In the first session of the Fall 2025 Tech Talks Business series, Beth Lowry, president and CEO of Holder Construction joined Dean Anuj Mehrotra at the Cisco Innovation Center in Tech Square.
Lowry shared her unconventional journey from her early days as a pre-med student at the University of Florida to leading one of the nation’s top construction firms. Her insights gave Georgia Tech students, industry experts, and early-career professionals a firsthand look into the evolving world of commercial building and leadership.
Constructing a Storied Career
In 1993, Lowry joined Holder Construction in Atlanta as an intern. A palpable energy filled the city as it prepared to host the 1996 Summer Olympics. The momentum behind that growth and progress was exciting and Lowry found herself drawn to what she had once pictured a medical career to be like.
“I was very fortunate to be one of the only interns that Holder Construction hired at that time,” Lowry recalled. “I had dreamed of becoming a cardiologist. But what I found in construction was what I think I wanted in medicine – an ability to be creative and be a problem solver.”
Lowry has spent the full span of her 30-year career at Holder Construction. Holder Construction was founded in 1960. Today, Lowry oversees operations in eight locations, with $10 billion in projects planned for the fiscal year.
Company Culture
Lowry isn’t the only one who’s stayed at Holder Construction for the duration of their career. That loyal longevity is due to a strong company culture.
“Our culture is everything,” Lowry said. “We challenge our people, and they rise to it because they care deeply about doing a great job for their clients and teams.”
Community Engagement
Lowry spoke passionately about community engagement, highlighting Holder’s connection to the new Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital and her personal commitment to workforce development and economic mobility.
“The new children’s hospital is the most incredible in the country,” she said. “It’s a privilege to serve on the board. It’s exciting to see the work that can be accomplished when our business community comes together. Great things happen.”
Key Industry Trends
60-70% of Holder’s current projects are tied to data center construction. Along with this trend, Lowry pointed to prefabrication, energy efficiency, and the growing role of AI and cybersecurity in project management as notable trends.
Lowry also stressed the importance of skilled labor and workforce development, advising students to gain diverse experience. “We live in a consistent paradox,” she said. “There’s a huge building boom, but we lack the skilled labor to support it.”
Question and Answer
During the Q&A session, students and industry experts posed thoughtful questions about technology adoption, mentorship, and navigating legacy industries.
One student with a family background in real estate and construction, asked how Lowry would advise her as she works to break into a legacy-driven industry. “It doesn’t matter if you’re creating a company from scratch or if the company is decades old, you still have to treat each customer like they’re the most important and give them your full attention. Think about the relationships you are building and come to know the ecosystem you’ll be operating in. From there, you have to discover what distinguishes you and work to elevate that.”
A freshman at the Scheller College of Business asked Lowry how Holder balances specialization with diversification. Lowry noted the sustained future looking focus of the 65-year-old company, “We look at our customer base and market trends to make the best decisions today to support their needs over the next 24 months.”
The engaged audience left with a deeper understanding of the construction industry’s evolving landscape and the leadership required to navigate it. Beth Lowry’s insights into innovation, culture, and community impact offered valuable takeaways for aspiring business leaders across disciplines.
Watch the full event:
