Derek Johnson – Owner
Derek Johnson is the Owner and Founder of JCAR Builders and a proud U.S. Navy Veteran with approximately nine years of active-duty service as a Navy Corpsman. During his military career, Derek deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), where he developed a strong foundation in leadership, discipline, and problem-solving under pressure.
After transitioning out of the military, Derek continued his career in service to his community, serving for several years as a Flight Nurse, further sharpening his attention to detail, decision-making skills, and ability to perform in high-stakes environments. Alongside his medical career, Derek maintained a lifelong passion for building—one that began more than 25 years ago when he began as a framer. After years of refining his craft on the side, he made the decision to pursue construction full-fledged.
Today, Derek is known for his ability to listen closely to clients’ needs and transform their ideas into well-executed, high-quality spaces. He takes pride in solving complex challenges and delivering craftsmanship that reflects integrity, precision, and care.
Derek is married to his beautiful wife, Kayla, and they share their home with their dog, Oliver. He is deeply committed to providing a professional, transparent, and client-focused experience from start to finish.
Drew Freeman – Sales
Drew is a proud U.S. Army Veteran who brings discipline, integrity, and a strong commitment to service into every client interaction. He and his wife, Natasha, relocated to the Johnston County area a few years ago and are proud to call it home. When he’s not helping clients bring their projects to life, Drew enjoys golfing, great coffee, and spending time with his lovely wife and their dog, Arthur. Drew is passionate about building lasting relationships and ensuring every client has a smooth, confident experience from start to finish.
Emily Diaz – Marketing & Operations Professional
Emily Diaz is a dedicated marketing and operations professional with over 10 years of experience in marketing strategy, business management, and customer engagement. Known for her strong leadership and results-driven mindset, she has consistently contributed to the growth and development of businesses by implementing effective marketing initiatives and improving day-to-day operations.
With a foundation built on exceptional customer service, Emily takes pride in creating positive client experiences and building lasting relationships. Her background as a sales associate has strengthened her ability to understand customer needs, provide tailored solutions, and deliver superb support throughout every stage of a project.
Emily is a driven entrepreneur and a woman committed to growth—both personally and professionally. She is passionate about helping businesses that have faced challenges find new direction, regain momentum, and achieve sustainable success. Her focus remains on continuous improvement, innovation, and turning vision into measurable results.
Frequently Asked Questions
JCAR Builders has been an established business in North Carolina since 2019. The owner and founder, Derek Johnson, has over 20 years of contracting experience.
Yes. JCAR Builders is owned and operated by Derek Johnson who is a licensed general contractor in the state of North Carolina (License #100665).
JCAR Builders began in the Triangle area of North Carolina and is proud many years later to continue to serve this community. We focus on Johnston, Wake, Durham, Chatham, Lee, and Harnett counties. We consider work outside this area on a case by case basis.
At JCAR Builders we are happy to offer free consultations to learn about the nature and scope of the work needed. We reserve the right in any case to charge for official estimates.
At JCAR Builders we are focused on custom building and quality renovation projects. We also offer financing for those projects that you would prefer to pay for over time. We are confident in our ability to deliver quality work, but will shoot straight with you if we feel that we are not a good fit for the work you are requesting.
The picture says it all. Derek Johnson is a Navy veteran having served as a corpsman deployed with the Marines in several theaters of combat. The same tenacity that drove him to save lives on the battlefield now drives him to deliver excellence in every remodeling job we take on.
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