January 19, 2026 – Power100, the only unbiased third-party platform that ranks the best CEOs and partners in the home improvement industry, has announced James Freeman, CEO of PJ Fitzpatrick, as the nation’s #1 ranked CEO for 2026. This recognition honors Freeman’s exceptional leadership that has transformed PJ Fitzpatrick into the top-rated home improvement company in the country, demonstrating excellence across leadership, company culture, customer satisfaction, and strategic growth.

Power100 evaluates over 7,600 home improvement companies using a rigorous 5-layer proprietary ranking system that focuses on quality, reliability, customer satisfaction, innovation, and employee welfare. Freeman’s #1 ranking reflects his visionary approach to building a company where transparency, people-first values, and operational excellence converge to create exceptional customer experiences and industry-leading growth.

The Power100 Ranking System

Power100 stands as the only unbiased third-party platform dedicated to ranking the nation’s top CEOs and companies in the home improvement industry. The platform’s comprehensive 5-layer proprietary ranking system evaluates companies on quality workmanship, operational reliability, verified customer satisfaction scores, innovation in products and processes, and employee welfare and culture. This rigorous methodology ensures homeowners across the country can identify trusted professionals who consistently deliver excellence.

According to Greg Cummings, CEO of Power100, “James is our number one ranked CEO out of 7,600 on our platform Power 100. The common thing about James and his leadership style is he’s an open book. He’ll share his whole tech stack, what happens, the flow of service—he’ll share it all with you”. Cummings elaborated during Freeman’s featured interview, noting that Freeman is “the number one CEO in the country” who has built “a culture of accountability” through intentional leadership development.

A Legacy Built on Excellence

PJ Fitzpatrick was founded in 1980 by Pete Fitzpatrick as a residential roofing, siding, windows, and doors installer at 113 Stanton Road in New Castle County, Delaware. From day one, customer care became the company’s primary focus, driving success through quality workmanship that generated repeat business and referrals. By 1995, growth necessitated a move to a larger headquarters at 107 J&M Drive in Churchman’s Crossing, complete with a showroom featuring full-sized product displays.

The company’s expansion accelerated in 2003 with the acquisition of Kelly’s Windows and Doors, establishing PJ Fitzpatrick as the Delaware Valley’s largest remodeler. The company also introduced a Repair Division and entered the bath remodeling market, diversifying its service offerings. Today, PJ Fitzpatrick operates from 21 Industrial Boulevard in New Castle, having completed over 40,000 installations and earned more than 14,500 customer reviews averaging an impressive 4.8-star rating.

Freeman’s Transformational Leadership

When James Freeman became CEO in 2020, he brought visionary leadership rooted in transparency, innovation, and employee empowerment that would propel PJ Fitzpatrick to unprecedented heights. Under his guidance, the company’s revenue soared from approximately $20 million to $150 million in 2024, with ambitious targets of $350 million for 2026.

“I am proud of the fact that, regardless of what was coming at us, we kept our focus on who we are as a company. We used our core values to guide us towards our core purpose. When we do that, we do the right things for customers. And when we do the right things for customers, we have the opportunity to do the right things for our people,” Freeman explained during his featured interview with Greg Cummings.

Freeman’s leadership philosophy centers on preparation and resilience. “One of the adages I use often is luck favors the prepared,” he shared, describing how the team capitalized on early 2024 weather events while maintaining focus through market uncertainties. He added, “My team has got really good at not running into a wall and standing there looking at it. They run into that wall and quickly find ways to work around it, climb over it, and be able to overcome what gets in front of us and be able to succeed regardless of the adversity or challenges that we face”.

Greg Cummings praised Freeman’s industry impact, stating during the 2024 Peak Profit Summit in Houston, “James is our number one ranked CEO on our platform. About three and a half years ago, they were a mid-sized company about 25 to 30 million. Now, fast forward three and a half years later, they’re treading right now for 150 million plus”.

Building a Culture of Excellence

Freeman’s commitment to employee development manifests through PJ University, the company’s internal educational organization that focuses on technical training, developmental training, and leadership development. The Emerging Leaders program identifies high-potential employees and prepares them for leadership roles before promotion, providing essential skills in performance reviews, constructive criticism, problem-solving, negotiation, and customer empathy.

“By focusing on our leaders early and preparing them for the moment, they have a better opportunity to support their teams and allow them to be able to achieve the goals that we set as a company,” Freeman explained. The program’s success is evident in leaders like Kyle Miller, who after completing the Emerging Leaders program and being promoted to sales management, increased closing percentages by over 10% and grew average ticket size by nearly 33% in just six months.

Amanda Kleiman, Director of HR at PJ Fitzpatrick, expressed her gratitude for the company’s culture: “I feel lucky to be part of a great team environment with great people”. Paul Sweeney, COO at PJ Fitzpatrick, shared his excitement about the company’s trajectory: “The world is the limit”.

The company’s exceptional culture was on full display at the 2025 PJ Fitzpatrick Team Party, featuring food vendors, mechanical bulls, a dance floor, and live band. Jason Phillips, Vice President of Production, described the event’s significance: “Our core value is building a team culture, getting everybody together, and making it fun”. Tiffany Palmer, Senior Human Resources Generalist, emphasized, “The culture is what keeps me at PJ Fitzpatrick”. An employee named Pete captured the family atmosphere: “At PJ Fitzpatrick, everyone knows each other very well. We are a family”.

Customer Satisfaction Excellence

Power100’s due diligence included in-home customer interviews that revealed consistent insights into PJ Fitzpatrick’s commitment to quality and care. Margaret Lynch, whose relationship with PJ Fitzpatrick spans nearly a decade, shared, “They were polite, efficient, and fixed issues we didn’t even know existed”. Linda Morrow described her experience as “unbelievably smooth from start to finish,” adding, “No bumps, no surprises—just flawless work”. Valerie Charles praised the team’s communication: “They kept us informed every step of the way”.

These testimonials reflect the company’s A+ BBB rating and 4.8-star ratings across Google and Guild Quality reviews. PJ Fitzpatrick backs their work with a lifetime workmanship guarantee that aligns with material lifespan and handles all manufacturer paperwork and claims, providing customers with genuine peace of mind.

Strategic Growth and Expansion

Freeman’s strategic vision has driven PJ Fitzpatrick’s expansion into new markets and service categories. In 2024, the company successfully expanded into New York through the acquisition of Bathroom Buddy Remodeling, a Long Island-based company. This strategic acquisition, which began as an organic relationship at a January 2022 Jacuzzi dealer conference in the Dominican Republic, exemplifies Freeman’s collaborative leadership approach.

John Huxtable, former owner of Bathroom Buddy, described Freeman’s generosity: “Most people know James as a CEO, as a C-level individual, but he’s very, very disarming, meaning that he comforts you very quickly. He comes across as a very genuine person”. Alexander Keyles, co-owner of Bathroom Buddy, added, “Our companies were so aligned to begin with. Our core values, our systems and our processes were almost identical. I don’t feel like I’m working for a different business now or for a different company. It just feels like an extension, a bigger and better extension of Bathroom Buddy”.

The company also established a strategic partnership with Okna Windows, adding premium window solutions to their product lineup. Voitek Kaniewski, co-founder of Okna Windows, noted during a PowerChat, “Reputation brings value” when discussing why PJ Fitzpatrick was an ideal partner.

Teresa Ernst, Chief Marketing Officer at PJ Fitzpatrick, acknowledged the challenges of expansion: “Anytime you get into a new market you have to ensure you understand the customer base”. Jeremy McKinney, VP of Sales, and Jason Phillips, Vice President of Production, have been instrumental in executing these growth strategies while maintaining the company’s high standards.

Industry Leadership and Impact

Freeman’s influence extends beyond PJ Fitzpatrick as he has become a prominent thought leader in the home improvement industry. His presentation at the 2024 Peak Profit Summit in Houston on creating a culture of accountability demonstrated his commitment to elevating industry standards. During the presentation, Greg Cummings emphasized, “At the core of what we do, everything is leadership at Power100. We’ve developed a ranking system that actually allows us to rank intangibles of leadership, which is very difficult to do”.

Freeman attributes much of his knowledge to networking with industry leaders who willingly share experiences and best practices. “I network just as much as I try to give back. I am getting that same information and same support flowing to me,” he explained, mentioning collaborative relationships with other top-ranked CEOs. He reflected on the impact of his industry contributions: “This was the first year where I really started to understand the impact that people have, that I potentially have when supporting others. When we share openly, not for the purpose of gaining for ourselves, but for the betterment of others and betterment of the industry, and ultimately, giving the best to the customers we all serve”.

Looking Ahead

Freeman’s vision for PJ Fitzpatrick’s future focuses on continued expansion while maintaining the values that earned the company its #1 ranking. “If we care for our people, we win with our customers,” he emphasized, articulating the philosophy driving the company’s $225 million revenue target for 2025.

The integration of Bathroom Buddy continues smoothly, with Freeman noting, “By handling these moments earlier and getting people to buy in and understand that we’re there to support them, help them grow and prosper, we then can get them into the position to be asked of, okay, we want to launch this new product. We want to be able to stretch out a little bit further from a geographic standpoint”.

Greg Cummings summed up Freeman’s achievement: “Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to seems confident in their work. They know their role and how to be successful because of programs like the Emerging Leaders Program”.

For more information about James Freeman and PJ Fitzpatrick, visit their Power100 landing page or the company website at www.pjfitz.com.

About Power100

Power100 is the nation’s only unbiased third-party platform that ranks the best CEOs and companies in the home improvement industry using a comprehensive 5-layer proprietary ranking system. Power100 evaluates over 7,600 companies to help homeowners make informed decisions when remodeling their homes. For more information, visit www.power100.io.