Our Story

In 1995, Stella Miller started Stella May Contracting at 50 years old, with a $50,000 loan and a determination to build something meaningful. Back then, we were a general contractor focused on excavating and water and sewer construction. Stella’s first major decision set the tone for everything that followed: she hired a safety consultant before taking on any work. Stella believed that no job was worth doing unless every person went home safely. This principle became our foundation and still drives us today: Safety Comes First.

From the start, Stella May gravitated toward the toughest jobs—the ones most contractors avoided. Complex excavation, underground utilities, concrete work— were challenges we embraced. As a minority woman-owned business, certification opened doors, but Stella never relied on that status alone because she understood that although the company’s minority status would open doors, it was the company’s reputation and performance give clients a reason to continue inviting Stella May to bid on work. Over time, clients learned that when the work was difficult, Stella May would be interested.

One client’s feedback illustrates it pretty well. “At the start, I wondered ‘Stella May?’ During the project, I knew ‘Stella Can.’ And by the end, I said ‘Stella Did!’”

In 2017 ownership transitioned to Harley Flack (President & CEO), Brad Hanks (COO), and Christian Johansson (Chief Strategy Officer). One of the first things they did was define what makes Stella May unique. The result was a mission statement that still guides us: Build it Safely to Serve and to Shine.

With this clarity in mission came a strategic shift. We expanded our services into utility infrastructure and deepened our partnerships with regional and national utility providers. We built in-house training programs to create a workforce pipeline who will uphold our safety standards. We built an industry leading technology infrastructure with centralized ERP, advanced project management tools, and cybersecurity protocols aligned with federal and utility standards to establish consistency and reliability in information flowing withing the company. Importantly, although not flashy, we also infused a culture of continuous improvement through Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

In 2017, we launched our Electrical Transmission Underground department. Gas came in 2018. Substation Civil in 2021. Distribution Overhead and Underground in 2023. Urban & Rural Development and Substation Electrical in 2024. Each new department reflected our commitment to meet evolving client needs and modernize critical infrastructure.

Today, Stella May Contracting is positioning itself to lead in an industry undergoing rapid transformation. Aging utility grids need to be modernized to support advanced technology facilities like data centers, renewable energy systems, and next-generation connectivity. We are involved in conversations and projects that promote building resilient infrastructure that will continue to power communities while enabling the development of the technologies that will shape the future.

We are also committed to creating opportunities for underserved communities and developing the next generation of skilled utility construction workers. By investing in training, technology, and partnerships, we aim to strengthen the industry and the communities we serve.

Our vision is to become the premier civil and utility contractor on the East Coast, achieving $1B in revenue by 2030. To achieve this, we will continue to execute on our mission to Build it Safely to Serve and to Shine and uphold the core values that have guided us since 1995: commitment to safety, serving people, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Through it all we will not lose sight of the truth that people are the lifeblood of Stella May. From Stella’s first day to today, our story has always been about safety, service, and shared success. And that will never change.