top of page

OUR STAFF

Jim Ruffin founded Construction Practices, LLC in June 2014. Jim's +/-31-years in construction coupled with Stewart's +/-35-years in architecture provide a strong foundation based on practical knowledge and industry  experience. Effective March 2024, Jim is stepping back from the day-to-day operations of the firm but will continue to be a valued resource.

James "Jim" M. Ruffin
Founder

Jim is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. He graduated from NC State in 1984 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Jim has spent his entire professional career in commercial construction. In 2014, Jim decided to continue his career as an independent construction consultant and founded Construction Practices.

 

During his twenty-seven-year tenure with a commercial general contracting company, Jim held positions as field engineer, estimator, project manager, and, ultimately, Partner. As Partner, Jim was a leader in Pre-Construction Services, had direct reports including the design and estimating departments, and led the firm’s marketing efforts as well. Jim worked in pre-construction and construction phases for a variety of project types including continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), medical office buildings (MOB), large industrial (warehouse), commercial (office), and lodging (hotel). 

​

Project experience (partial list):

  • Skilled Nursing​

  • Memory Care

  • Assisted Living

  • Senior Independent Living

  • Multi-tenant Medical Center​

  • Imaging Center​

  • Clean Room Expansion​

  • Senior Services​ Office and Program Facility​

​

Stewart Beason
Owner

Stewart is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1986 with a degree in Architecture and has been a registered architect in NC since 1991. Stewart worked for thirty years at two local architectural firms before joining Construction Practices in December 2016.

 

While working with the architectural firms, Stewart held positions as Project Architect, Project Manager and Senior Project Manager. As Senior Project Manager, he led the

+/-20-person design department for various project types, including financial, higher education, and senior living. In addition, Stewart was responsible for quality control of the firm's construction documents and assisted in the firm's marketing efforts. Stewart has worked in all design and construction phases for a wide range of projects throughout

the southeast.

 

Project experience (partial list):

  • Skilled Nursing

  • Memory Care

  • Assisted Living

  • Senior Independent Living

  • Student Center (LEED Silver) 

  • Library Study and Renovation

  • Residence Halls Renovation​

  • Residence Hall Asbestos Abatement

  • Branch Banking (Prototype Program)

  • Financial Centers

  • Stand-alone ATMs

20181205_085927 (2).jpg
Cristi Cummings
Office Administrator

Cristi graduated from Georgia Tech in 1993 with a degree from the College of Architecture. She worked as an architectural intern in Atlanta, GA until August 2001 when she relocated to Winston-Salem. In May 2003, Cristi began a part-time position preparing AIA contracts for a local architectural firm. Over the next fourteen years, she took on a variety of additional tasks, including project schedules, spec editing, spreadsheets, and, eventually, Office Manager. Cristi joined Construction Practices, LLC in April 2017. In her new role, she has increased her skills to include bookkeeping (QBO) and website design. 

​

bottom of page