His story and that of Nolen Companies is not a fairy tale – it’s a true success story driven by vision, a dedication to excellence and a straightforward, honest approach to business.”
BUILDER/ARCHITECT MAGAZINE
The Nolen Company‘s obsession with quality and customer satisfaction is not just a corporate guideline, it’s a family tradition that goes back four generations. The legacy began with Jim’s great-grandfather who emigrated to Philadelphia from Ireland in the 1800’s. Beginning as a laborer, James F. Nolen eventually started his own firm and was a major contractor for the construction of Philadelphia’s Broad Street Subway in the 1920’s. His son, James A. Nolen turned to residential construction and with his partner Charles Erny completed over 2,000 homes in the 1930’s. Jim Nolen’s father, James A. Nolen, Jr., founded Nolen & Swinburne Architects, a firm that earned national recognition as the designers of many superb buildings such as the Pennsylvania State Office Building in Philadelphia and the Housing and Urban Development and Health, Education and Welfare buildings in Washington, D.C.
Jim Nolen followed his father’s path through Notre Dame and graduated with a degree in Architecture and worked in various positions in the family’s firms. Upon his return from the armed services in 1966, Jim joined Nolen, Swinburne & Associates, Architects, where he designed and supervised construction of multi-million dollar commercial and institutional projects including buildings at Temple University and Mercer County Community College. In 1969, Jim moved into the residential arena, honing his skills in positions with various private and publicly-held development companies. In 1976, Jim formed his own building and development company. In the years that have followed, the Nolen Companies, Inc. has created over two dozen outstanding communities in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania and Glouster and Atlantic Counties in New Jersey. As president of the Company, he has secured construction financing and built over 1,600 homes and developed over 2,000 residential lots that were sold to other builders. Today Jim continues to insure the superior reputation the Nolen name has enjoyed for four generations.
Jim’s brother-in-law, Paul J. Finley, joined the firm in 1977. Paul is a graduate of Villanova University. He started as an assistant Superintendent, quickly advanced to Superintendent, Project Manager and is now in charge of all construction for the Nolen Companies, Inc. Paul holds a Real Estate Broker’s license and is the past President of the Chester and Delaware County Homebuilders Association. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Builders Association, the National Association of Homebuilders and the International Code Council (ICC). Paul’s years of experience in every aspect of the building industry, from carpentry and construction contracts to customizations and code enforcement, add outstanding value to the Nolen Company’s team.
Both Jim Nolen and Paul Finley bring a high standard of personal integrity and dedication to the craft of homebuilding that is unquestioned by their peers, employees and customers alike.