Some leaders build buildings. The best ones build people.
Israel Brown is one of those leaders. He’s a Bronze Star Medal recipient for Operation Iraqi Freedom, a service-disabled veteran, and the founder of Essayon Construction Group—a Marietta-based general contracting firm that keeps growing because it’s built on discipline, teamwork, and heart.
At I Will Survive, Inc., we’re drawn to stories like that. Our founder, Anisa Palmer, is not a breast cancer survivor. She founded IWS in honor of her mother, who passed away from breast cancer. That lived experience—being a daughter and a caregiver in the ripple effects of cancer—is exactly why we care so much about resilience and community support. Israel’s story fits that same spirit: show up, do the work, and give back.
From Combat Service to Construction Leadership
Israel Brown didn’t just serve—he led under pressure. As a Bronze Star Medal recipient for Operation Iraqi Freedom, he knows what it means to make hard calls, take care of people, and keep moving forward.
In 2012, he brought that same mindset home and founded Essayon Construction Group in Marietta, Georgia. Essayon is a service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB) and minority-owned general contracting firm. What began as a wood framing specialty has grown into a full-service construction partner supporting multifamily and commercial projects across the region.
Building on a Foundation of Excellence
Here’s what makes Essayon different: they’re builders first. Not just contractors checking boxes: actual craftsmen who care about the work they do. The company operates on Lean building principles, which means less waste, more efficiency, and a whole lot of collaboration with trade partners and clients.
Israel didn’t just want to run a construction company. He wanted to run the right kind of construction company: one that prioritizes quality, teamwork, and getting it done right the first time.
Essayon holds some serious credentials that back up its commitment to excellence:
· 8(a) Certification – Small disadvantaged business program
· SDVOSB – Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
· MBE – Minority Business Enterprise
· AABE – African American Business Enterprise
· DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
These aren’t just letters on a page. They represent access, opportunity, and a commitment to diversity in an industry that desperately needs it.
“Building one of the fastest growing private companies isn’t just about speed; it’s about harnessing the power of innovation, adaptability, and relentless determination to redefine what’s possible.” -Israel Brown
Recognition That Matches the Work
Essayon’s growth has gotten real attention—without losing the “roll-up-your-sleeves” mindset that built the company in the first place.
In 2024, Inc. Magazine recognized Essayon Construction Group as No. 119 on the Inc. Magazine 2024 Southeast Region Fastest- Growing Private Companies list. That same year, the Cobb Chamber named Essayon a Top 25 Small Business (2024).
Israel puts the mindset behind that kind of momentum like this:
> “Building one of the fastest growing private companies isn’t just about speed; it’s about harnessing the power of innovation, adaptability, and relentless determination to redefine what’s possible.”
A Builder of People (Not Just Projects)
Here’s what we respect most: Israel isn’t only focused on what gets built. He’s focused on who gets built up along the way.
· He coaches and mentors youth through the North Cobb High School football program
· He’s a board member and donor for the Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb
· And Essayon’s motto stays front and center: “Out Work, Out Serve, Out Give.”
That’s not just a line. It’s a standard. It shows up in how he leads, how his team operates, and how they make room for others to grow.
Why We’re Celebrating Israel
Israel’s story is a reminder that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. He served in combat, earned a Bronze Star, came home, and built a company that creates opportunity—while still carving out time to coach kids and support local healthcare access.
And we want to be just as clear about our own “why,” too: Anisa Palmer is not a breast cancer survivor. She founded I Will Survive, Inc. in honor of her mother, who passed away from breast cancer. That mission was born from being a daughter and watching how cancer can shake a family’s world.
That’s why Israel’s “builder of people” approach connects here. At IWS, we believe resilience grows faster when people don’t have to carry everything alone. Israel’s work—on job sites and in the community—reflects that same belief.
