Brandt Frye: Hensel Phelps, Project Manager

Brandt Frye, Project Manager at Hensel Phelps, is a leader in North Alabama’s commercial construction sector, with 12 years of experience and $1 billion in projects. His work includes projects at Redstone Arsenal for USACE and in Courtland, Alabama for Lockheed Martin, strengthening the region’s built environment.

An active member of ABC North Alabama, Brandt will serve on the Workforce Development and Future Leaders Programs. Beyond his involvement with ABC, Brandt is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of construction professionals through industry partnerships. He actively volunteers with nonprofit organizations and is passionate about giving back.

Originally from Missouri, Brandt has been in Huntsville for two years. He lives in Hampton Cove with his wife, Jenna, and two sons, Nash and Miller. Brandt enjoys exploring Huntsville, family time, and college sports.

What do you love most about living and working in Huntsville?

I love how clean, safe, and family-friendly Huntsville is. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family and has great school systems. The mountainous views are breathtaking, especially in the early morning or late at night. I love the layout of the downtown core and how everything we are building keeps the city’s charm intact. I appreciate our focus on aerospace, engineering, and defense; it is truly cutting-edge. From a work perspective, I enjoy how welcoming, yet competitive Huntsville is. It’s like the age-old saying, “iron sharpens iron.” We are all here to make one another and the community better.

What’s your best advice for starting a career in the Rocket City?

Get involved. Whether it be a committee, a young leaders’ program, or a nonprofit organization, getting involved is a huge benefit. It’s an exciting time to be in Rocket City. The market is full of talent, growth, and opportunity. Huntsville’s focus on higher education, aerospace, defense, technology, and engineering makes it a wonderful place to build a career. In fact, I’d go as far as saying Huntsville will be a target for young talent for years to come. The mindset and effort of key leaders within our region make us a force to be reckoned with.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Family time is key for me. If I’m not working, I’m with my family. I have two young boys who enjoy our “stay home” days. These days normally consist of bike rides, neighborhood outings, trips to the park, and sports in our front or back yard. When I’m not with my family, I enjoy long early morning runs. Running has been a passion of mine for a long time, and it’s something I truly enjoy.

How do you like to give back to the community, and why is it important to you?

My passion is getting involved with our young leaders and high school students in the community. I am doing this through ABC’s Future Leaders program and the Workforce Development committee. These programs offer a great opportunity for me to engage, mentor, and share key lessons with the youth of the construction industry. Beyond this, I am getting involved in our high schools, helping educate interested students about careers in construction. The first event we are hosting is on April 1, 2025, at the Career Academy of Decatur. Giving back is so important to me because I believe in “paying it forward.” I’ve had help along the way, and for that, I will be forever grateful. My role as a leader is to help pave the way for our future leaders to succeed, to help drive their confidence and enthusiasm about what lies ahead.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career, and what valuable lesson did they teach you?

Derek Hoffine, Hensel Phelps Executive Vice President. I worked for Mr. Hoffine on my first assignment for Hensel Phelps right out of college. Derek taught me to put the employees first, to let my work speak for itself, to trust the process, and to keep pressing forward. All of these lessons I’ve kept close and used throughout my 12-year career with Hensel Phelps and they have all proved to be very beneficial, especially if I hit a bump in the road.

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