Cody Fortier
Founder of RIGID Constructors (“RIGID”)
Based in Opelousas, Louisiana, Cody Fortier is a successful construction company owner. He focuses on providing heavy civil (infrastructure), hydro excavation (potholing, trenching, and sloping), and marine construction services for the public and private sectors As CEO, his primary responsibility is managing the company’s operations and overseeing complex projects in the Gulf South from start to finish
Fortier’s construction companies use a fleet of earth-moving equipment to work on the Gulf Coast region, including owning custom-built heavy machinery to execute projects safely
Specialized Construction Activities Involved in Fortier’s Marine Projects
Fortier’s construction work involves highly specialized activities to meet the needs of specific projects. Fortier has worked on marine construction projects ranging from the design and construction of ports and harbors to offshore platforms, bridges, jetties, and other structures in or near bodies of water.
Various projects have involved dredging, which is the removal of sediment from the seabed to deepen harbors or provide foundations for marine structures. This work is performed by specialized dredging vessels, which ensure that ports and shipping channels remain navigable Dredging also involves building offshore platforms essential for oil, gas, and renewable energy production. Fortier’s crew’s expertise ensures that these platforms resist strong waves, wind, and saltwater corrosion
Cody Fortier’s construction work also encompasses marine piling, which is critical in building piers, bridges, and offshore platforms Marine piling entails driving enormous steel or concrete piles into the seafloor to form stable foundations for the structures above. Constructing breakwaters and seawalls is also part of the marine work Fortier’s company does These are protective structures that serve to minimize wave impact on coastlines and harbors, which reduces erosion and protects infrastructure. Their construction often involves using big concrete blocks or steel, which can endure the force of the ocean
His Work in Heavy Civil Construction
Fortier’s and his company's expertise in heavy civil construction includes erosion control, clear and grub, limestone base, soil stabilization, subsurface and surface drainage, onsite cut and fill, excavation and haul off, import fill, curb and gutter, and pond excavation
Fortier’s Leadership in Construction Management
As the CEO and owner of a construction company, Fortier’s responsibilities include ensuring the successful completion of projects, overseeing the operations, and driving growth year over year while also maintaining profitability
His key roles include defining the company’s vision, mission, and long-term goals and establishing strategies to achieve these goals His high-level decisions steer the company’s direction and partnerships and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Fortier is responsible for overseeing budgeting, financial planning, and cost control This involves monitoring profit margins, cash flow, and project profitability. He is also involved in securing funding, managing client contracts, and negotiating supplier/vendor agreements
Fortier and his team ensure that projects stay within established deadlines and budgets They are responsible for quality control and resolving any project delays that may arise, from material shortages to labor issues
Critical to his success is Fortier’s relationships with clients, engineers, government entities, and others A big part of his success is also attributed to the workforce and crew he has built from in-house employees to subcontractors.
Safety First: Part of Fortier’s Mantra
Safety is of paramount importance to Fortier He and his executive team have established safety policies and training, providing staff with the resources necessary to complete all projects in a safe environment. Fortier fosters a strong company culture with workplace safety and OSHA compliance, which are integral to his robust risk management and mitigation strategies
Appearances in TV Shows Swamp People, Swamp Mysteries, and Serpent Invasion
Cody Fortier has appeared on episodes of a few reality television shows, including Swamp People on the History Channel. The show focuses on various teams of alligator hunters in Louisiana In one episode, Fortier and Troy Landry, a famed alligator hunter, take a helicopter ride to see how close the alligator nests are to the public and are shocked at how many they see.
Fortier also joined Troy Landry on the History Channel’s Swamp Mysteries Landry joins forces with local specialists on a hunt to preserve America from aggressive, frightening, and often unknown mysterious creatures In addition, Fortier appeared on the History Channel’s Swamp People: Serpent Invasion, where hunters dive deep into the underbelly of the Everglades to capture Burmese pythons.
Fortier’s Personal Life
Fortier was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, a city renowned for its food, music, and festivals He is married to Megan and is a self-described “girl dad.” He loves hanging out with his daughter and wife and participating in their activities
Fortier enjoys farming, hunting, and fishing when he isn't working. He also enjoys piloting small-scale aircraft and remote control aircraft
His Charity Work
Fortier has donated to several organizations, including St Jude’s, and regularly gives to his church in Opelousas, where he and his family attend weekly.