2026 GroundBreaker: Chad Frampton, President and CEO of Frampton Construction
GroundBreak Carolinas is honored to spotlight Chad Frampton, President and CEO of Frampton Construction, who has been named to the Class of 2026 GroundBreakers — an exclusive group of individuals recognized for going above and beyond to make a difference in the construction community across the Carolinas. Founded in 1993, Frampton is a Southeast-based construction firm offering planning and design support, preconstruction, and construction services. Based in Ladson, SC, in Charleston County, with additional offices in Charlotte and Tampa, the company is positioned to manage projects in the Southeast and beyond.
The Backstory
When Chad Frampton began working for his father’s construction company while in high school in 2002, he learned the business from the ground up. He then became a project manager after college. When his father was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Chad assumed greater leadership responsibilities, guiding the second-generation firm through a pivotal transition. By 2010, he was leading the company into its next chapter.
Under Chad’s leadership, Frampton Construction has grown from a 10-person family operation into a regional contractor with more than 100 employees serving manufacturing, industrial, healthcare, commercial and distribution clients across the Southeast. That growth has expanded the company’s ability to support major employers and communities throughout the Carolinas, from Le Creuset’s new U.S. distribution headquarters in Hampton County to Wegmans’ Charlotte expansion and new MUSC locations across the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
People-First Philosophy
Chad’s influence is measured by more than company size or project volume. He has shaped Frampton around the belief that construction companies should create opportunities for people and prepare the industry for what comes next. That philosophy is reflected in the company’s investment in professional development, providing team members with opportunities to build leadership skills through external programs and real-world responsibility.
Preserving Frampton’s family culture is extremely important to Chad. The Frampton Scholars program supports employees’ children and dependents as they pursue their educational paths, reflecting his belief that the company’s responsibility extends to employees’ families. That people-first philosophy guides how Chad leads. He credits advice from his father with shaping his approach: “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but you should make sure they’re sitting next to you.”
Chad has built Frampton with talented people, created growth opportunities and established a culture grounded in teamwork, humility and continuous improvement.
Chad’s commitment to service extends beyond construction. He raised $214,000 as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2017 Lowcountry Man of the Year and continues to invest in his community through the Roper St. Francis Foundation, where he participated in the Fellows Program. Through his leadership, commitment to people and community investment, Chad is helping shape the future of construction across the Carolinas.
