Inside Kevin A. French’s Vision for the Next Generation of Construction Leadership

In an industry known for its tight margins, unpredictable cycles, and intense competition, few leaders have managed to scale a regional construction firm into a national player while keeping its people-first culture intact. Kevin A. French, the co-founder and CEO of Landry/French Construction, has done just that—and he’s already thinking about what comes next.

Over nearly four decades in the construction business, French has seen the industry evolve from hand-drawn blueprints to digital modeling, and from small local projects to billion-dollar infrastructure. But through every shift, one constant has guided his leadership: the belief that the next generation must be empowered, not just employed.

From Builder to Visionary

When French co-founded Landry/French Construction in 2010, the country was still climbing out of the Great Recession. Construction firms everywhere were struggling to survive. But where others saw risk, French saw an opportunity—to build a company grounded in trust, collaboration, and accountability.

“We wanted to create something different,” he says. “A company that could compete on quality, integrity, and relationships—not just the lowest bid.”

That philosophy became the foundation for Landry/French’s growth. In just 15 years, the firm has delivered over $1 billion in completed projects, grown to an annual revenue of roughly $300 million, and earned a consistent spot among the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 400 Contractors. The company’s work spans healthcare facilities, educational campuses, corporate headquarters, and complex industrial sites—projects that demand both precision and innovation.

But French’s vision isn’t limited to construction sites. His focus now is on the future of leadership itself—building an organization where the next generation can take the reins with confidence and purpose.

Building a Culture That Outlasts Its Founders

For many firms, succession planning is an afterthought. For French, it’s a central mission. “I’ve always believed leadership is temporary,” he explains. “You’re a steward of something bigger than yourself.”

Under his guidance, Landry/French has invested heavily in developing future leaders—from project managers to field superintendents—through mentorship programs, internal promotions, and leadership training. The firm’s culture encourages autonomy, decision-making, and accountability at every level, a model French calls “ownership through trust.”

This approach has produced a loyal workforce and an impressive retention rate in an industry plagued by turnover. Employees are encouraged to grow their careers within the company, while younger hires are paired with seasoned mentors who can pass down decades of institutional knowledge.

Expanding the Horizon

French’s leadership has also been defined by strategic, forward-thinking expansion. In 2023, Landry/French made headlines with its acquisition of MH Williams Construction Group, a 37-year-old firm based in Florida’s Space Coast.

The move was more than a business deal—it was an opportunity to unite two companies with similar cultures and values. “I saw a firm with the same drive to improve, grow, and innovate,” French says. In the first year of ownership, MH Williams gained $550 million in additional bonding capacity, implemented new technologies, and welcomed several key hires across operations and management.

With the Florida acquisition, Landry/French not only extended its geographic footprint but also diversified its portfolio in one of the fastest-growing construction markets in the United States. French sees this as a model for how regional construction firms can evolve into multi-state powerhouses without losing their identity.

Balancing Innovation and Integrity

French’s leadership style is characterized by balance: innovation guided by integrity. While embracing technology—from Building Information Modeling (BIM) to lean construction practices—he remains adamant that people, not software, are the company’s greatest asset.

Under his leadership, Landry/French has been an early adopter of sustainable construction methods and digital project management platforms, improving efficiency and transparency. These innovations help clients manage risk and cost while allowing teams to focus on quality craftsmanship—a hallmark of the company’s reputation.

But for French, technology should never replace trust. “Construction has always been about relationships,” he says. “Technology helps us deliver better results, but integrity keeps clients coming back.”

A Broader Vision for the Industry

As one of the few construction leaders who has guided a company from startup to national recognition, French has a rare long-term perspective on the industry’s challenges and opportunities. He’s seen labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty up close—and believes the key to navigating them lies in cultivating adaptive leaders.

That’s why his current focus is less on personal legacy and more on institutional resilience. “What we’re building isn’t just a company—it’s a platform for people to succeed long after I’m gone,” he says.

Landry/French’s inclusion on the **Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies—now for the fourth time—**is evidence that the model works. Growth has been steady, deliberate, and sustainable, driven by a leadership philosophy that values people as much as profit.

The Next Chapter

Looking ahead, French sees opportunities for continued expansion across the East Coast and deeper into the Southeast. But he insists that growth will never come at the expense of the firm’s culture. “We’ll grow where it makes sense,” he says, “but we’ll always lead with integrity.”

For Kevin A. French, the next generation of construction leadership isn’t defined by titles or age—it’s defined by mindset. It’s about building companies that value collaboration over competition, vision over vanity, and long-term trust over short-term gains.

That may be the blueprint for the next era of construction—one built not just on concrete and steel, but on people who believe, as French does, that leadership is something you build to last.