About Us

about us.

More Than 40 Years of Doing It Right

For more than 40 years, we’ve built Stellar Contracting on hands-on experience, craftsmanship and family values. From humble beginnings in Washington, DC, to delivering a wide range of commercial projects across the Southeast, our history reflects growth, learning and a commitment to doing the work the right way.

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Years in Business 

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Square Feet Built

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Our Journey

Over four decades, we’ve grown from a small, family-run operation into a trusted commercial construction partner. Along the way, we’ve celebrated key milestones, expanded into new markets, and broadened our expertise. Through it all, we’ve stayed true to the craftsmanship, hands-on leadership and strong relationships that define who we are today.
1987

Where It All Began

Perimeter Interiors, specializing in Class A commercial office spaces, founded by Joe Stokes & Chris Griggs.

Landing the First Major Client

Perimeter Interiors lands its first major client, Taylor & Mathis office buildings in the metro Atlanta area

1988
1996

A New Name. A Broader Vision.

Perimeter Interiors becomes Stellar Construction with Joe Stokes & Chuck Elslander as founding members. Chuck ran the residential and commercial roofing while Joe stayed focused on the commercial interiors.

Stellar Contracting is Born

Stellar Construction becomes Stellar Contracting, Inc., with Joe Stokes as founding member

2003
2004

Breaking Ground in New Markets

First restaurant project in Alpharetta, GA – Miller’s Ale House (6,000SF ground up project).

Strengthening the Team

John Houston hired as Project Manager.

2012
2013

Expanding the Business - and the Family

Stellar Contracting expands into the retail market; Jared Stokes and Julia Stokes Maney join the family business.

A Year of Growth and Momentum

Stellar hits $5 million in revenue and starts its first Hobby Lobby project, a remodel in Hiram, GA. Stellar also expands into multi-state projects.

2014
2015

Raising the Bar with Tilt-Wall Construction

Stellar lands its first tilt wall project, Hobby Lobby in Jacksonville, NC.

Delivering Larger-Scale Developments

Stellar Contracting starts its first major shopping center, Canton Exchange in Canton, GA.

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2017
2021

Expanding into Major Retail Site Development

Stellar Contracting starts its first Floor & Decor project in Conyers, GA, including civil, site, and ground-up work.

Reaching New Heights in Scale and Scope

Stellar secures $15M+ contract, its largest to date, and first industrial tilt-wall project: Boost Transport.

2022
2024

30 Years Strong

Stellar celebrates 30 years in business!

Leading the Next Generation

Stellar announces next-generation leadership with John Houston, Jared Stokes and Julia Stokes Maney as Owner/Managing Partners.

2026
2026

Leading the Next Generation

Stellar announces next-generation leadership with John Houston, Jared Stokes and Julia Maney as Owner/Managing Partners

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our team.

SEASONED PROFESSIONALS

Owner, Founder Emeritus

Joe Stokes

Owner – Retail Division

John Houston

Owner – Preconstruction Division

Julia Stokes Maney

Owner – Interiors Division

Jared Stokes

Project Coordinator

Ashley McClure

Project Manager

Bob Wunsch

Controller

Julie Buehler
John-Houston
julia 1_Crop
Jared-Stokes
Ashley-McClure
Bob-Wunsch
Julie-Buehler
Joe-Stokes
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Joe Stokes

Owner, Founder Emeritus

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Biography

Joe Stokes is the Owner and Founder of Stellar Contracting, a family-owned construction company with deep roots in commercial interiors and a diverse portfolio of building projects. He began his career in the 1970s as an apprentice with Carpenters Union #225 in Washington, D.C., where he developed a strong foundation in the trade. He later gained experience with George Hyman Construction, contributing to major projects including Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, where he worked alongside his father.

In the early 1980s, Joe continued his career in Atlanta with Beers Construction before co-founding Perimeter Interiors in 1987. The firm specialized in Class A commercial office renovations and quickly built a reputation for quality, reliability, and craftsmanship throughout the Atlanta market. In 1995, following a partnership transition, Joe established Stellar Construction, focusing on commercial interiors and roofing.

In 2003, he founded Stellar Contracting, Inc., expanding the company beyond its interior roots to deliver a wide range of projects across multiple sectors, including commercial office, retail, education, government, healthcare, assisted living, restaurants, and museums.

Today, Stellar remains a family-owned business. While Joe is now semi-retired, he continues to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation, his children, Julia and Jared. He can still be found stopping by the office from time to time, offering insight, checking in on projects, and making sure the coffee is strong.

John Houston

Owner – Retail Division

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Biography

John Houston is an Owner and Project Manager at Stellar Contracting, bringing over 20 years of experience in commercial and industrial construction. A hands-on leader, John oversees project management, estimating, scheduling, contract negotiations, business development, and safety compliance, all while guiding Stellar’s team growth and development.

Raised in Alaska, John discovered his passion for building at an early age, constructing his first structure at the age of 12. His early experience spans residential construction, log homes, and electrical work, giving him a lifelong appreciation for both the design and construction process. Over the years, he’s worked on light commercial projects across the U.S. and earned a B.S. in Construction Management from Southern Polytechnic State University (now part of Kennesaw State University).

At Stellar, John specializes in commercial interiors, big-box retail, shopping centers, warehouse and light industrial facilities, façade renovations, and design-build projects. He is OSHA 30 certified and proficient in industry software including AutoCAD, Revit, Procore, Microsoft Project and Planswift.

When he’s not on a jobsite or crunching numbers for Stellar’s next big project, John can be found chasing fish and game, hitting the trails with his family, or showing off his award-winning BBQ skills while entertaining friends.

Julia Stokes Maney

Owner – Preconstruction Division

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Biography

Julia Maney is an Owner and Estimator at Stellar Contracting, where she leads projects from initial client conversations through final pricing with clarity and precision. She oversees scope development, subcontractor coordination, on-screen takeoffs, bid analysis, and estimate reviews, setting each project up for success from day one. Known for her organization, efficiency, and sharp attention to detail, Julia brings both strategic insight and hands-on expertise to every phase of preconstruction.

With over 13 years of experience in construction, Julia’s connection to the industry started early, spending time on job sites alongside her father, Joe. She earned her B.S. from the University of Georgia (UGA) and built an eight-year career as a licensed insurance agent before transitioning into construction full-time.

At Stellar, Julia intentionally developed her expertise across multiple roles, including Controller, Assistant Project Manager, and Assistant Estimator, before stepping into her current leadership role in estimating. In addition to leading preconstruction efforts, she holds the company’s General Contractor licenses, supporting Stellar’s work across multiple markets.

Outside the office, Julia enjoys spending time with her family and is often found in the stands cheering on her son and his high school team. A proud UGA graduate, she is also an enthusiastic supporter of the Georgia Bulldogs year-round.

Julia is also a co-owner of Four Scythes Haunted Attraction, a nonprofit haunted house in Cumming, which has raised more than $325,000 for local charities over the past seven years. Passionate about giving back, she is dedicated to supporting her community and brings that same creativity, energy, and purpose to everything she does.

Jared Stokes

Owner – Interiors Division

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Biography

Jared Stokes is Owner and Head of Interiors Division at Stellar Contracting, specializing in keeping Project Management  and keeping jobs on track from start to finish with his signature mix of organization, eye for detail, and time-management precision. With 15 years in construction, he brings hands-on experience in the field and leadership to every phase of the building process.

He got his start in residential framing and trim carpentry before moving into commercial framing for multi-family projects. While in college, Jared returned to residential construction and land development, juggling up to 35 homes under construction at once while planning future phases. He later stepped back into the commercial side as a completion project manager, racing multi-family and student housing projects to the finish line, often under tight deadlines.

Jared later joined the family business to cut down on travel and has since managed everything from big-box retail and tenant interiors to restaurants, medical facilities, assisted living projects, and site development. Known for his eagle-eye attention to detail and disciplined scheduling, Jared keeps projects running smoothly and efficiently without missing a beat. Additionally, Jared holds several OSHA and equipment certifications.

Outside the office, you’ll find him hunting, fishing, or spending time with his family, though we’re pretty sure he occasionally sneaks a project timeline into the weekend as well. He is also actively involved in supporting and helping raise funds for Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Ashley McClure

Project Coordinator

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Biography

Ashley McClure serves as Project Coordinator at Stellar Contracting, providing essential support to Project Managers and keeping projects running smoothly from start to finish. She manages company-wide project setup, handles subcontracts, insurance and tax documentation, and coordinates field supply needs to ensure seamless jobsite operations. Beyond keeping projects on track, Ashley oversees day-to-day office operations, manages Stellar’s social media, and makes sure the company’s brand shines in everything we do.

Ashley joined Stellar in 2019, bringing a decade of experience managing people, projects, and complex operations. Leveraging her exceptional organizational skills, adaptability, and leadership, she quickly became an indispensable member of the Stellar team. Today, she’s a trusted voice for project managers and a driving force behind the company culture, helping foster a positive and fun work environment.

Ashley holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University, is a Georgia Notary, and is ProCore Certified in Project and Financial Management. Outside of work, she is a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan and a devoted Taylor Swift enthusiast, though she’ll tell you the Braves always win in the office debate!

Bob Wunsch

Project Manager

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Biography

With over 30 years of hands-on experience in commercial and retail construction, Bob Wunsch is a seasoned leader known for delivering complex projects on time and within budget. He has overseen projects across the United States, from prototype retail stores and large-scale distribution centers to specialized site development and renovations.

Bob began his career in the trades and honed his skills as a combat engineer in the United States Army, where he specialized in construction, demolition, and infrastructure projects. Since transitioning to the private sector, he has held leadership roles including Construction Project Manager, Director of Construction, and Owner’s Representative, managing multiple projects and teams simultaneously while maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships.

Throughout his career, Bob has worked directly with developers, franchisees, real estate directors, architects, and engineers to execute new builds, remodels, and tenant improvements. He is highly skilled in project budgeting, contract negotiation, construction oversight, and coordination with municipalities and authorities having jurisdiction. Bob’s strategic approach and attention to detail have consistently reduced costs, streamlined operations, and enhanced project outcomes.

Bob’s expertise spans the full construction lifecycle, from site acquisition and due diligence to design, permitting, build-out, and closeout, making him a trusted partner for both corporate and owner-led development initiatives.

Julie Buehler

Controller

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Biography

Julie Buehler serves as Controller at Stellar Contracting, overseeing all things financial, from accounts payable and receivable to payroll, benefits coordination, financial reporting, forecasting, risk management, and audits. With over 40 years in the construction industry, including 30+ years at the controller level, Julie is the driving force behind Stellar’s financial operations and systems, ensuring the company has the insights needed to make informed business decisions.

Growing up in the construction industry, Julie discovered early on that construction was in her blood. One of her first roles in Atlanta with a start-up general contractor gave her the opportunity to implement accounting software and build systems from the ground up, shaping her passion for streamlining processes and delivering timely, accurate financial information. At Stellar, she keeps the company’s financial picture clear while providing project teams with the insights they need to manage their work effectively.

Julie holds a BBA in Accounting from Kennesaw State University and is a member of Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). Outside the office, she enjoys tennis, hiking, sunny beach vacations, and any activity that combines the outdoors with a little friendly competition.