another foundation contractor and joined Hub Foundation in 2010. “He got it right.”
The firm continued to expand its offerings under Maxwell, adding micropiles, tiebacks and slurry wall expertise and testing its high-capacity micropile design to reach more than 1,600 tons, a capacity usually reserved for drilled shafts.
Hub Foundation has completed more than 1,500 contracts, contributing to high-profile projects including the Logan International Airport Light Pier and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line Extension.
Colleagues and competitors of Maxwell remember his positive attitude and kindness. Barila says Maxwell would donate company resources for research projects. He recalls a time when another contractor that had out-bid the firm for a project was struggling with the work. Maxwell offered to let that firm use anything it needed from Hub Foundation’s equipment yard.
“I couldn’t believe how generous he was, even to our staunchest competitors,” Barila says.
One of those competitors 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 circled around to become good friends,” Roma says.
Maxwell’s depth in the industry brought him to volunteer with the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors, 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 Foundation and Marine Contractors Association of New England.
For his contributions to the industry, Maxwell was named by the drilled shaft contractors group as its Northeast chapter Living Legend award winner, and was cited earlier this year for outstanding achievement in construction by The Moles, a heavy industry professionals group.
“He had more wisdom and knowledge than many people in the business, and I always respected him for that,” Roma says.
Hub Foundation now is led by Maxwell’s children. Daughter Alissa Weiss is company president, with sons Jeff Maxwell and Greg Maxwell serving as treasurer and vice president, respectively.
“One thing I remember him saying was that he said to his kids, ‘Family business can be your biggest strength or your biggest weakness,” Roma says. In a speech at The Moles awards dinner in February, Jeff Maxwell, delivering remarks on his father's behalf, said in reading Jim Maxwell's words: “You overcome that liability with communication and trust, understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses and giving each other room to grow.”
While ALS paralyzed his muscles, Maxwell wrote that it did not slow his mind. “I find joy in life by remembering my past adventures in this industry,” he said.
