Integrity, Dedication and Quality - These are the pillars that our company was built on, and they’ve been present in every project since the beginning. When R.J. Daigle began his journey, he understood the importance and value of client relationship, and as the company grew, he made sure that these values were instilled in every member that joined the team.
Starting from a single steel-wheel roller purchased at an auction, the last 40 years have seen us grow to a leading highway construction and site development contractor in South Louisiana, offering base work, asphalt installation and everything in between. Though we’ve grown, we continue to adhere to the principles that R.J. put in place, treating our clients with respect and integrity and completing jobs with safety and quality.
Since assuming management in 2004, R.J.’s sons Ronnie and Vance have maintained the high-standards of their father and continue to deliver the service and quality that has brought us to where we are today. With an experienced team and industry-leading equipment, we’re committed to continued growth and will continue to build upon the strong foundation R.J. laid.
Nicholas is the COO for both R.J. Daigle & Sons Contractors and Daigle Industries LLC. Nicholas grew up in the company, working with every aspect of the firm throughout his high school summers and college breaks. He has operated in the field and the office, and was most recently the General Manager of both companies before moving up to his current position as COO. A 2010 graduate of the LSU, Nicholas studied with concentrations in Business Administration and Communication Studies. He graduated from the Leadership Ascension Class of 2016.
Ethan is part of the third generation of R.J. Daigle and Sons/Daigle Industries. After completing 5 years at LSU working in Business Management. Ethan is taking a leadership role in our Concrete company, Daigle Industries immersing himself in our latest, innovative and technologically driven Mobile Mixers. He has been certified by ACI (American Concrete Industry) as a Field Technician and has completed Cemen Tech's "Operation and Maintenance Course" on C60 Volumetric Concrete trucks. In addition, Ethan believes he can honor his grandfather’s legacy by, working hard, treating people fairly, empowering key personnel and producing quality work.
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Colin is part of the third generation of R.J. Daigle and Sons. He is a 2018 cum laude graduate from LSU in Business Management with a concentration in Strategic Leadership, and is currently enrolled in LSU Law School.
A Louisiana resident since 2005, Tony has been a member of the team since 2013, serving as CFO for both R.J. Daigle & Sons and Daigle Industries. Prior to coming to R.J. Daigle & Sons, Tony has worked in a variety of industries, from residential land development to investment banker, from small business owner to bank president. Through his wide range of experience across different industries, Tony’s financial knowledge is an invaluable strength to the companies. Tony is a graduate of the Robert O. Anderson School of Business at the University of New Mexico as well as various post-graduate banking schools. In his free time, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife of 47 years, Drue, their children and their grandchildren.
Tate is a 2004 Magna Cum Laude graduate of LSU with concentrations in Construction Management, Industrial Education, and Occupational Safety. He manages all R.J. Daigle & Sons projects. Before joining the R.J. Daigle & Sons team, Tate worked as a Project Engineer and Estimator for Basic Industries, Inc., a Contract Administrator for Keta Group, LLC, a Project Manager and Engineer for Block Construction, LLC and has worked for Shell Oil, Lion Oil, and Motiva Enterprises. He holds numerous contractor certifications and has been a member of the Town of Addis Council for the past four years.
A graduate of the LSU College of Engineering, Clay McKnight is the Chief Estimator for R.J. Daigle and Sons. Clay began his career with RJD during his college years and has been with the company since his graduation in 2009. Beginning as a field worker, he moved up to a project manager before ultimately transitioning into the role of Chief estimator. Thanks to his construction-centered work at LSU and work experience at all levels of the company, Clay has a broad background that allows him to diligently manage the estimate of all projects that come through RJD. Clay has numerous construction certifications and credentials, including being a Certified Traffic Control technician and supervisor and well as completion of the OSHA Construction Safety and Health Training programs.
After graduating from LSU in 2000, Louis pursued an 18 year career in Heavy Highway Construction with Primoris Services (formerly known as James Construction Group). During his tenure with Primoris, he started as a Field Engineer in Little Rock, AR. and achieved the level of Division Manager in Houston, TX. Over the trajectory of his career, he has had the opportunity to serve in managerial and operational capacities on a wide range of disciplines from site-work and drainage to roadway and bridge construction in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. Those projects provided him the opportunity to work closely with and develop positive working relationships with numerous entities in the private and industrial sectors as well as state DOTs, FHWA and the USACE.
Having recently returned to Louisiana, Louis and Christina, his wife of 14 years, are excited to immerse their children in Louisiana life and the Cajun Culture.
Since the Soileaus have had the privilege of knowing the Daigles for many years, they are delighted and enthusiastic about seizing the opportunity for Louis to work with the Daigle Family Companies in achieving their goals.
Jeremy joined RJ Daigle & Sons in December 2017 as a Site Superintendent with 15 plus years of Civil Earthwork Construction experience. Jeremy previously worked at Deville Construction where he managed day to day GPS operations, building 3D models of jobsites, performing quantity earthwork takeoffs, and preparing pricing for construction site bids.
He is a 2003 graduate of Louisiana State University. Jeremy spent his summers working for his father’s precision land leveling business. He credits everything he knows about the construction business to his father Greg. More significant to Jeremy, is his father taught him the importance of always conducting business in an ethical manner and to never sacrifice quality for quantity.
“I remember at the age of 12, taking over and driving one of my father’s brand new earthmoving machines. I was barely able to see over the steering wheel, but it was at that moment that I fell in love with playing in the dirt and using the latest technologies to achieve the best possible finished product.”
After graduating college, he started his own business specializing in GPS Finish Grading/3D modeling in the civil earthwork market specializing in parking lots, building pads, and sport’s fields. His most memorable high-profile job was under contract with Deville Construction performing the finish grading on LSU’s New Alex Box Stadium playing field achieving grade tolerances of .03 hundredths of a foot.
Jeremy is excited to work for a progressively growing company that shares the same high quality and ethical values that he was brought up believing in. He has been married to the love of his life Andrea for 11 years and together they have two beautiful children Ava and Carter. His weekend activities consist of hunting, fishing, sporting activities, and worshipping with the family on Sunday mornings.
Shortly after graduating from St. Amant High School in 2004, Kayla joined the team as a receptionist after being hired by the company founder. Over the last 17 years, Kayla has worked in every aspect of accounting as it pertains to RJ Daigle & Sons and Daigle Industries. In her current role as Senior Assistant to the CFO, Kayla is in charge of billings and accounts receivable for both companies. Kayla has been married since 2008 and a mother since 2010 after the birth of her son. Considering herself the luckiest person alive, Kayla loves her family and working for such a great company.
Chelsea is a Houston Native, and moved to Louisiana in 2013. She is a mother/step-mother to 5 children that keep her running from sport to sport. Chelsea has been working accounting for 18 years, but jumped into the construction industry after making her move to LA. Chelsea has worked both in the field and corporate setting to understand all angles of project accounting. Chelsea joined us in 2020 stepping into an accounts payable role for both RJ Daigle & Sons and Daigle Industries. In Chelsea’s free time she likes to travel, read, and works her skin care business.
Shanelle graduated from St. Amant High School in 2005. After a few years of working in the construction industry and loving what she did she earned her Associates Degree in Construction Management from BRCC. She is the proud dog mom of her rescue dog Onyx and loves spending time with her nieces and nephews in her spare time.
Matthew brings over 15 years of experience in sales, business development and account management across industrial, commercial and construction sectors. Before joining R.J. Daigle & Sons, he held key roles at Delta 360 Energy, Reladyne Companies and Cajun Ready Mix, where he specialized in market expansion, contract negotiations,and client relations. A graduate of Our Lady of the Lake College with a B.S. in Biology, Matthew’s strategic mindset and industry expertise make him a valuable asset to the team.
Drew joined R.J. Daigle & Sons in 2020, bringing extensive experience in safety management across offshore, industrial and construction environments. He began his career at Shell Offshore, where he spent nearly three years as a Safety Specialist, earning Subject Matter Expert (SME) status in Gulf Safety, Hazardous Materials and Lockout Tagout operations. Drew holds certifications as a Traffic Control Supervisor and OSHA 500. An LSU alumnus and Eagle Scout, he is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards for every project.
Founded in New Orleans in 1977 by R.J. Daigle and currently based in Gonzales, Louisiana with two asphalt plants (Geismar and the city of Central), R.J. Daigle & Sons Contractors, Inc. is a privately-owned company specializing in highway construction and site development. Vance and Ronnie Daigle, assumed ownership and management of the company from their father in 2004. The company currently employs over 150 people and is always looking to add quality personnel to the family.
Corporate focus and expertise include:
R. J. Daigle & Sons combines experienced personnel, customer focus, and current industry leading technology and equipment to deliver superior project performance at a competitive price.
Born from a single steel-wheel roller, R.J. Daigle & Sons has evolved into a contractor with the capability to service the entire South Louisiana region through two full-service asphalt plants. The company has proudly served road construction and site development needs of various private and commercial industries, developers, the Petro-Chemical industry, the State DOTD, parishes and municipalities throughout Southeast Louisiana during the last 40 years. R.J. Daigle & Sons products include hot mix asphalt, soil stabilization, concrete, drainage, and the newly developed cold mix product, Transitfix. Transitfix is an ideal long-term fix for road repairs. The development of Transitfix enables R.J. Daigle & Sons to provide new solutions to utility contractors, real estate management companies, industrial and manufacturing plant maintenance companies, drainage contractors, railroad contractors, and general contractors.
The executives in the R.J. Daigle companies are very philanthropic. They understand the mutual benefits that come from giving back and paying forward into the communities in which they live and work. Community involvement is strongly encouraged, to all employees. The companies of R.J. Daigle believe in leading by example, both in financial contributions and in volunteer hours with various board memberships, community leadership programs, town council election, and fund raising activities.
