Delivering Trust & Loyalty

The Foret name stands for trust and loyalty. Our company was founded
to deliver quality services in the construction and landscape industry.
From Design + Build to Construction Project Management, and
including Landscape Design and Maintenance. We're there for you.

ABOUT FORET

What started out as two brothers and one truck has turned into a thriving community-based business and South Louisiana success story.

Benton and Ryan Foret have built The Foret Group into the go-to enterprise when it comes to construction and landscape design needs in the Houma-Thibodaux area.

Courteous, helpful and knowledgable. At Foret, we’re there for you.

  • Humble Beginnings

    The Foret brothers had a 1962 Ford F-100, a Snapper riding lawn mower (that we still have) a small trailer, and a few properties to make extra money while in high school. Mostly worked for family and friends in our neighborhood, and with the help of one neighbor we negotiated for and won a maintenance contract with a retail shopping center this was our first larger account other than homes.

  • Late 1990s

    In the late 90's both brothers attended Nicholls State University and continued to work on the development of the business while attending school full time, and volunteering with the all-volunteer fire department. A family friend who owned a mini storage business offered the brothers a 10 x 10 in exchange for property maintenance services. Finally the business was out from the family garage.

  • 1998

    The Foret brothers were asked to perform their first landscaping installation. This side of the business appeals to the brothers as they become aware of opportunities to design and create spaces and not just maintain them. Investments made in commercial equipment.

    Commercial landscaping projects were bid and won in New Orleans, St. Bernard, and Thibodaux. Benton Foret Land Co., LLC is formed.

  • 1999

    Benton Foret Graduates from Nicholls State with a degree in Public Relations. At this time, the company has revenue of $500,000 annually, and Benton decides to stick with what they have built and make it his career.

    Ryan joins Benton as a full-time partner, the company makes an acquisition doubling revenue, and name change to Foret Land and Tree, LLC takes place.

  • 2000

    The companies continued to grow and Ryan graduated from Nicholls State and too made a career with his love for the outdoors.

  • 2001

    Company becomes licensed as a contractor to perform projects over 50,000 in value.

  • 2005

    Brothers purchase the current office location and begin operations. The company makes a purchase of its first loaders and other larger equipment. The Forets join an industry peer group to learn from successful companies in the industry, and to improve business practices.

    This enables Foret Group to facilitate growth, as the brothers travel across the country to learn from experts at companies in larger markets.

  • 2010 - 2013

    Deepwater Horizon creates opportunity for Foret Land and Tree, LLC to serve a client in need. Company experiences rapid growth.

    Name change to Foret Contracting Group reflects diverse service offerings.

    Foret Contracting Group, LLC performs general contracting, facility maintenance, project management, and landscape design. Firm now has 18 employees and revenue above $6 million annually.

  • 2013 - present

    Foret Contracting Group continues to expend and is focused on building a team of professionals to live the mission daily of being there for our clients and meeting their expectations in a safe and profitable manner.

    The core values of safety, accountability, relationships, quality, vision, integrity, profitability and lagnappe steer the daily business decisions of the management team. The team continues to grow.

FORET Leadership

Benton Foret - Co-founder / COO Construction

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I am responsible for supporting The Foret Group's mission, vision and core values and ensuring our team lives by these.

VISION: To grow Foret Contracting Group into a successful, profitable contracting, facility services, and green services company by engaging a team of professionals in work they love to do and to serve our clients in a safe manner.

MISSION: To be there for our clients, to consistently and safely meet our clients' expectations in a profitable, efficient manner.

My parents taught my siblings and I the benefits of honest, hard work, and together, we learned how to operate a successful business.

This company is a part of me, and I'm proud to have built a team that can focus together on common goals and serves our clients.

Personal Commitment: My personal commitment to customers is to deliver what we commit to them and to think of them as friends more so than as customers.

Background: Married to Mandi Clement Foret and Dad to 2 children Sydney and Thomas, degree from Nicholls State University in Public Relations in 1999, have been in business since 1996, licensed in Commercial Building Construction, Heavy Construction, Highway Street and Bridge, Electrical, and Residential Construction, worked on numerous construction projects along the Gulf Coast, active in industry events around the country, active in local charitable organizations

Ryan Foret - Co-founder / COO Landscape

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My role on the Foret team is focused on business development, forecasting, and management of our Landscape Division. I was attracted to the business thanks to a great love of the outdoors, and I cherish the ability to work with my brother and grow a business of which we can both be proud.

Personal Commitment: My personal commitment to customers is "to meet or exceed their expectations."

Background: Father of 3 awesome kids, loving husband, & love the outdoors. I have a bachelor's in ag business, and a minor in plant science, state-certified Arborist, Horticulturalist, pesticide applicator, & Irrigator. More than 20 years of industry experience. Volunteer fireman, Thibodaux VFD.

Jason Morvant - General Superintendent

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I oversee all aspects of individual construction projects for Foret Group. I like working at Foret because we are a young and growing company with great customer interactions.

Personal Commitment: It is my personal commitment to every customer to always put them first. I will do my best to make sure that all jobs are completed in a timely manner while providing the highest quality job.

Background: Graduate of Thibodaux High School. Over 30 years of experience in Construction. Married for 25 years with one son and a beautiful granddaughter.

Conrad Harlan - Senior Production Manager

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I am responsible for the well being of our lawn maintenance crews and I oversee production rates, scheduling, training, and recruitment.

I was drawn to Foret Group because of the level of quality put into projects. I enjoy being a part of the team because of the family atmosphere we share. I love coming to work and getting the opportunity to build relationships with our clients. 

Personal Commitment: Our team will be on time, act professional, and do a great job on projects regardless of scope. I continue to learn in my position and try to pass on what I gain to our crew members and leaders. I always strive for communication and transparency amongst the team. 

Background: I have an AAS in Fire and Emergency Services and am working on a Business Management Degree. Additionally, I am EMT, Firefighter, and HAZ MAT Operation certified. I  have 15 years experience as a manager and continue to learn every day. I have been happily married since 2007 with twins Andrew and Audrey.

Mandi C. Foret - Human Resource Manager

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My responsibilities include managing Foret’s sales and marketing team. I love meeting a prospect for the first time and working with them until they become a client.

I have supported our company “from the sidelines” since its inception and enjoy watching it continue to grow. I am grateful to be a part of a phenomenal team that is also my family. I also love the comradery that we have within our office– we have fun and get things done!

Personal Commitment: I promise to communicate clearly and in great detail so that we are both on the same page.  Whatever is proposed will be delivered.

Background: 1999 LSU Graduate. Received a Bachelor of Science with a minor in Sociology and a concentration in Family and Consumer Science. Has 16 years of sales experience and is a great listener! Married to Benton Foret with two wonderful children – Sydney (13) and Thomas (10). We love our two furbabies – Frankie and Charlie.

Celsa Padilla McNabb - Office Manager

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I do a little of everything at The Foret Group, and that includes AP, AR, Payroll, Company Quarterly Payroll taxes, Customer Service, and HR.

I was attracted to work at The Foret Group because I heard wonderful things about the Foret brothers and the company's role in the local community.

Personal commitment: My personal commitment to our customers is giving the best quality in our services, and assuring them The Foret Group is looking out for their best interests.

Background: Graduate of Central Lafourche High School, Administrative Medical Assistant with National Honor Society, bilingual in Spanish/English, Married with 2 beautiful kids

Margarita Simmons - Contract Administrator

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My responsibilities at The Foret Group include accounts receivable, scheduling, customer service - a little of everything!

I enjoy my job because I enjoy being part of a family-oriented company. We have a great environment and I think we definitely make a great team.

Personal commitment: To give our customers my attention and best behavior when things are going great and to especially take responsibility if things go wrong. I want our customers to feel we provide the best service, and I do my best to give them confidence in our abilities and our promises.

Background: Associate degree in Accounting and Office Systems. Born and raised in El Salvador, bilingual in Spanish/English.

We seek clients who want partners, not suppliers, and we seek clients who value accountability as much as we do. It's why many clients seek us for repeat projects.

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Construction & Design Build

Industrial, heavy civil and commercial. New projects and renovation.

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Landscape Design & Maintenance

Design, build and maintain fully functional outdoor spaces.

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