Justin Hogan, Sales Manager and Co-Owner, Free State Boat Docks - Guest Editor #2

Steel, Service, and the Shoreline: An Interview with Guest Editor Justin Hogan of Free State Boat Docks

On Smith Lake, the shoreline is more than just where the land meets the water; it is the front door to a lifestyle. As our second guest editor and the sales manager and co-owner of Free State Boat Docks, Justin Hogan has dedicated his career to helping neighbors realize the full potential of that shoreline. We recently sat down with Justin to discuss his personal connection to these waters and how his commitment to superior build quality and service has defined the Free State legacy for three decades.

This journey began in 1996 with a simple search for a dock with structural integrity. Upon purchasing their first lake home, Justin and his father, Dan Hogan, found themselves disappointed by the options available on the market. Deciding to take matters into their own hands, they launched a father-son project that would ultimately redefine dock construction on Smith Lake, growing from a single personal dock into a premier regional brand.​

​"We realized very quickly that we weren’t the only ones looking for something better," Justin recalls. "Once the neighbors saw what my father and I had built, they started asking if we could do the same for them. We started Free State because there was a clear need on this lake for a dock that was engineered to last, not just something that would get by for a few seasons."

Justin Hogan of Free State Boat Docks. Photo credit: John D. Palmer.

Photo credit: Rick Grainger, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

Photo credit: Rick Grainger, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

Photo credit: Rick Grainger, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

The Value of the Investment
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Today, that mission continues through a focus on total transparency. Because a dock represents a major financial commitment, Justin believes homeowners deserve to understand the "why" behind the build before it ever hits the water. This openness is particularly vital in Alabama—a caveat emptor state where the legal burden of "buyer beware" rests solely on the homeowner. By offering a 15-year structural warranty and pulling back the curtain on his engineering and materials, Justin ensures his clients aren’t just hoping for quality, but are making an informed investment backed by long-term accountability.
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"A boat dock is not a small-ticket purchase; a family is investing in their future," Justin explains. "They’re making a capital investment because a dock increases the value of their property, and it directly affects the fun they have—or do not have—on the water."
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To ensure that investment is sound, Justin encourages potential clients to look beyond the sales brochure and see the work in progress.

"The first thing I want a customer to do is come see our building process," he says. "I want them to see our infrastructure, our people, and the scale of our operation so they know exactly who they are trusting.”

Engineering for "Big Water"
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Professional dock building in North Alabama requires a mastery of "big water." Justin has spent decades observing how Smith Lake reacts to storms and heavy holiday wakes—knowledge he has recently applied to Free State’s expansion into the Pickwick and Guntersville markets. He advocates for structural steel, arguing that true strength is found in engineering rather than sheer weight.
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"Between the storms and the wakeboard traffic, it is imperative to have a one-piece, True Truss construction, structural steel frame," Justin says. "It provides the durability and longevity that families need to protect their investment for the long haul."

Customizing Your Build:  The Blackout Series
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Beyond that structural engineering, aesthetics play a massive role in a dock's long-term value.  Free State recently introduced their highly anticipated Blackout Boat Dock System, featuring a sleek, premium powder-coated finish over that same heavy-duty steel frame.  Available for both Deluxe and Standard models in all sizes and specifications, the clean, all-black look can also be swapped for practically any other color to match any modern lakeside architecture without sacrificing an ounce of strength underneath.

Photo credit: Rick Grainger, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

Photo credit: Rick Grainger, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

Photo credit: Rick Grainger, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

Blackout Boat Dock System, Photo credit: John D. Palmer

Photo credit: John D. Palmer, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

The 24-Hour Rule: A Personal Standard

Perhaps the most telling aspect of Justin’s leadership is his "24-hour rule." In an industry where service can be elusive after an installation is complete, he and his father have built a team of 62 employees and a massive fleet of workboats to ensure their customers always have a response.

"If you have a problem with your boat dock, we must, by our policy, be at your property within 24 hours to address it," Justin says. "We have the size to do that. We have the ability to maintain our own product. In my opinion, that is the biggest difference between Free State and any other company."

This dedication is tangible; Justin’s cell phone number is written directly on the front and back of every dock they manufacture.
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"I want to know about a question immediately,” he says. “If you have a question on a Sunday about a cable adjustment or your boat lift, you can always pick up your phone and text me. I want to be available when the question comes to mind."

Photo credit: Rick Grainger, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

When the work day ends, Justin’s focus shifts to the woods and the Winston County roots that shaped him. A dedicated advocate for conservation and habitat management, he balances his time in the field with a commitment to his family, prioritizing the hours spent with his wife, Salley Hogan, and his children. This local legacy is already extending to the next generation; his son, Evan, a senior at Winston County High School and a competitive archer, now spends his afternoons learning the family trade at Free State Boat Docks.

Built for the Long Haul

For Justin, the true measure of success is found in the longevity of the relationships he has built since that first project with his father. He operates with a deep sense of accountability to the people of North Alabama, believing that a lasting legacy is built on the strongest steel and a reliable word. Working with Justin means partnering with a professional who believes a job worth doing requires the strongest steel and a reliable word.

Editor’s Note:

We are honored to have Justin serve as the second guest editor of The Lakeside Life magazine.  If you're interested in becoming a future guest editor and joining our team for an upcoming issue, please reach out to us for consideration.  

​To connect with Justin or tour the Free State facility to see the True Truss process in person, visit FreeStateBoatDocks.com or call 205-272-0504.​

We also encourage you to follow Free State Boat Docks on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest company news, specials, used docks for sale, and informative videos, including their popular "Dock Talk" series.

​Article originally published 5/5/26
Article updated 6/12/26

Ole Miss Baseball Coach Mike Bianco (featured in a previous article) with Justin Hogan. Photo provided by Free State Boat Docks.

Photo credit: Rick Grainger, provided by Free State Boat Docks.

Writer John D. Palmer

WRITER:  John D. Palmer began his career in 2017 as a staff writer at The Moulton Advertiser, where he developed a particular passion for covering agricultural and outdoor stories in Lawrence County, Alabama. Since then, he has gone on to become a public relations professional and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief at The Lakeside Life magazine, Smith Lake’s premier publication, and as founder of The Wild Acre and Wild Acre Media.  In his spare time, he can often be found somewhere on the water or water’s edge with a rod and reel in hand.

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