Like many other Louisianans, Bryan Jones’ life and career shifted following Hurricane Katrina. As Business Report details in its latest Executive Spotlight Q&A, Jones, a mass communication graduate from LSU, was working for Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s communications team when Parsons Brinckerhoff, an engineering firm that was supporting Louisiana’s hurricane recovery program, began looking for a public affairs rep to lead its community outreach.
“It was an offer for a full-time position with benefits and a competitive salary—an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” he says. Two years later, competitor HNTB recruited him, and he’s been there ever since.
“Looking back, I never imagined a career in infrastructure solutions,” he says, “but I’m grateful to play a major role—from policy to delivery—in advancing the nation’s critical infrastructure.”
Jones was promoted earlier this year to associate vice president and Gulf Coast district deputy office leader for HNTB, giving him responsibility over the infrastructure solutions firm’s operations in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Jones says his greatest challenge now has been transitioning back to the local office in a line leadership role from serving two years in a staff position at the 11-state division level.
“My entire career has been centered for the last 12 years on the marketing, government relations and strategic planning aspects of our business. As deputy office leader, I am now responsible for operations, business and employee development,” he says. “There’s a learning curve, but I am excited about the opportunity and the new challenge.”
Read the full feature. Here’s a sample of what you will find:
What is one thing about your job people don’t expect or know about?
People are most surprised when they learn HNTB has a renowned sports architecture practice that has designed several recognizable new venues and historic stadium renovations including the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi Stadium, Michigan Stadium, Camping World Stadium (formerly Citrus Bowl) and, you guessed it, Tiger Stadium.
Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.
