Old Ironsides Construction Sets New Standards in Bakersfield Commercial Construction
News related to:Old Ironsides Construction, Inc · 2 min read
Old Ironsides Construction, a veteran-owned commercial general contractor based in Bakersfield, California, is setting new standards in the region's construction industry. The company, which is licensed under CSLB #1073740 with B General Building and C-8 Concrete classifications, has established itself as a reliable and efficient choice for business owners, developers, and public agencies throughout Kern County and the surrounding areas.
Founded by Lee'o Whisenant, Old Ironsides Construction specializes in a range of commercial construction services, including design-build, tenant improvements, commercial remodels, and public works projects. The company's name is inspired by the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, known as "Old Ironsides," and its operations are guided by the same principles: clear orders, no excuses, and mission first.
According to Whisenant, the company's approach to construction is fundamentally different from that of its competitors.
What sets Old Ironsides apart is its in-house workforce. Rather than relying on subcontractors, the company self-performs critical structural and enclosure trades, including concrete, framing, and lath and plaster. This approach allows the firm to commit to tighter schedules, reduce change orders, and deliver cleaner closeouts. The estimator who walks a property is the same person who manages the work in the field, ensuring there are no handoffs and no surprises mid-job.
Old Ironsides has built a reputation for tackling projects that other contractors avoid. The company has modernized jet-bridge HVAC systems at Meadows Field Airport (BFL), replaced the full HVAC system in the Arvin High School gymnasium, completed a fourth-floor tenant improvement at the Larry E. Reider Education Center, built a ground-up golf-cart warehouse for Taft Union High School District, converted classrooms to offices at Norris Middle School, and built a custom retail kiosk at Valley Plaza.
The company's preconstruction discipline is central to its success. Before crews mobilize, the team studies the site, tests the scope, and locks in a realistic budget and schedule. On design-build and CM/GC projects, Old Ironsides joins owners and design teams early to provide budgeting, phasing, constructability review, and value engineering while drawings are still taking shape.