Founded in 1971, Oak Contracting was formed when the John T. McShain Company left the Baltimore area to focus on projects in their hometown market of Philadelphia. The late Thomas E. Grey was a senior project manager for the John T. McShain Company at the time they left the Baltimore area. He agreed to complete the remaining projects in the area, including the State House in Annapolis, and founded Oak Contracting as a general contractor. While finishing these projects, Oak landed its first project, the Harbor Master’s Office in Annapolis. From the early years, Oak found a niche in school construction and has a distinguished record of having one school under construction every year since it’s founding.

In 1988, Mr. Grey retired and his son, Thomas L. Grey, moved into the role of President. Oak continued to grow and was awarded noteworthy projects including various village centers in Columbia for the Rouse Company and the Towson Library expansion, which won an American Concrete Institute workmanship award. In 1992, Oak completed its first project as Construction Manager, for the Elkridge Elementary School in Howard County. In 1996, Oak shifted focus solely to Construction Management services and continues a focus in the K-12 market.