2026 Business Leaders of the Year: Sean Thouvenot

With 30 years under his belt at Branco Enterprises Inc. – half of which he’s served as a co-owner of the construction company – Sean Thouvenot says his career benefitted from leaders helping shape him into the person he is today. Through his desire to mentor others at the firm, he looks to likewise fuel professional and personal growth in his coworkers.

In his role as vice president, Thouvenot says he provides those he mentors with the tools, opportunities and guidance they need to succeed, while supporting them along the way.

“Some grow faster than others, but I have never felt my investment in any of them was wasted,” he says. “Even those who have gone on to other companies make our industry better because I helped them become stronger in their craft or role.”

Beyond mentorship, Thouvenot says he’s proud to be a driving force behind the 93-year-old organization becoming a 100% employee-owned company this year.

“I firmly believe the employees deserve the keys to the company,” he says of Branco’s employee stock ownership plan.

Thouvenot is an advocate of servant leadership, never asking anyone to do something he has not or would not do himself. That means his team will see him around the office washing dishes, sweeping the floors, working on equipment and taking out the trash.

“When leaders are willing to do work at or below what others may view as their level, conversations with employees become more genuine and meaningful,” he says.

When mistakes happen on the job, Thouvenot says they are treated as learning opportunities for everyone. Doing so reduces stress and helps prevent others from repeating them, he says.

With Thouvenot’s help, he says Branco has a family-centered culture that when combined with years of hard work and a team of devoted workers has been crucial to the company’s growth. Noting when he started at the company three decades ago, revenue was around $25 million, Thouvenot says Branco’s recent backlog was $100 million.

Thouvenot’s community service has extended across many organizations over the years. He previously served as board chair for Associated General Contractors of Missouri and currently leads its government affairs and political action committee, spending time in Jefferson City advocating for his industry. In addition, he serves as vice president of the Springfield Contractors Association. He’s also a board member for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and co-chairs its growth and development committee.

Through Branco, Thouvenot also organizes employee volunteer efforts for organizations such as Ozarks Food Harvest Inc., as well as hosts teacher externships and provides jobsite tours for students to show them what a day in construction looks like.