Jay Fechtel

Jay Fechtel has over 26 years experience in business ownership and operation in the design, construction and energy efficient products industries.  He guides Olive Tree Energy with an eye toward serving customers and innovation, encouraging constant improvement in design, quality and overall effectiveness from a technological and financial performance perspective.  He was an invited member of the U.S. Department of Energy Industrialized Housing Partnership’s “Build America Team” and has taught building science in industry venues such as the Southeast Building Conference.  He is a licensed Class “A” general contractor in the State of Florida and is also  certified as a “Health House” specialist by the American Lung Association. 

Jay began his professional career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen and Co. where he worked with several high-technology and real estate companies.  Later, in 1987, he founded and is the CEO of The Fechtel Company, a design-build firm specializing in custom, high-end residential and light commercial construction which is renowned for its artistry, craftsmanship and cutting edge energy-efficient technologies.  It has received over 20 awards, including “Best in American Living” national and “Aurora” SE regional architectural design awards, as well as over 10 “green building” awards for energy efficient and water conserving design. 

Jay has been an owner-member of The C12 Group since its inception in 1990 and the National Custom Builders Council since its inception in 1996.  He attended Washington and Lee University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors and a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce.  He has served on numerous community boards and service projects, and currently serves as a board member of the National Christian Foundation Tampa Bay and Abe Brown Ministries.  As a follower of Christ, Jay serves on the leadership team of his church.  He and his wife, Terri, live in Tampa, Florida and have four children:  two young men and two young women ranging in age from 12 to 21 years old.