The People Pushing Us Forward
At Gator, people will always be our top priority and most valuable asset. Whether you are an employee, vendor or client, you are a part of the Gator family.
Chad Foster
CEO/President
Tom Choppin
Chief Growth Officer
Jeff La Rosa, Architect, AIA l NCARB
Business Development Executive
Austin Shelton
Vice President of Operations
Robert Leiper
Senior Engineer / Designer
Greg Theriot
Senior Project Manager
Keith Ainsworth
Project Manager
TJ Parkerson
Field Technician
Daniel Gill
Field Technician
Erin Fourroux
Controller
Samantha Kline
Office Receptionist
Oscar Reyes
Estimator
Chad Foster
CEO/President
Name a book that has inspired you professionally.
- “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell
What do you consider the greatest achievement?
- The birth of both my girls.
What motivates you and gives you professional inspiration?
- Being allowed to work with some of the best people I know each and every day at Gator Millworks.
Tom Choppin
Chief Growth Officer
What was your major in college?
- I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from UNO
What is something unique about you?
- I’ve been going to Saints home games since 1978. Also, not necessarily unique, but I try to laugh whenever possible!
What is your favorite Gator project?
- The Mercedes Benz Superdome Suite Level 400 Renovations.
Jeff La Rosa, Architect, AIA l NCARB
Business Development Executive
What is your favorite quote?
- “I don’t know why people hire architects and then tell them what to do.” – Frank Ghery
What is your greatest achievement?
- My greatest personal achievement was becoming a Licensed Architect. Working and studying while raising a family will put all of your ambitions and dreams to the ultimate test. It’s not as easy as some would lead you to believe.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
- When I’m not at work I enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors with my girls. Nature is the ultimate therapist for all of us and it really brings us closer each time we go.
Austin Shelton
Vice President of Operations
Do you have a nickname?
- Shady
What do you love about Gator?
- It is a fun and challenging workplace.
What is your favorite Gator project so far?
- Le Meridien in New Orleans
Robert Leiper
Senior Engineer / Designer
Do you have any professional certifications?
- I have a BSBA in Economics and Real Estate and also have my CSLB – C6 Contractor’s License.
What do you like to do in your free time?
- I must admit, I enjoy my work so when I am “off” I am continually observing, critiquing the design I see around me, and dissecting how things are built. I will walk behind the barrier tape to look at something cool, or crawl under something to see how it is made. I am not shy about it. It is in my nature.
What has been your favorite Gator project so far?
- KBIS 2013 – because It was my first opportunity to share west coast design ideas and different fabrication concepts with Gator pushing the boundary of our capabilities to know we can be a leader in bringing this type of modern high-end product to our region.
- Smith Residence – because we handled the complete design package and did some nice steel detailing.
Greg Theriot
Senior Project Manager
What brought you to work at Gator?
- I started at Gator right out of college and have been hooked on the millwork industry ever since.
What is your favorite Gator project so far?
- Le Meridien is the one I am most proud of due to my involvement in the project and the challenges it presented.
What do you like to do when you aren’t at work?
- I like to relax, hang out with friends/family, cook for friends/family, and go fishing and hunting when I can.
Keith Ainsworth
Project Manager
TJ Parkerson
Field Technician
Daniel Gill
Field Technician
Erin Fourroux
Controller
What do you like to do when you are not at work?
- Cook, read, spend time with family & friends, love on Bruiser my Chihuahua, and binge watch Christmas in July on the Hallmark Channel.
Why do you work for Gator?
- It’s a great company to work for with opportunities to learn and advance.
Favorite Quote –
- “Use your head. It’s the little things that count.” My Mom
Samantha Kline
Office Receptionist
Why do you work for Gator?
- It is a great company to work for, and everyone is friendly.
What do you like to do in your free time?
- Spend time with my family and friends.
What is your favorite Gator project so far?
- The Emonet Residence
