Carlos Guidry, a Turner Industries mainstay since 1992, has steadily risen through the ranks, taking on roles of increasing responsibility across the company. Today, he leads construction and module fabrication, driving major expansions in Turner’s modularization efforts. Over the years, his experience has spanned both hands-on and supervisory positions—procurement, material receiving, planning, cost control, field and project engineering, and full project management. A certified National Center for Construction Education and Research instructor, Guidry has also shared his expertise by teaching blueprint reading at the Pelican Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors training center.
CAUSE I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT
Operations for Heroes is an organization that assists our currently deployed service members and our veterans. I lead its fundraising efforts.
MOTTO
Never stop.
HOW I STAY AHEAD OF DISRUPTION
Always look ahead and look for other market opportunities.
DO-OVER WISH
I would teach more.
BUSINESS ADVICE I’D SHARE WITH OTHERS
Everyone is a salesperson, no matter your position in the company.
NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW
I was an assistant manager at Piccadilly.
LAST BOOK I READ THAT MADE AN IMPACT
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, by Alfred Lansing, about the 1914-1917 expedition where Ernest Shackleton and his 28 crew members survived after their ship was crushed by Antarctic ice. It enforced my motto: to never stop.
ADVICE TO MY YOUNGER SELF
Stick with your core beliefs and adhere to what your parents instilled in you.
HOW I INSPIRE MY TEAM
I give them goals and reward them when they accomplish them. I also let all of my team members know that if they want to move up, they need to train people to take their place.
UNEXPECTED PASSION
Shooting sporting clays
BIGGEST RISK I’VE EVER TAKEN
Teaching a blueprint reading course at ABC. I had never considered teaching and I was scared to death about standing in front of a class. After the first semester, I had multiple students share stories of how they were given opportunities to advance in their careers because of what I taught them. This made it worthwhile and also taught me not to be afraid of standing up in front of a large crowd.
BUCKET LIST ITEM
Learn to fly airplanes. I love the feeling of flying.
BUSINESS CHALLENGE I OVERCAME
I had an opening for a project manager, and I was afraid I might overlook someone, so I sent out a memo to all of my team members asking who was interested. I was quite shocked at the responses. Some I thought for sure would want the position did not, while others I never thought would want it did. It was truly an eye-opening experience.
FIRST SET OF WHEELS
A 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser. It was hot and rough riding, but a blast to drive. Everyone wanted to ride in it.
