A blessed year of accolades started with being named the Business Observers 40 under 40.  Here is the link and the article that was written.

http://businessobserver4040.com/laura-lay-37/

Director of business development/marketing director,

Construction Services Inc. of Tampa

Laura Lay got into development because she wanted a dog and couldn’t afford one on her teacher salary. Fast forward 15 years and she’s the director of business development and marketing at Construction Services Inc. (CSI) in Tampa. Lay co-owns the company with her husband, Fred Lay.

Lay says it was difficult as a young woman to push her way into circles of 50- to 60-year-old men, who had the “good old boys mentality.” She had to be creative, organizing shooting, golf and sports events. “I grew up on a farm, so man activities are easy for me,” she says.

Building relationships is how she’s helped grow the business. “Let’s get to know each other and the business will come,” is a mantra for Lay.

One of the most rewarding jobs Lay completed was helping Tampa-based Doctors Administrative Solutions find a new headquarters after searching for four years. “It took the longest labor of love,” Lay says.

Just as impressive is Lay’s resume with local organizations. She sits on the Tampa General Hospital’s Women’s Leadership Council and patient advisory board. She’s also on the development committee for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and Growth Task Force for the Pasco Economic Development Council. Finally, she serves as a board member for Junior Achievement. Philanthropy is a big part of the couple’s business, Lay says. Over the last five years, CSI has donated $1 million back to the community, according to Lay.

— Traci Beach