Project and Business Development Manager • Crump Wilson Architects
Eric Kimbrough’s latest professional milestone began well before a project reached the drawing board. He pursued the opportunity, developed the proposal and negotiated Crump Wilson Architects’ role on the Hyundai Steel project, securing one of the Baton Rouge firm’s largest new opportunities.
That win reflects a career spent learning how complex industrial projects work—and how to bring the right people together to deliver them. Over 15 years, Kimbrough has moved from design and construction coordination into project management, planning and business development, supporting work for such clients as ExxonMobil and BASF.
Now, his responsibilities reach into the future of the nearly five-decade-old firm. He helps shape strategy and operations, develops new business and carries forward client relationships built by earlier leaders, while mentoring younger professionals.
A leadership lesson I learned the hard way: “Know when to walk away. Not every client or opportunity is a good fit. It took time to learn that sometimes saying no is the better decision for your team, the business and even the client. Being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing the right work.
A quirky talent: “When dinnertime hits, it’s like an episode of Chopped or Iron Chef. Give me whatever happens to be in the refrigerator and pantry, and I can usually pull off a pretty decent meal.”
