The Women in Business Awards program recognizes Triangle women who demonstrate outstanding leadership and a strong record of accomplishment in business and community impact. The Inspiration category honors individuals whose careers and leadership have made a meaningful and lasting impact on those around them. This year’s honorees were selected from more than 100 nominees.

Barbara Angell’s career reflects a remarkable legacy of dedication, growth, and leadership within the construction industry. She began her career with Sanford Contractors more than 40 years ago and steadily advanced through the organization, earning respect through her work ethic, integrity, and financial expertise.

As President Donnie Oldham has shared, Barbara is “a living testament that if you’re smart and work extremely hard, you can accomplish great things.”

During her tenure, Sanford Contractors has grown from a team of 35 employees to more than 270, with annual volume increasing significantly over that time. Throughout this growth, Barbara has played a critical role in supporting the company’s financial strength and guiding long-term planning. She has served as Chief Financial Officer for more than 15 years.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Barbara’s impact is reflected in the example she sets. Her consistency, humility, and commitment to doing what is right have influenced generations of team members and leaders across the company. Her career stands as a meaningful example of what is possible through dedication and perseverance, particularly for women building long-term careers in the construction industry.

Barbara accepted the award on March 26 at a reception hosted at the Angus Barn in Raleigh, surrounded by members of the Sanford Contractors leadership team and her family.

Read her Triangle Business Journal profile here (subscription required): https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/c/tbj-2026-women-in-business-awards-winners/42731/barbara-angell.html

We are proud to celebrate Barbara’s well-earned recognition and grateful for her leadership and the example she sets each day.

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Our team is delivering two private hangars and preparing to begin concurrent construction of the new TTA Corporate Hangar. Work within active airfield environments requires careful phasing, close coordination with airport operations, and disciplined execution to maintain safety while minimizing disruption to daily activity.

While these projects focus on vertical construction, they reflect a broader aviation capability that integrates both building and infrastructure expertise.

Sanford Contractors supports aviation clients through multiple divisions. Our Commercial Building Division delivers hangars, terminal facilities, and supporting aviation structures through hard bid, design-build assist, and full design-build delivery methods. Preconstruction services play an important role in this work, allowing our team to provide early cost analysis, constructability reviews, and detailed scheduling that help airport owners make informed decisions and maintain project budgets.

At the same time, our Site Development Division has completed complex infrastructure improvements that support airport expansion and modernization. By self-performing key site and utility scopes, Sanford Contractors maintains greater control over coordination, schedule, and quality. That integrated approach allows our teams to deliver aviation projects efficiently while maintaining the operational awareness required within active airport environments.

Across the state, Sanford Contractors has built a reputation as a dependable partner to public agencies. Our leadership remains engaged, communication is direct, and our teams understand the importance of maintaining safe, uninterrupted operations while construction is underway.

Aviation projects require more than construction expertise. They require careful coordination, regulatory awareness, and a disciplined approach to planning and execution.

Sanford Contractors is proud to contribute to the infrastructure that supports North Carolina’s aviation network and the communities these airports serve.

Pictured above are some of Sanford Contractors’ previous projects at Raleigh Executive Jetport, including the first REJ Corporate Hangar and the REJ Terminal building – the first design-build project undertaken by the NC Department of Aviation.

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Different partners take turns leading the safety discussion, reinforcing a core principle on every job: safety is a shared responsibility. Recently, Sanford Contractors led the project-wide conversation, focusing on cold weather construction and the additional risks that come with fluctuating winter temperatures.

Thalle Construction Company is serving as the project’s general contractor, with Sanford Contractors’ Building Division constructing key structural components. With multiple trades working simultaneously, consistent communication is one of the most effective safety tools on site. The morning huddle allows teams to address real-time conditions, reinforce expectations, and start the day aligned.

During the discussion, our team emphasized practical precautions including proper layering, monitoring walking and working surfaces for ice and moisture, and recognizing early signs of cold stress. Reduced dexterity, fatigue, and slippery conditions can slow reaction time and impact performance. While winter conditions are not new to the industry, reminders and proactive planning help ensure small oversights do not turn into larger issues.

The Sanford Water Filtration Facility expansion will increase capacity from 12 million gallons per day to 30 million gallons per day, strengthening long-term water infrastructure for the region. Projects of this scale demand technical coordination, as well as trust, accountability, and open communication across every company on site. Rotating leadership of daily safety talks keeps engagement high and reinforces consistent standards across all trades.

At Sanford Contractors, we believe safety is strengthened through partnership. When every team member takes ownership of the day’s conditions, safe operations become the standard rather than the exception.

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Throughout the day, team members stepped away from their day-to-day responsibilities to connect in person and reflect on the principles that guide our work. Planning and preparation, clear communication, accountability, and living out our values remain foundational to delivering safe, consistent, high-quality work and Building with Trust.

Teams participated in interactive table discussions centered on getting back to basics. Live polling encouraged honest conversation around our non-negotiables, what doing work the right way truly means at Sanford Contractors, and why partners continue to choose us. Across divisions, shared priorities emerged, including safety, integrity, accountability, quality, professionalism, and pride in workmanship. The discussions also reinforced the importance of maintaining focus in areas where consistent execution makes the greatest impact, including clear communication, planning and follow-through, and jobsite organization.

Building on the table discussions, division-wide breakout sessions gave teams the opportunity to translate shared values into action. Each division focused on what “back to basics” looks like in their specific work and identified practical steps to strengthen execution moving forward. Teams left with clear direction to carry these fundamentals back to their jobsites and daily responsibilities. After reconvening from the breakout sessions, company leadership offered reflections on 2025 and shared their goals for 2026.

The Summit also provided time to recognize and celebrate our people. Team members celebrating years of service milestones, ranging from one year to more than 40 years, were honored for their dedication and commitment. Safety remained a central focus, highlighted by the introduction of Sanford Contractors’ new safety training video.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day was the presentation of the Brent Sloan Safety Award to Ricky Womack. This award recognizes an individual who consistently demonstrates leadership, accountability, and a strong commitment to safety. Congratulations are also extended to Brent Sloan Safety Award finalists Jason Manning, David Marlowe, Felipe Vitela, and Guillermo Solorzano for modeling exceptional safety commitment each day.

Leadership Summit 2026 concluded with the Second Annual SCI Equipment Rodeo, where teams from across the company came together in friendly competition. The Rodeo highlighted skill, preparation, teamwork, and pride in our work. Congratulations to the winning team, The Groundbreakers from the Site Division: Richard Hendricks, Ryan Garner, and DJ Bryant.

As we move through 2026, Sanford Contractors team members will continue to focus on the fundamentals that matter most, strengthening our culture, our work, and the relationships that drive our success.

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At Sanford Contractors, we believe there’s no better way to start the year than with a renewed focus on safety.

Each December and January, we pause active work across our operations to hold our annual Safety Stand Downs. This intentional reset closes one year and opens the next with a shared focus on what matters most: keeping our people safe.

A Safety Stand Down is more than a meeting. It’s a companywide commitment to slow down, come together, and reinforce the standards that guide how we work every day. During these sessions, our teams review best practices, discuss real jobsite hazards, share lessons learned, and align on expectations for the year ahead. These conversations strengthen planning, sharpen awareness, and reinforce personal accountability at every level of our organization.

While the Stand Downs help set the tone, they don’t stand alone. They build on the daily safety conversations happening across our jobsites through tailgate meetings, pre-task planning, field leadership discussions, ongoing hazard mitigation efforts and more. Safety at Sanford Contractors is continuous, not seasonal.

Protecting our people is a responsibility we all share, and it’s a standard that shapes our culture, our planning, and our performance throughout the year.

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Our team recently attended the ribbon cutting for the I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop, marking the completion of a decades-long infrastructure effort first envisioned in the late 1980s. Sanford Contractors was proud to serve as a trusted partner on this landmark project, delivering multiple bridges along the corridor, including the final bridge package, which spanned five job sites and included six bridge structures, two of the widest bridge decks in company history.

We also celebrated the ribbon cutting for the New Hope Creek Restoration project at Duke Forest, where Sanford Contractors constructed the new clear-span bridge over New Hope Creek. The project is part of a long-term, collaborative restoration effort and allows the creek to flow freely through the Duke Forest for the first time in more than a century, benefiting both the surrounding ecosystem and community.

While these projects reach completion, new work is getting underway. Our Commercial Building Division recently broke ground on the new Visitor Center at the House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site, a project that will enhance the visitor experience through modern exhibits, improved accessibility, and expanded facilities. With more projects breaking ground in January, these moments reflect the range of work we’re proud to deliver and the partnerships that make it possible.

Stay connected with Sanford Contractors by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter for project milestones and updates. 

Feature Photo: Groundbreaking at the House in the Horseshoe
Photo 2: Aerial view of the completed New Hope Creek Bridge at Duke Forest
Photo 3: Ribbon Cutting for the I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop

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The values that guide our work today are the same ones that have shaped our company for decades. They show up on our job sites, in our offices, and in every conversation we have with our partners and each other. They’re the reason our relationships last and our work stands the test of time.

As we begin the new year, we’re proud to reaffirm what it means to work with and be part of the Sanford Contractors team.

Guided by the Golden Rule

We believe respect and integrity are the foundation of great construction partnerships. We treat others the way we would want to be treated, putting the needs of our clients, partners, and team members first. We actively support the growth and development of our people so they can perform at their highest level.

Accountable

Accountability matters on every project. We set clear expectations, take responsibility for our actions, and communicate openly when challenges arise. Our clients trust us because we stand behind our commitments and follow through on our promises.

Relationship Focused

Construction is a people business. We listen carefully, communicate respectfully, and work through conflict in a fair and timely way. We value the unique strengths and talents of our team members and encourage continued growth, knowing that strong relationships lead to stronger projects.

Prepared

Preparation is the cornerstone of safe, efficient, and successful work. Before we ever step onto a job site, we take the time to plan, organize, and think through potential challenges. This proactive approach helps protect our teams, keep projects moving, and deliver long-term value to our clients.

Driven

We don’t wait around for progress to happen. We stay focused, motivated, and committed to continuous improvement. Our teams look for better ways to work, think creatively, and solve problems with both logic and experience. Every project is an opportunity to get better.

As we move into the new year, these values will continue to guide every project we deliver. New year, same values, and the same commitment to building quality work and lasting relationships.

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As the season unfolded, our annual Christmas luncheons brought team members together to share a meal and mark the close of another year of steady, purposeful work. These gatherings remind us how much our culture of teamwork shapes the way we show up on every job and in every relationship.

Our holiday outreach continued in that same spirit. In November, team members volunteered with the Christian United Outreach Center of Lee County (CUOC), a long-standing relationship rooted in service and care for our neighbors. Through our company donation matching program, CUOC and Samaritan’s Purse received additional support, helping extend the generosity of our team members. Throughout December, SCI team members rang the bells for the Salvation Army of Lee County to help raise funds for families in need.

We were also grateful for the chance to support communities beyond our own. This year’s collection drive for Hurricane Melissa relief gathered supplies for families in Jamaica recovering from the historic storm. The response from our team was great and sincere, reflecting a shared willingness to step in when others need a hand.

Christmas at SCI is a reminder of the relationships and values that guide our work. The care our team shows for one another and for our communities is the same steady approach we bring to our partners. We listen well, do what we say we will do, and earn trust through consistent, dependable effort.

From all of us at Sanford Contractors, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful start to the New Year. We are grateful for every connection made this year and look forward to the opportunities ahead.

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Barbara’s start at Sanford Contractors came through an unexpected opportunity. Then called Sanford Grading, the company reached out to Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) seeking candidates for an office position, and her advisor encouraged her to apply. She joined the company as a young professional with limited experience, stepping into a team of roughly thirty-five people. She was given the chance to grow along with the role, and that trust set the foundation for the long and meaningful career she has built here.

Over the decades that followed, Barbara became a constant presence through the company’s growth, challenges, and defining moments. Today, Sanford Contractors has more than 270 team members and an annual volume nearly 3,000 percent higher than when she first started. Through each phase of growth, Barbara has played a central role in supporting the company’s financial stability and long-term planning as she advanced through the ranks, becoming Chief Financial Officer over fifteen years ago.  

When asked what has kept her here throughout her career, Barbara points to the people. “The people I work with and work for are a huge reason I’ve been here for so long. I credit Donnie’s support and leadership as a major influence on my career.”

She also finds great satisfaction in watching the company grow and evolve. “I like being part of something bigger and knowing I played a small part in the company’s success.” She continues to take pride in seeing the projects Sanford Contractors builds across the state.

Many moments stand out as defining points in her career, including the acquisition of Sanford Construction Company (SCC), which became the foundation of the Bridge Division. It was the company’s first acquisition and a major learning experience. Barbara also recalls the challenges the company navigated during multiple economic recessions and in 2020. “It was very important that we kept our people on and in their roles during those times. That has always mattered.” Her steady leadership helped anchor the company through each transition, and successfully navigating downturns without impacting team members remains one of the highlights of her career.

While the company has grown, Barbara notes that Sanford Contractors has always stayed true to its core values. Yet she has also seen the culture deepen in meaningful ways.

“Over the last 10 to 15 years especially, Sanford Contractors has been able to become even more community-oriented. I take a lot of pride in being part of a company that is a great employer, a community partner, and that truly cares about helping others in need.”

She points to initiatives such as the CCCC endowment partnership, the Mark Oldham Scholarship through Chatham County Schools, annual Back-to-School Supplies Night, partnerships with organizations like CUOC and Samaritan’s Purse, the company’s charitable donation fund, disaster relief efforts, and the donation matching program as examples of that commitment.

What she values most, however, is the genuine care leadership has for the long-term well-being of team members. “Donnie and Richard want our people to be able to retire financially healthy. They really care about people once they leave here, and they want to make sure they’re taken care of.”

For those just starting their careers at Sanford Contractors, she offers thoughtful advice shaped by four decades of experience: “If you want to be part of a company that treats you like family, remember that families don’t always get along, but at the end of the day they support each other. Everyone goes through seasons where they question whether they’re doing what they’re meant to be doing. Don’t make rash decisions. Talk it out and give it time.”

She believes that building a successful long-term career here comes down to a few essentials: treating others with respect, respecting yourself, and enjoying the work you do.

Barbara’s story is one of growth, loyalty, resilience, and service. Her leadership has strengthened Sanford Contractors through four decades of change, and her impact is woven into the company’s history. It continues to guide the organization today and will remain part of its foundation for years to come. We are grateful for all she has given to Sanford Contractors and for the example she continues to set each day.

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In 2023, Sanford Contractors earned a Carolinas AGC Pinnacle Partner Award for work on an earlier section of the corridor, continuing our role as a trusted partner in delivering this important infrastructure for the region.

Project: I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop – Final Bridge Package

Service Period: November 2022 – May 2025

Division: Bridge Construction  

Client: NCDOT/Branch Civil

Scope: The final section of the I-295 Outer Loop represents one of the Bridge Division’s most complex undertakings to date. Spanning five job sites, the work included six bridge structures and two of the widest bridge decks in company history: Camden Road at 117 feet wide and Strickland Bridge at 140 feet wide.

Challenges: Working under an aggressive schedule, the Sanford Contractors team carefully balanced resources, personnel, and equipment to maintain efficiency and safety across all job sites. Through proactive planning, disciplined management, and close collaboration with project partners, the bridge package was delivered several months ahead of schedule and within budget.

Success: Completion of this section marks a major milestone in the I-295 Outer Loop, an effort first envisioned in the late 1980s and under construction for more than 25 years. Once fully open, the corridor will provide vital interstate connectivity between Fort Bragg, I-95, and communities throughout Cumberland County.

The I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop reflects the teamwork, precision, and commitment to quality that define Sanford Contractors’ approach to every project.

Click here to view the full project sheet.

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