University of Kentucky MBA alumna, Mary Beth Wright, Business Development Executive at Messer Construction Co., recently led Messer’s coordination efforts in securing a $241-million contract bid to build the new and expanded Lexington Convention Center and modifications to Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington, KY.
Mary Beth, and her team, were involved in coordinating, preparing and executing the project plan that eventually was accepted and voted on unanimously by the Board of Directors of the Lexington Center Corporation. Messer beat out two other bids for the contract which includes new construction, demolition of the Jefferson Street Bridge including the north abutment, new UK Hospitality Clubs, new upper arena chair back seats and new parking structure.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Messer Construction Co.,” says Mary Beth Wright. “We understand that this project will transform the life of downtown Lexington and we look forward to meeting this challenge.” As the Business Development Executive, Mary Beth’s charge each day is to secure new projects for Messer. Some of the recent Messer projects for Mary Beth have included Shriners Hospitals for Children Medical Center — Lexington’s ambulatory surgical center and clinic, Pikeville Medical Center’s twelve-story medical office clinic and parking garage, Berea College’s Deep Green Residence Hall and Margaret A. Cargill Natural Sciences and Health building, and the University of Kentucky’s Don and Cathy Jacobs Science Building, College of Pharmacy and Residential Renewal. Mary Beth received her MBA from the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics along with her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering at UK. Mary Beth was a participant in the Engineering/MBA dual degree, which is a joint program between the University of Kentucky's College of Engineering and the Gatton College of Business and Economics. When asked how the MBA has helped in her current role at Messer, Mary Beth said, “My time at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics gave me the tools I need in my job to be successful. From group projects to our Capstone project, my MBA experience taught me how to effectively work with a team of people to accomplish a common goal. I also learned the importance of effective project management skills which helped with this very complex project pursuit.” The three-year Lexington Convention Center expansion project is slated to begin with a public groundbreaking in mid-July, 2018 and be completed in November 2021.
