Jay Winford graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a Master of Science and a Masters of Business of Administration. In 1991, Jay earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Auburn University while associated with the National Center for Asphalt Technology.

Jay has been associated with research and construction delegations to Japan, China, Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and the Middle East.

Jay, a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers, is twice past president of the Louisiana Asphalt Pavement Association. He is also chairman emeritus of the Board of Directors at the National Center for Asphalt Technology at Auburn University. Currently he is Chairman on the National Asphalt Pavement Association. He resides in Opelousas, Louisiana with his wife Laura. They have two children: James (28) and Katherine (25), both of whom reside in New York City.

Jay is past chairman of the Louisiana Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization. He is president of Prairie Contractors, a hot-mix asphalt producer and contractor with five operations in south central and south western Louisiana. He and partners also own and operate several large scale rail facilities and real estate investments in south Louisiana. Jay is an alumni, twice, of the Harvard Business School.