Press Release

Leadership Spotlight: Growing Landry/French in the Southeast

Interview with Scott Hutchison, Regional Executive Vice President, Southeast

Share a little bit about yourself and your background.

I’ve spent the last 30 years in the construction industry, a field that runs in my family and ultimately inspired me to pursue this career. Along the way, construction has given me the opportunity to work across the country and gain experience on a wide range of project types, including healthcare, retail, restaurants, adaptive reuse, and office buildouts.

I started my career in the field as a superintendent, traveling throughout the U.S. and learning the business from the ground up. After about seven years in the field, I realized it was important to broaden my experience on the operations and business side of construction. I spent the next 12 years gaining that perspective, working closely with project teams and leadership to better understand how projects are planned, managed, and delivered.
As my career progressed, I moved into leadership roles focused on building strong teams, mentoring the next generation of construction professionals, and partnering with clients as they plan and develop their projects. Construction is ultimately a relationship-driven business, and I’ve always enjoyed working closely with owners and partners to help bring their vision to life.

On a personal note, family is incredibly important to me. My wife and I have been married for 22 years, and we have two great kids. My son is a junior at the University of Florida studying construction management, and my daughter is a high school senior who plans to pursue interior design. It’s exciting to see them begin exploring their own paths in fields connected to the built environment.

As someone born and raised in St. Petersburg, how does that shape the way you lead in this region?

When you’re working in your hometown, there’s a strong sense of responsibility. Many of the relationships we build here are long-standing, and trust matters. I believe leadership in this market starts with being present in the community, building authentic relationships, and delivering on commitments.

It also gives me a long-term perspective. The projects we work on aren’t just buildings — they become part of the fabric of the community. Knowing that my family, friends, and neighbors will experience these spaces reinforces the importance of doing things the right way and creating projects that positively contribute to the growth of St. Petersburg and the greater Tampa Bay region.

What makes the Southeast market unique?

The Southeast is one of the most dynamic growth regions in the country right now. Markets across Florida and the broader Southeast continue to see strong population growth, with thousands of people relocating to Florida each week and hundreds moving into the Tampa Bay area every day. That kind of growth creates significant demand for housing, healthcare, infrastructure, retail, and commercial development.

What makes the region unique is the pace of opportunity. Businesses are expanding here, people are choosing to live here, and communities are investing heavily in their future. That creates exciting opportunities, but it also means clients need partners who can move quickly, solve problems, and deliver projects with a high level of reliability.

In a market growing this fast, exceptional client service becomes even more important. Owners want a construction partner who communicates clearly, understands their goals, and can help guide projects from concept through completion. Combining strong execution with a truly client-focused approach is what ultimately builds long-term relationships and successful projects in this region.

When you think about building a presence here, what’s most important in the early stages?

Building a strong presence starts with people and relationships. Having the right team in place and building trust with clients and partners in the community is critical.

In the early stages, every project and interaction matters. It’s important to demonstrate reliability, maintain strong communication, and show a clear commitment to exceptional client service. When you focus on delivering results and developing long-term relationships, growth in the market naturally follows.

What do clients in the Southeast value most in a construction partner?

Clients want a partner they can trust to deliver. That means clear communication, transparency throughout the entire process, and a team that understands their goals while working proactively to keep projects on schedule and within budget.

At the end of the day, clients value reliability and a construction partner who is genuinely invested in the success of their project.

What excites you most about being part of the Landry/French team?

What excites me most about Landry/French is the culture and the people. It’s a team that truly values relationships, collaboration, and delivering exceptional results for clients.

I’m also excited about the opportunity to expand our presence in the Southeast and build something meaningful in this market, while bringing the same level of service and quality that the company is known for.