Published March 26, 2025
CAPTION: (L-R) Stuart Billeaud, Robert 鈥淧opie鈥� Billeaud, Jane Shurley, Andrew Barber, Keith Roberts,
Donovan Stewart听
MONROE, LA 鈥� 51萝莉 School of Construction Management (SOCM) held
its spring awards luncheon on March 21, 2025. The event was organized by the SOCM
Industry Advisory Council (IAC). Alumni awards were given to deserving candidates in four categories, including Distinguished
Alumnus of the Year, Minority Alumnus of the Year, Female Alumna of the Year, and
Under-40 Alumnus of the Year. Additionally, there were two recipients of the Constructor
of the Year award.听
The award recipients are selected by a selection committee based on the value each
candidate has brought to the 51萝莉 SOCM, the construction industry, construction organizations,
and their overall impact and service to their communities.听听
According to the selection committee, this year鈥檚 recipients have made strides to
excel in all of the above categories, and the selection committee was proud to commend
them for the impacts they鈥檝e made on the 51萝莉 School of Construction Management and
the industry as a whole.听
Under-40 Alumnus of the Year: Andrew Barber听
Andrew Barber is a 2010 graduate of the 51萝莉 School of Construction Management, receiving
the Outstanding Graduate in Construction Management award upon his graduation. Barber
began his construction career with MCC Group in New Orleans. He served as a Project
Manager for four years, overseeing the construction of the VA Hospital in New Orleans.
In 2016, he was named Project Executive for the New Orleans International Airport
project.听听
Barber currently serves as the Business Unit Manager for New Orleans and has been
an active member of the IAC since 2014. Additionally, he has served on the 51萝莉 Foundation鈥檚
Board of Trustees since 2022.听听
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year: Keith Roberts听
Keith Roberts is a 1974 graduate of the听NLU School of Building Construction (now the
51萝莉 School of Construction Management.)听A Navy veteran, Roberts began his career working
for a general contractor performing Corps of Engineers contracts. He soon moved into
the power generation industry, working his way up from estimator to project manager
and Contract Review Officer. In 1992, he founded the consulting firm of Roberts, Taylor,
and Sensabaugh. For the next 30 years, the firm specialized in resolving complex construction
issues for surety companies, providing litigation support services, and providing
construction management services to a diverse set of clients. Keith and his wife have
lived in Colleyville, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, since 1989.听听
Female Alumna of the Year: Jane Shurley听
In December 1976, Jane Shurley became the third woman to graduate from the NLU School
of Building Construction (now the 51萝莉 School of Construction Management.) Upon graduation,
Jane began her nearly 40-year career as an estimator at Tom Sanders Building Mart
in West Monroe and continued estimating for a large building company in South Texas
in the early 1980s. During this part of her career, Jane gained a wealth of knowledge
about building materials that would serve her throughout the remainder of her time
in the construction industry.听听
She later returned to Monroe and became a full-time estimator at Holyfield Construction,
where she stayed for 32 years, eventually becoming the Business Office Administrator,
overseeing several business aspects of the company.听听
Jane is married to fellow NLU construction graduate Jim Shurley. They have one son
and two grandchildren. Jane鈥檚 community activities including sitting on the Board
of Directors for the Monroe Symphony League and serving as treasurer and elder at
Monroe鈥檚 Covenant Presbyterian Church.听听
Minority Alumnus of the Year: Donovan Stewart听
Donovan Stewart is a 2019 graduate of the 51萝莉 School of Construction Management. Upon
graduation, he began working for a large general contractor in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area, where he is still employed. He worked his way up from Project Engineer to Superintendent.听听
Donovan attributes his success in the construction industry to the 51萝莉 SOCM, where
he was given many opportunities and learned many valuable skills. He has worked with
the IAC since his graduation and looks forward to returning to 51萝莉 each year to help
the program advance. He is also on his company鈥檚 recruiting team and returns to 51萝莉
twice a year to recruit the best students from the SOCM program.听听
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year (Posthumously Awarded): Gary Thornton听听
Gary Thornton (1956-2019) was born in Winnsboro, La. And earned his undergraduate
degree from the NLU School of Building Construction (now the 51萝莉 School of Construction
Management.) In 1996, Gary founded ThornCo, a commercial construction company, where
he built a reputation for excellence in the industry.听听
Gary was a dedicated mentor and industry leader, serving on several boards, including
the 51萝莉 Alumni Association and the 51萝莉 Industrial Consultants Board, helping shape
the future of construction education.听听
Today, ThornCo continues to thrive, operating 29 years strong under the leadership
of Gary鈥檚 wife Cindy Thornton, his son Michael Thornton, and his son-in-law Ben Hernandez.
Gary鈥檚 legacy is reflected not only in the structures he helped build, but in the
values and vision he instilled in those who continue his work.听听
This award was accepted by Gary鈥檚 son Michael Thornton.听听
Constructors of the Year: Robert 鈥淧opie鈥� Billeaud and Stuart Billeaud听
With a career spanning nearly five decades, Robert 鈥淧opie鈥� Billeaud is a cornerstone
of the Louisiana construction industry and a leader in pre-construction and estimating
services. As the Chief Estimator at J.B. Mouton, LLC, Popie has played a pivotal role
in shaping the company鈥檚 reputation for accuracy, efficiency, and quality in both
the public and private sectors.听听
Popie is a 1975 graduate of the NLU School of Building Construction (now the 51萝莉 School
of Construction Management.) Since 1976, Popie has been at the forefront of pre-construction
planning, providing expert guidance on cost estimating, constructability, procurement
strategies, and value engineering.听听
Beyond his technical expertise, Popie is known for his mentorship, leadership, and
dedication to the industry. He has been involved in numerous community and outreach
organizations, most notably as the 2002-2004 President of the Association of General
Contractors and founding member of the Advisors to School of Construction at 51萝莉.听听
Stuart Billeaud is the son of Robert 鈥淧opie鈥� Billeaud and is the current CEO and President
of J.B. Mouton, LLC, representing the fifth generation of J.B. Mouton as the great-great-grandson
of the founder. Stuart earned a B.S. in Construction Management from Auburn University
and an MBA from the University of New Orleans.听听
A dedicated professional with a deep-rooted passion for construction, Stuart Billeaud
has spent his career shaping the built environment with integrity, precision, and
innovation. He is known for his strong work ethic, leadership, and commitment to mentorship.
He is dedicated to making the world a better place to live and do business through
active leadership and community engagement. He serves as the President of the Fatima
School Foundation, Secretary of One Acadiana/Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and Board
Member of the Association of General Contractors.听听
About the 51萝莉 School of Construction Management and the Industry Advisory Council听
The 51萝莉 School of Construction Management, founded in 1966, is the oldest school of
its kind in the state and is committed to being the premier institution of construction
education in Louisiana.听听听
The School has a 100 percent passage rate on licensing examinations, and a 100 percent
placement rate, with most seniors accepting positions before they graduate. The starting
salaries of graduates are the highest in the university鈥檚 undergraduate programs.
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To learn more about the School of Construction Management, please visit /cbss/construction/program/.听听
The School of Construction Management Industry Advisory Council is made up of local
and national construction firm leaders. The role of the Council is to advise the School
of Construction Management Director and faculty members on industry-related matters.
This helps the School make appropriate changes in its curriculum to meet the demands
of the fast-growing construction industry and keep 51萝莉 School of Construction Management
students efficient and competitive.听
