In 1977, my grandfather passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind Barriere Construction, a paving and construction company in Louisiana. Without any prior industry experience, my grandmother Betty Lou stepped in to lead the company. With support from trusted advisors and managers, she strengthened its foundation with values that would define our family legacy.

For 12 years, Betty Lou led with purpose, prioritizing employee well-being and safety above all. Her commitment wasn't about profits, it was about people. She refused to let her employees face unemployment, and even established an interest-free loan program to protect workers from predatory lenders - an initiative I'm particularly proud of. When my father took the reins for the next 25 years, these core values remained. Under his leadership and with the hard work of incredible employees and partners, the company grew nearly tenfold, but Betty Lou's influence on our company culture never diminished and I believe those values hold strong under new ownership.

Betty Lou's legacy extended beyond policies - her leadership style paved the way for other women in our company. Her influence directly contributed to the hiring of several exceptional female project managers and estimators, two of whom ranked among the strongest performers in the company for many years. She showed that construction wasn't just a man's world - it was a place where leadership, regardless of gender, could thrive. As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, I'm honoring my grandmother Betty Lou - a pioneering woman who proved that compassionate leadership builds businesses and lasting legacies. Love you, Gran!

(Apologies for the shorter newsletter this week - I'm traveling, but couldn't let Women in Construction Week pass without honoring Betty Lou and all the incredible women changing our industry!)

Best,

Tristan

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About the Author

Tristan Wilson is the CEO and Founder of Edgevanta. We make software that helps contractors win more work at the right price. He is a 4th Generation Contractor, construction enthusiast, ultra runner, and bidding nerd. He worked his way up the ladder at Allan Myers in the Mid-Atlantic and his family’s former business Barriere Construction before starting Edgevanta in Nashville, where the company is based. Reach out to him at [email protected]