Building a New Legacy

Big business deals and the headlines they generate require leadership to make the relationship building, strategizing, negotiations and contract signing all line up. For Joy Rohadfox, CEO of minority-owned construction management company Rohadfox, those lessons came from her father, who founded the company in 1976.

Joy Rohadfox, CEO, Rohadfox. Photo credit: Ben Rollins

She says Ronald Rohadfox taught her that leadership is not about visibility or recognition, but about “steadiness, respect and showing up consistently for others.” Humility, intention and care for others are essential.

“A defining moment in my career came when I assumed leadership of Rohadfox [in 2001] and recognized that I was not simply managing projects, but stewarding a legacy built on trust and responsibility,” she says. “Leading complex infrastructure programs with significant public impact reinforced for me that leadership requires clarity, accountability and a long-term view.”

That philosophy helped Rohadfox beat out competing bids for the $1.4 billion expansion of Concourse D, part of a larger capital program at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The project will allow for greater passenger traffic, as well as larger aircraft at all gates.

This year marks 50 years since her father started the company, something she hopes to honor with her relationship-centered approach to leadership.

“Centering people – listening, developing talent and building trust – has allowed Rohadfox to grow thoughtfully and sustain strong partnerships,” she says.

“Leading complex infrastructure programs with significant public impact reinforced for me that leadership requires clarity, accountability and a long-term view.” – Joy Rohadfox, CEO, Rohadfox

Growing Together

For Christy Kovac, president and CEO of Macon-based Sheridan Construction, the move into leadership was marked by a realization: While technical expertise can build projects, investing in people builds a company.

Christy Kovac, President and CEO, Sheridan Construction. Photo credit: Maryann Bates

“A defining moment in my career came around 2014 when the company’s owner began planning his succession and invited me into a broader leadership role,” she says. “That experience helped me transition from applying the technical knowledge I learned in college and through my work to leading and developing my teammates. As a result, I began investing more intentionally in my own personal growth through advisers and peer groups.”

The strategy seems to have paid off, with Sheridan Construction eventually landing a contract to build Mercer University’s new medical school. The $80 million project, which is expected to transform downtown Macon, will anchor a multiuse development located along the Ocmulgee River and visible from Interstate 16.

“Often, the most meaningful projects are earned through long-term trust and a commitment to doing the work the right way,” Kovac says. “Being awarded this project reflects Sheridan Construction’s more than 50-year relationship with Mercer University. The school will form a grand entrance to Macon.”

Major developments may get the lion’s share of attention, but leaders are the ones who keep people and plans aligned to make the projects possible – despite challenges. Kovac credits courage and perseverance – her get-to-work song “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons helps her conjure the grit to overcome obstacles – as essential traits in her upward climb in the construction industry.

“Perseverance has helped me stay consistent through challenges and long-term growth, while courage has enabled me to step into new roles, make difficult decisions and move forward without always having every answer,” she says.

“Often, the most meaningful projects are earned through long-term trust and a commitment to doing the work the right way.” – Christy Kovac, president and CEO, Sheridan Construction

Serving Others

Good leaders build trust, empower others and inspire positive action. Great ones go above and beyond, combining caring and calculated risk-taking to make a difference in people’s lives. It’s something Chondra Myers, the president and CEO of WEBMyers Construction, learned two decades ago when she led the company Homes Built by Mom. Her compassionate vision and commitment were crucial as she oversaw the construction of a 16-home community in Powder Springs that caters to the needs of mothers.

Chondra Myers, President and CEO, WEBMyers Construction. Photo credit: Daemon Baizan

“I took a bold step toward entrepreneurship in 2005, and the experience was transformative – it taught me resilience, strategic thinking and the importance of aligning business goals with community impact,” she says.

Many folks might retreat from the housing business after undertaking a development right before the residential market crash, but the venture reinforced Myers’ determination to lead with purpose. Whether it is from the support of her mother or her latest business lesson or inspiration, she is driven to help people. She went on to work as director of business development for two big construction firms in Metro Atlanta. Those experiences laid the foundation for her launch of WEBMyers, “where I continue to combine entrepreneurial vision with a commitment to creating opportunities for others.”

Flash forward to the present where her contracting business continues to rack up significant projects, including securing a joint venture partnership with Swinerton Builders. In 2023, the partnership was selected as one of the city’s managing general contractor on-call providers for Hartsfield-Jackson airport construction projects, which will total $23.2 million.

“This milestone … demonstrates the power of partnerships in creating opportunities for small businesses,” says Myers, who is inspired by the resilience of the subcontractor community. “Our goal is to leverage these partnerships to push for greater inclusion of small businesses and vendors across the region.”

What’s next for the former commercial furniture salesperson and her firm? Whatever it is, you can bet it’ll be inclusive and impactful.

“By fostering relationships that open doors and create equitable access, WEBMyers is positioning itself – and the community – for sustainable success,” Myers says.

No Backing Down

Business, like life, is full of challenges. And some leaders find it is best to face those challenges head-on. Referencing a president with ties to Georgia, Bree Pattillo of Pattillo Construction, an industrial general contractor in Atlanta, may speak softly but emphasizes the “carry a big stick” aspect of being the company’s chief executive.

Bree Pattillo, Owner and CEO, Pattillo Construction. Photo credit: Contributed

“Teddy Roosevelt’s ‘Man in the Arena’ speech reminds me that leadership is a fight,” says the CEO of the woman-owned contractor. “What matters most is the willingness to show up and engage in the struggle.”

Pattillo spotlights integrity and loyalty as her two most prominent leadership traits.

“Without integrity, everything falls apart,” she says. “It has always served as my North Star, guiding what I should and should not do, especially during challenging times. Our business relies heavily on personal relationships, and honoring and respecting those relationships is the cornerstone of loyalty.”

For Pattillo, the pressure ratchets up even more because she is leading a family business that’s been around for 75 years. In 2015, when her mother Elizabeth Parker, the third-generation owner of the company, decided to hand over the reins to her daughter, Pattillo fully understood the importance of that responsibility.

“It was very much a sink-or-swim moment,” she says. “I had to redefine and rebrand the construction company during a significant shift in our [leadership] structure. Having not only the opportunity but the blessing of the generations before me illustrated to me that I could handle more than I ever thought I could.”

Pattillo Construction continues to attract new business – with most of its work coming from previous clients and referrals. Pattillo credits the client retention to both loyalty and the strength of the partnerships the company has built over time, which “carried us through what felt like the bottom of the market cycle in 2025.”