Escambia County board approves three contractor applicants, opens investigation into one application

The Escambia County Contractor Competency Board on June 3 approved three contractor applications and voted to refer one application for investigation after questions about disclosure of bankruptcy and judgments.

Steve Jones, owner of Steve Jones Contractor LLC, told the board he filed for personal bankruptcy protection after the 2008 housing crash and subsequent financial setbacks, but said he kept his builder’s license current and that prior lawsuits and liens were resolved. Staff reviewed Jones’s application materials, which list an Alabama builder license (no. 15871) and other credentials, and the board approved his request to sit for the residential contractor examination after a motion and voice vote.

Curtis McLaughlin appeared under reconsideration after prior board action. Staff summarized earlier hearings and said McLaughlin had provided limited disclosure documents; the board was shown multiple case filings from Oregon and other records. McLaughlin said he relocated from Oregon, that many subcontractor disputes arose from a large 2019 project and were being paid down with bond and other funds, and that he had assumed his matters were resolved. Board members pressed him on why judgments and related documents were not listed in his application affidavit. County counsel advised the board that misrepresentation on an application could trigger a probable-cause investigation under the code and explained the disciplinary process. The board voted to move McLaughlin’s application into investigation so staff and legal can determine whether misrepresentation occurred.

Jesse Miller, a project manager at Janssen Quality Construction Inc., presented letters verifying roughly 10 years of experience; staff recommended, and the board approved, Miller’s application to take the contractor examination.

Christopher “Chris” Breed applied for reciprocity from Santa Rosa County. Staff confirmed his Santa Rosa County licensure, verified military discharge paperwork used to meet experience requirements, and noted clean criminal and financial checks. The board approved Breed’s reciprocity request.

Board action on applications was taken by motion and voice vote. Where the board identified missing or unclear disclosures (in McLaughlin’s file), it directed staff to investigate further rather than immediately deny or approve. No monetary penalties or disciplinary sanctions were imposed on applicants at this meeting.

What’s next: staff will pursue the investigation into Curtis McLaughlin’s application and return findings to the board. The approved applicants may proceed with the required examination or licensure reciprocity steps as determined by staff and state requirements.