BSCI Alum Expands Retail Projects Across Southeast

When Mike Berry ‘85 enrolled in Building Science classes as a freshman at Auburn, he had never before set foot on campus.

A man in a gray plaid suit, light blue shirt, and patterned red tie poses against a plain light gray background.
Mike Berry ’85

Despite his lack of familiarity with the university, the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) soon became the place for him.

“I loved it from day one ,” Berry said. “It ended up being the perfect place for me.”

Following graduation in 1985, Berry worked in Texas and South Carolina before relocating to Tennessee. He founded his general contracting company in Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1992, and in the last three decades, the business has completed over 1,800 freestanding construction projects and renovations. With some healthcare and industrial projects, Berry Construction works primarily in the commercial and retail sector, boasting clients like Walmart, AutoZone, TJ Maxx and Buc-ee’s.

“Retail work is uniquely about budget and time,” Berry said. “There’s always a very fast schedule and value-oriented budget.”

With the quick pace and tight financing, he has become a pro at phasing and sequencing construction to deliver the best results to the client.

“I didn’t go into business to focus on how much volume we could undertake or how big we could be,” Berry said. “We just always want to do a good job for the owner.”

In 2016, Berry Construction entered a joint venture with Karen Hutton of Hutton Development, forming Berry Hutton, after collaborating with the developer on multiple projects. Now, the companies take on work both independently and together.

Exterior view of a Publix Food & Pharmacy store with its green logo on the building under a clear blue sky.
Berry said working on retail projects has helped the company streamline its phasing and sequencing workflows.
Exterior view of a Buc-ees convenience store with large red signage, accessible parking spots, and clear skies overhead.
Recently, Berry Construction has undertaken the construction of Buc-ee’s stores throughout Tennessee.

As a mid-sized regional general contractor, Berry Construction ranges from 80 to 135 employees, depending on its workload and project schedule. With a handful of BSCI alumni on the team — including Executive Vice President of Pre-construction Don Clausen ‘85 — the company functions on its core principle: build trust through transparency.

In the next few months, Berry Construction is taking on more projects with Buc-ee’s — working on locations in Murfreesboro and Memphis, Tenn. and in Ruston, La. — as well as continuing to build conventional stores and distribution centers for Walmart.

A shopping center parking lot with several cars and storefronts, including Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, and other retailers, at dusk.
Berry has spent the last three decades building partnerships with retailers across the Southeast.

Berry credits Auburn and the BSCI program with his current success.

“It gave me all the tools that I didn’t know I needed,” he said. “I’m thankful for the relationships and connections I made there.”

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