Check Availability

Speaker & CEO

R. J. Folse

R.J. Folse brings a rare blend of grit, insight, and innovation to the stage—shaped by decades of hands-on experience across construction, finance, marketing, and leadership. Raised in South Louisiana during the oil boom years, R.J. witnessed firsthand the rise and fall of heavy industry and the critical role marketing plays in business resilience. His early career spanned oil field firms, carpentry, and labor work, giving him a ground-level view of how industries crumble without strategic communication.

With over 25 years in construction marketing and financial advisory, R.J. has helped hundreds of companies—from small specialty contractors to national general contractors—build brands that endure. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, he founded Brand Constructors, a firm dedicated to reconnecting displaced workers and rebuilding communities through smart, targeted messaging.

Check Availability

Travels from: New Orleans

Speech Topics

Explore the unique challenges and evolving opportunities in contractor marketing. RJ shares why traditional marketing isn’t enough and how contractors can gain a competitive edge through strategic branding and digital innovation.

RJ dives deep into how marketing strategies must shift depending on the type of work being pursued—low-bid, negotiated, or CMAR. Sessions help contractors align marketing with the type of client relationships they’re trying to build.

RJ introduces his BUILT process and explain how strong brand identity, consistent messaging, and employee ambassadors create a lasting impression in a competitive market.

RJ will unpack the must-have digital strategies tailored to the construction industry—SEO, email marketing, AI-enhanced tools, and personalized campaigns—to attract, engage, and convert leads.

RJ shows how strategic partnerships, thought leadership, and client retention programs are marketing goldmines. Discuss relationship marketing as a long-term growth strategy.

Reframe print, SOQs, events, and outdoor signage as part of an integrated strategy—not outdated tools. RJ provides examples of how they can still drive value when done right.

RJ walks through his book’s signature blueprint for building and sustaining a results-driven marketing system. Focusing on internal vs. external marketing, KPIs, and continuous improvement.

Biography

R. J. Folse

Author • Speaker • Construction Marketing Strategist

R.J. Folse brings a rare blend of grit, insight, and innovation to the stage—shaped by decades of hands-on experience across construction, finance, marketing, and leadership. Raised in South Louisiana during the oil boom years, R.J. witnessed firsthand the rise and fall of heavy industry and the critical role marketing plays in business resilience. His early career spanned oil field firms, carpentry, and labor work, giving him a ground-level view of how industries crumble without strategic communication.
 
With over 25 years in construction marketing and financial advisory, R.J. has helped hundreds of companies—from small specialty contractors to national general contractors—build brands that endure. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, he founded Brand Constructors, a firm dedicated to reconnecting displaced workers and rebuilding communities through smart, targeted messaging.
 
R.J. is the author of Smart Marketing for Construction Business, a practical guide for contractors seeking to grow in competitive markets. His earlier work, The Construction Executive’s Guide to Brand Marketing, laid the foundation for a new era of industry-focused marketing strategy.
 
A black belt in American Kenpo and a 15-year martial arts practitioner, R.J. has trained executives in body mechanics, fluid motion, and self-defense. His leadership journey includes a decade as a Boy Scout Professional, where he recruited and trained volunteers, raised funds, and completed advanced leadership development programs.
 
R.J. also worked in nuclear engineering staffing, internal marketing focused on cultural immersion, and developed integrated digital communication systems for diverse industries. His adventurous spirit has taken him across the globe—hiking the Speyside Way, Cotswold Way, Via Spluga, Eagle Rock Loop, and the Appalachian Trail, among others.
 
Whether he’s speaking on stage, consulting with executives, or cooking Creole meals with his family, R.J. brings authenticity, energy, and a deep understanding of what drives people and businesses forward.

Rob is incredible speaker who brings energy to every topic.

Skip Weber

Check Availability

Name