About Highlands

A principal-led commercial contractor founded in Houston.

Highlands Construction was founded in 2018 by Assem Mourad and Shaz Butte. Since then, Highlands has grown from a Houston commercial general contractor into a Texas-wide builder serving clients across Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.

The company has grown, but the model has stayed personal: experienced leadership, direct communication, and founders who remain close to the work.

Shaz Butte and Assem Mourad, co-founders of Highlands Construction
01 — The Story

Two builders. One shared standard.

Assem Mourad and Shaz Butte first met in 2010 while working for the same Houston-area developer and construction firm. They built a friendship, followed different paths through the industry, and later came back together to create Highlands.

Assem brought deep estimating and procurement experience from large-scale global construction work. Shaz brought nearly two decades of commercial general contracting experience across retail, hospitality, education, industrial, healthcare, and corporate interiors.

Together, they built Highlands around a practical idea: combine the discipline of large-project construction with the responsiveness and accountability owners expect from a hands-on commercial contractor.

That approach still defines the company today.

02 — Our Model

Senior leadership close to the work.

Highlands is built differently than a high-volume contractor. We grow intentionally, stay selective, and keep senior leadership involved throughout the project.

That means clients work with people who understand the estimate, the field conditions, the subcontractor market, and the decisions required to move a project forward.

We believe this model leads to clearer communication, faster problem-solving, and stronger long-term relationships.

03 — Recognition

Recognition earned through growth, execution, and community involvement.

Inc. 5000 · 2024
No. 1,132 nationally
Recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country and in the Houston Metro.
Houston Business Journal
Most Admired CEO · 2023
Assem Mourad.
Houston Business Journal
40 Under 40 · 2024
Shaz Butte.
Landmark Awards
Clark's Oyster Bar
Recognized for the Houston restaurant build.
Houston Area Women's Center
Board Member
Shaz Butte — co-chaired the 2023 annual luncheon, helping raise $500K+.
CORE Mentorship Program
Founder · Shaz Butte
Connecting mentors and mentees across construction, architecture, engineering, and real estate.
Goldman Sachs
10,000 Small Businesses
Shaz Butte — graduate of the executive education program.
04 — Where We Are Today

Texas-wide, Houston-built.

3M+ SF
Square Feet Delivered
100+
Projects Completed
4
Texas Metros Served
0
Recordable Incidents

Highlands continues to grow across Texas while maintaining the principal-led, relationship-driven approach that shaped the company from the beginning.

05 — Founders

Two co-founders. One firm.

Reach Shaz at shaz@highlandsconstruction.com or Assem at assem@highlandsconstruction.com.

Assem Mourad
Co-Founder

Assem Mourad

Assem Mourad co-founded Highlands Construction in 2018, bringing more than 14 years of construction industry experience. Before Highlands, Assem served as lead global estimator at McDermott, where he managed pricing for large-scale oil and gas construction projects across multiple continents.

His background in estimating, procurement, and complex project planning helps shape Highlands' preconstruction discipline and budgeting approach. Assem was named Houston Business Journal's Most Admired CEO in 2023.

Highlights
  • Co-Founder, Highlands Construction
  • Co-Founder, Highlands Development
  • Houston Business Journal Most Admired CEO, 2023
  • Former Lead Global Estimator, McDermott
  • Business Management and Supply Chain Management, University of Houston
  • MBA candidate, University of Houston
  • Architecture Technology, Damascus Technical College
  • Active member of ACCEI and Urban Land Institute
Email Assem
Shaz Butte
Co-Founder

Shaz Butte

Shaz Butte co-founded Highlands Construction in 2018 after nearly two decades in commercial construction. Before Highlands, he served as director of construction at a mid-sized Houston firm, where he managed operations across multiple commercial sectors — retail, hospitality, education, industrial, modular, corporate interiors, medical, and specialty commercial projects.

In addition to leading Highlands Construction, Shaz co-founded Highlands Development and is an active real estate investor and small-scale developer focused on value creation through repositioning and new development opportunities.

Shaz remains actively involved in project leadership, business development, mentorship, and community partnerships across Houston and the broader Texas market. He founded the CORE Mentorship Program, serves on the Board of the Houston Area Women's Center, and contributes to multiple industry councils and committees.

Highlights & Service
  • Co-Founder, Highlands Construction (2018)
  • Co-Founder, Highlands Development
  • Founder, CORE Mentorship Program
  • Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40, 2024
  • Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses graduate
  • BA Economics, The University of Texas at Austin (2009)
  • Board of Directors, Houston Area Women's Center · 2024 Leadership Campaign Sponsor
  • UT Economics Recent Alumni Committee · ULI Small Development Council · Silver Fox Advisors · Lone Star College Advisory Board
  • Active in ULI, ICSC, NAIOP, BOMA, and Texas Restaurant Association
Email Shaz
06 — How We Work

Five principles that guide the way we build.

These principles shape how Highlands approaches every project — from kickoff conversations to closeout walks.

I · Tell the truth early

Clear information, surfaced early.

We believe clients deserve clear information as early as possible. If a budget, schedule, scope gap, or field condition creates risk, we communicate it before it becomes a bigger issue.

II · Keep principals involved

Decision-makers, not handoffs.

Our founders remain close to the work. Clients have access to experienced decision-makers who understand the estimate, the schedule, the field, and the client's goals.

III · Respect the trades

Strong subcontractor partnerships.

Great projects are built by strong subcontractor relationships. We value fair dealing, clear scopes, timely payment, and long-term trade partnerships.

IV · Send people home safe

Safety is a daily practice.

Safety is not a marketing line. It is a daily jobsite responsibility supported by planning, supervision, training, and accountability.

V · Invest in the community

Build beyond the jobsite.

Highlands is a Houston-built company. We support the organizations, mentorship programs, and workforce pathways that strengthen the communities where we work.

07 — Community

Building beyond the jobsite.

Highlands believes construction companies should contribute to the communities they help shape. Our team supports nonprofit organizations, mentorship programs, workforce development, and local initiatives throughout Houston.

Philanthropy

Houston Area Women's Center

Highlands actively supports the Houston Area Women's Center through fundraising, advocacy, and community involvement. In 2023, Shaz and his wife co-chaired the Center's annual luncheon, helping raise more than $500,000 to support services across the region.

Mentorship

CORE Mentorship Program

Founded by Shaz Butte, the CORE Mentorship Program connects students and young professionals with mentors across construction, architecture, engineering, and real estate. The program helps emerging professionals build relationships, understand career paths, and connect with leaders in the built environment.

Workforce

Workforce & Mentorship

Highlands supports mentorship, apprenticeship pathways, and professional development efforts that help strengthen the next generation of builders.

Let's build
something together.

Whether you have drawings to price, a project to scope, or just want to put us on your bid list — we'd like to hear from you.

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