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who we are
About Us
our story: The turner family legacy
The Early Years
The Turner Industries story is one of vision, determination, and innovation. Bert Turner was born in 1921 in Elizabeth, Louisiana, and his early life was shaped by the challenges of the Great Depression. At eight, he lost his father to a tragic accident, but Bert was able to persevere and take on odd jobs to support his family.
Bert’s academic achievements and hard work led him to the LSU Engineering School, where he earned a scholarship. His education was interrupted by World War II, during which he served as a commissioned officer in the Pacific campaign. In 1947, Bert married Sue Wilbert Turner, whose support would prove instrumental in the future success of Turner.
The Beginning of Turner Industries
After earning an MBA from Harvard and returning home to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bert’s career path led him to Bob Nichols, president of Nichols Construction Co. Inc. When Nichols passed away unexpectedly, the company was sold to Yuba Consolidated Industries, with Bert as vice president and general manager.
In 1961, the pivotal moment occurred. When Yuba Industries declared bankruptcy, Bert purchased Nichols Construction Company, laying the foundation for Turner Industries. At this time, Bert realized the industrial construction cycle is made up of peaks and valleys and, with a strategic vision in mind, he added industrial contract maintenance to ensure a steady stream of revenue.
Growth and Expansion
As the company grew, so did its team of talented individuals. Roland Toups, a young engineer, joined the company and quickly rose through the ranks to become executive vice president.
Turner Industries’ growth continued, and the company established a presence in New Orleans in 1970, setting the stage for future expansion across the Gulf South during the 1980s and into the 2000s. Throughout these years, the company’s services continued to grow as well, adding soft craft services, pipe fabrication and bending, industrial specialty services, environmental remediation services, as well as additional rigging, hauling, and heavy equipment.
Consolidation and Family Ownership
In 2005, Bert made a decisive move, buying out the company’s minority stockholders and unifying the organization under one name: Turner Industries Group LLC. This decision put ownership squarely in the hands of the Turners and solidified the family concept at the heart of the company.
Today, Turner Industries operates as a single entity with four main operating divisions: construction, maintenance and turnarounds, fabrication, and equipment.
A Legacy Continues
On July 18, 2008, Bert passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. During his tenure, he transformed the company from the brink of bankruptcy to achieving over a billion dollars in annual revenue. In the wake of his passing, Turner’s leadership passed to Roland Toups and the company’s division presidents. Under their guidance, the company continued to thrive, expanding services, innovating, and honoring Bert’s legacy of excellence.
Today, the torch of leadership has been passed to a new generation. Bert’s children and grandchildren, as shareholders and board members, continue to uphold the Turner family’s dedication to the company’s success.
Sue Turner: A Lifelong Commitment to Community and Preservation
Sue Turner, the wife and champion behind Bert Turner, was a dedicated philanthropist passionate about education, historic preservation, and the arts. Her lifelong commitment to these causes is evident in her work to secure LSU’s original buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, support LSU’s engineering and music schools, and help create the Baton Rouge Arts and Science Center (now the Louisiana Art and Science Museum). Additionally, her dedication to the United Way and the National Trust for Historic Preservation has left a lasting impact on Louisiana’s cultural heritage.
On December 27, 2020, Sue peacefully passed away, but her legacy of compassion and commitment to bettering her community continues to inspire future generations.
Looking to the Future
As we look ahead, Turner Industries remains committed to the principles that have guided us for more than 60 years. We honor our past while continuously innovating, ensuring that Bert Turner’s legacy of excellence and family-oriented business practices remains at the heart of everything we do.
From its humble beginnings to its current status as an industry leader with 19,000-plus employees working at job sites across the U.S., Turner Industries continues to provide turnkey solutions to the companies that produce fuel, energy, and the materials essential to modern life. As we build on our rich history, we look forward to creating an even brighter future, guided by the vision of our founder, Bert Turner.
LEADERSHIP
Stephen M. Toups
Chief Executive Officer
David J. Franks
Chief Operating Officer
James P. Sylvester
Chief Financial Officer
Amy Kling
Chief Information Officer
Rick Scardina
Chief Administrative Officer
Troy Bergeron
President, Maintenance & Turnarounds
Mark Brittain
President, Construction
John Richard
President, Pipe Fabrication
Mike Morain
President, Equipment, Rigging, & Specialized Transportation
Recent Awards & Rankings
Corporate Responsibility
Maintaining the trust and confidence of owners, employees, customers and other people with whom we conduct business, as well as the communities we work in, is crucial to our continued growth and success.
