Barriere is a family-owned business, currently operated by the Wilson brothers, George, Peter, and Bert. The Wilson family has operated the company since the 1940s, when their grandfather, Gaines Wilson, bought a construction company in Kentucky. Road construction was the focus of the company for many years and the company soon became well known and trusted. During the 1950s and 1960s, Gaines Wilson came to own all or part of fifteen different paving and aggregate companies and operated four hot mix asphalt plants in the southeast.
In 1954, his son, George H. Wilson, Sr., was sent to New Orleans to run the company that would later be renamed Barriere Construction. Soon after, Gaines retired, and George Sr. was given control of the entire company. Gaines Wilson died in 1972; George Sr. became ill in 1975 and died in 1977. His sons (aged 17-24) were too young to run the business, so his wife, Betty Wilson, went to work as Chairman of Barriere Construction Company, and the company prospered under her leadership. Her decision to take the reins of the company demonstrated her concern for the over-100 families who worked for and depended upon Barriere. Although Mrs. Wilson was not experienced in construction, she was determined to provide a caring company, ethical and safe operations, and good wages with good benefits for workers. Mrs. Wilson has since retired, but her legacy of general concern for employees continues through her sons. Currently, George H. Wilson, Jr., serves as President of the company; Peter Wilson, Senior Vice President, runs the Northshore Division; and Bert Wilson, Senior Vice President, runs the Southshore Asphalt Division.
