For BRPH Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lyons, construction has never been just about buildings. It’s about bringing people, ideas and disciplines together to solve problems and deliver projects that make a lasting impact.
Since entering the industry more than two decades ago, Lyons has built a career leading projects ranging from residential and multi-family housing to historic renovations, higher education campuses and complex aerospace and advanced manufacturing facilities.
Her portfolio includes work at the University of Florida in Gainesville, along with large-scale industrial projects where collaboration is just as critical as technical expertise.
Looking back on her career, Lyons discusses the mentors, partnerships and experiences that shaped her approach to leadership and why investing in the next generation is every bit as important as delivering successful projects.
Raised in a family of engineers, Lyons initially thought she would pursue architecture. After exploring interiors, she ultimately found her passion in construction. “I realized I could marry the design passion I have with constructability.”
That intersection has defined her leadership style. Lyons describes it simply: “Trust but verify.” She often repeats a phrase shared by a superintendent early in her career—you get what you inspect, not what you expect.
For Lyons, accountability and communication are the backbone of every successful partnership. “Whatever the problem is, communication is always the answer. Using your connections, asking for help, asking a question, finding a mentor—communication can solve almost anything.”
Those principles were tested on one of the largest projects of her career: serving as senior project manager on a satellite processing facility supporting Amazon’s Project Kuiper initiative. The more than $150 million facility prepares satellites to be integrated into launch vehicles, a technically demanding environment requiring close coordination among multiple stakeholders and launch providers.
High-security, high-stakes projects like that underscore what Lyons believes is the art of building partnerships. She says it is amazing how much a leader can impact you, crediting mentors who pushed her to pursue certifications, licensing and career development opportunities. One encouraged curiosity and preparation not for the current role, but the next one.
That philosophy now shapes how she leads her own teams. “When a team member doesn’t know something yet, it’s our role and responsibility to teach,” Lyons says. “Mistakes will be made. But we’ll get past them together.”
Mentorship, particularly for women entering construction, is a priority for Lyons. When she was studying building construction in the early 2000s, women made up about 10% of her program, six out of 60 students. Today, she sees more women entering the field every day and thriving. “Women usually champion other women in their roles—and I try to make sure I’m doing the same.”
Lyons notes that her own experience in a male-dominated industry has largely been positive, built on mutual respect. Watching her mother navigate a career in a power plant environment reinforced the importance of earning respect, by giving it first.
As the industry continues to evolve, Lyons hopes the future of construction embraces both greater inclusion and a return to craftsmanship. She often references the concept of the “Master Builder”—professionals who took pride in every detail and built with longevity in mind.
“Everything is always such a rush these days. I want us to care about buildings the way builders did in past eras, and to be proud of the craftsmanship we put into our builds.”
Her advice to women considering construction is direct: “Be bold. Break the rules. Know your stuff.”
For Lyons, success is not defined solely by project size or budget, though she has led some of the most complex builds of her career in recent years. It is defined by the strength of the partnerships behind them: teams aligned by trust, strengthened by mentorship and driven by a shared commitment to building something meaningful that lasts.
