Tierra Maesch & Garrett Pennington Win Emerging Leader Award
Each year, Floor Focus Magazine recognizes the best of up-and-coming talent through its Emerging Leaders Awards. Jack Laurie Group is proud to announce two of our team members were recognized for their exemplary service to the industry. JLG’s Tierra Maesch and Garrett Pennington are among the seven recipients given Emerging Leader honors for 2023. Jack Laurie Group is the only company to have two Emerging Leaders this year.
Tierra and Garrett are leaders that showcase confidence and quality throughout each of their projects. They drive innovation, expert training for the team and possess a unique communication styles that fit our values.
To be considered for the award, nominees must be under 40 years old and be employed in the floorcovering industry. Read Tierra and Garrett’s biographies below or see the other Emerging Leader winners below.
Tierra Maesch
In an industry traditionally led by men, Tierra Maesch is breaking the mold. Not only has Tierra built an amazing career for herself, she helps mentor other women in the trades by serving as the President of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). Her career has truly been a roadmap for future generations of women looking to enter the industry. For her tireless efforts to mentor others and grow the industry, her determination and passion for the trades, the Jack Laurie Group is proud Tierra Maesch has been recognized as a 2023 Floor Focus Emerging Leader.
Tierra built her success brick by brick. She graduated from Indiana University – Purdue University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Engineering Management Technology (CEMT). During her junior year, she had her first experience in the flooring industry as an estimator. It didn’t take long in that role for her to realize she had a passion for flooring. After graduating, she took a project management position in the flooring industry. She continued to build her knowledge and skills through these work experiences.
Even at a young age, Tierra was savvy. She knew connections were key to a strong career, so she began networking through the Indiana Subcontractors Association, Starnet and NAWIC, establishing herself in the flooring industry. In May 2016, she joined the Jack Laurie Group. Since then, she has continued to grow and develop into a strong leader within the company.
After twelve years in the floor covering industry, she constantly raises the bar. Tierra happily takes on new responsibilities within her Account Manager role, while also training new hires. Besides her daily responsibilities, she’s taken on the role of mentor and helps onboard new hires, training them in project management and our CRM technology. She is truly a driver of our new technology initiatives.
Tierra is a champion for women in the construction industry and works to make their path easier. She is a proud member of the National Association of Women in Construction, where she’s served as a leader on various committees, and for the past four years, served on the board. She has been a Director, Corresponding Secretary, Vice President, and was elected as President of the Indianapolis Chapter in 2022.
She regularly earn industry awards, including the NAWIC New Leader Award in 2020 and the Jack Laurie Group Rock-Solid Award in 2018. Recently she joined the Amazing Women of Starnet. We are incredibly proud of her involvement in these organizations and the role she’s played in developing future industry leaders.
Community service is important for our company and for Tierra. She supports Servants at Work (SAWs Inc.), where she gathered a team to build ADA ramps for permanently disabled people and gives back in any way she can through Habitat for Humanity and the American Legion Auxiliary which she has been a member of since 1998.
In her free time, Tierra plays drums in a rock band through a music program based out of Castleton called Rock Garage. She also enjoys being outdoors and recently participated in a 5k mud run called Muddy Princess which supports breast cancer awareness.
Tierra is a shining example of what an emerging leader should be. Our company is proud to have a strong, driven individual that strives to better herself and others through continuous personal and professional growth and development. Congratulations to Tierra Maesch for earning the 2023 Floor Focus Emerging Leaders Award.
Garrett Pennington
In an industry known for high turnover and inconsistency, Garrett Pennington is an anomaly. Garrett is a team member that all construction companies dream of: he’s loyal, dependable, talented and most importantly reliable. The Jack Laurie Group is proud to nominate Garrett Pennington for the 2023 Floor Focus Emerging Leaders Award.
In his 12 years with Jack Laurie Group, Garrett has shown extraordinary growth and displayed strong leadership qualities. The 18-year-old kid that started as an installer shortly after graduating from high school, is now a business leader helping mold the next generation of skilled trades workers for the Jack Laurie Group.
Garrett began his career in floorcovering as an installer, learning the craft and best practices. After honing his skills, he quickly advanced on a leadership track with the company, working as a foreman, in business development, as a field supervisor and today serving as Director of Operations.
In business development, Garrett excelled in sales and held the record for the signing the most target customer agreements on his team. The confidence and ease in which he is able to network and build connections is unparalleled.
Garrett also led the Jack Laurie Installation crew as a Field Supervisor. He managed the team’s scheduling, performed weekly payroll evaluations, onsite inspections of the jobs, calculated financial results for the job cost reports, and attended weekly safety meetings. In addition he kept the customer, Project Manager and Business Development Manager up-to-date on the project.
Due to his hard work and proven results, Garrett was promoted to Director of Operations in January. He now manages the Field Superintendents, and is responsible for field execution, employees and customer service. Garrett upholds our core values of Integrity, Accountability, Candor and Teamwork everyday and goes to great lengths to to get the job done right.
The Jack Laurie Group executive team is proud of Garrett’s work, dedication and professional growth. Since beginning his career with the company, Garrett has received numerous leadership awards and most recently won the Jack Laurie Group Innovation Award for pioneering job site processes that have made the company more efficient and profitable.
Garrett is never satisfied with the status quo and regularly looks for ways to grow. Early on in his career he received extra management training through the Flooring Contractors Association (FCICA) and consistently earns new installation and leadership certifications. Garrett even earned his real estate license, and at the time was the youngest licensee in Indiana.
On a personal level, Garrett actively participates in the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. Outside work, he plays in the church band and also volunteers for a multitude of organizations and businesses. Most importantly, Garrett is a family man. He enjoys spending time with his 6-year-old son Henry and his family. He’s an active participant in CrossFit and enjoys day trips on his Harley.
For his tenacity, dedication and tireless efforts to better the floor-covering industry, the Jack Laurie Group is proud Garrett Pennington was named a 2023 Floor Focus Emerging Leader.
