License No. 470 was among the very first licenses issued by the Philippine Construction Accreditation Board dated July 11, 1969.   It was also one of the first steps taken by the A.J. Ledesma Construction Corp. in the pursuit of its president’s dream.  Barely a year after graduation, ALEXANDER J. LEDESMA, had his mind set on gaining the experience in building.  He aspired to maximize his civil engineering degree by creating a structure of every construction type.  Thus, he intended to build roads, bridges, airports, runways, harbors, vertical and residential structures and he figured that a construction outfit of his own will better serve his goals.



          The A.J.  Ledesma Construction Corporation’s was initially classified   under category  "D" by the licensing board for construction companies.  The fact that such a category did not correspond to the highest level became a motivational force for the company to improve its ranking.  The firm was so driven that it eventually reached the coveted "AAA" ranking.



          The very first challenge which the company undertook was the construction of the University of the Philippines’ High School Building in Ledesma’s native Iloilo. The company also constructed the College of Arts and Sciences for the same university.  The firm went on to complete several ambitious World Bank financed projects such as the Lapaz Port Road, the Iloilo Airport's Control Tower and Runway, and one of the province's major irrigation projects.



          A.J.  Ledesma Construction Corporation looked beyond its immediate surroundings holding true to its vision of creating positive change beyond the vicinity. In Antique, for instance, the company built the Bureau of Equipment's Area Shop for the Ministry of Public Works & Highways as well as some farm to market roads which were part of the World Bank – IBRD financed  Philippine Rural Infrastructure Project.  In Roxas City, the company built   the province's airport terminal and the city’s drainage system.    Moving southwards, another terminal was constructed in Davao City where it also worked on an Iceplant.  In Zamboanga City, the company again handled the construction of the airport's control tower.



          The ever inquisitive A.J. Ledesma saw another opportunity to pioneer into unfamiliar regions to seize the opportunities at hand.  He pursued further education through The Construction Executive Program at Stanford University where his horizons were further expanded.  Invigorated with new ideas, he started the Stellar Development Corporation, the sister company of A.J.  Ledesma Construction Corporation established in 1984 in the United States. Stellar Development Corp. successfully completed construction on the Westwood Excelsior Apartments and the Hamel Apartments in Los Angeles as well as a residential house in Palos Verdes, Los Angeles.  Ledesma is currently President of Stellar Development while his sister, Architect Elizabeth J. Ledesma, oversees its operations as Chief Operating Officer. 



          In addition to its international endeavors,  A.J.  Ledesma Construction Corporation has had substantial involvement in local real estate development.  The Royal Thai Embassy, a venture which was owned and developed by the corporation, was completed in 1983.  This structure can be located at  Rada  St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.   The company continued its growth in the   Makati construction scene with the creation of The Valero Tower at 122 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.  This building is now home to the main office of AJLCC. 

Another facet of real estate which has become an objective of the corporation is the development of subdivisions.   A.J. Ledesma saw it fit to return to his home province of Iloilo to create the Villa Carolina Village, which is built on a 15 hectares land area and houses around 1,250 units.  The company is a proponent of the saying “to whom much is given, much is expected”.  With this thrust of social consciousness the Family Village Resources at GMA, Cavite was constructed.  This contains 1800 units for socialized housing.



          It is envisioned that this particular portion of the housing industry will continue to grow.  The backlog has been estimated by the government shelter agencies at 3,000,000 units.



          With the steadfast leadership of its President and the support of his team of visionaries, the A.J. Ledesma Construction Corporation has surpassed its expectations in both financial growth as well as in the personal growth of its members.  The company’s workforce presently totals a highly motivated staff of about three hundred people.