Keith Scott is Barriere Construction’s newly named Industrial Foreperson of the Year. He
joined Barriere as a foreman in 2000 and was promoted to general foreman in 2014. Known for
his dedication to safety, productivity and his crew members, Keith has distinguished himself as
an exemplary employee and an effective leader.

Honed over four decades working in the construction industry, Keith’s leadership skills have
proved pivotal to the success of the many notable projects he has worked on for Barriere – from
a curb and gutter project at Dillard University and extensive concrete work at the Port of New
Orleans to turnarounds in Sorrento and Denham Springs, among many others.

Shortly after Keith celebrated his 24 th anniversary with Barriere, we sat down with him for a Q&A
to learn a little bit about his life and his experience with the company.

What do you consider to be the most important parts of your role and your work at
Barriere?
Keeping everyone safe is always the top priority. And there are no shortcuts to safety, so we
always follow procedures, especially for PPE. One of the most important things I do is to make
sure everyone is wearing the right PPE for the task they’re performing. No exceptions.

What aspects of your job do you find the most enjoyable?
When I can look back at a job and there’s no rework on it, I find joy in that. Eliminating rework is
an important part of improving productivity, something we are always striving to do. I don’t work
just to make money; I want to be as productive as I can be. When you’re being productive, it
also helps the project managers bid jobs better.

What would you say is the key to your crew’s success?
A big part of it is communication. Over the years, I’ve figured out how to get my crew members
to ask questions and really listen to each other. If there’s a question, ask it. The only stupid
question is the one not asked. It also helps that we have been together for a long time, maybe
longer than any crew at Barriere. Working with some of the same team members for over two
decades means we know how to communicate and work together.

What’s the secret to productivity and getting the job done right?
We doublecheck everything. And my crew is really good about using stop-work authority,
especially on quality issues. They don’t hesitate to speak out before they make the final pour.
We do everything we can to prevent problems before they happen. Our goal is always to
produce high-quality work, with as little rework as possible.

How would you describe the atmosphere and culture at Barriere?

Barriere started as a family-owned business, and to me, it’s still a family-oriented company. I’m
always talking to my guys about how we spend more time with each other than we do with our
own families. And we look out for each other like family.

What skills and attributes do you think are crucial for succeeding in your role?
For one, you have to be construction minded. It’s good to have been around for a while and
know about construction. I’ve been in the industry for over 40 years, and I’ve come to
understand the value of combining the old school and new school ways of doing things. I rely on
my crews to help me get up to speed on technology, especially the younger guys who are good
at things like 3D paving and working with the surveyor to doublecheck everything. We have
some real sharp guys on this.

What hobbies and passions do you pursue outside of work?
Fishing and riding motorcycles. I have a bass boat, and I like to fish on Lake Verret, usually with
a fishing buddy. On my motorcycle, it’s about 25 of us out riding and meeting different people.
Riding together for almost 15 years, we call ourselves the Nubian Kruzers United, and we’re
actually a non-profit organization. We combine our love of motorcycles and giving back to the
community. For example, we recently had a Veterans event where we served meals to the vets.
We make a day of it, and then we ride back home.

How do you maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life?
During the week, I give my all to my 9-to-5. Outside of work, I like to spend time with my family. I
have five kids and seven grandkids who mean the world to me. And really, they’re the reason I
go to work. I feel like it’s the same for my crew. They’re just doing their best to work and live and
have a family life at the same time, but they also know how to find enjoyment in the job and in
working together. I have a wonderful crew.

What are your aspirations or long-term goals?
I’d like to keep working for at least another five or six years before retiring. I am very happy in
my job, and it’s not just about the money. It’s something I really like doing, so I want to enjoy it
as long as I can.

Barriere is pleased to recognize Keith as our Industrial Foreperson of the Year. Congratulations,
Keith! Thank you for your leadership and for the dedication you have consistently brought to
Barriere for nearly a quarter of a century.