NASHVILLE, TN — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) named Ray Wallace, Operations Manager for Gaylor Electric, as ABC 2025 Young Professional of the Year during ABC Convention 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Young Professional of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual under the age of 40 who is dedicated to the merit shop and is a natural leader and top performer in their field based on career achievement, leadership, and vision for the future of the commercial and industrial construction industry. Wallace, 39, was selected based on his contributions to the industry and ABC.
Wallace enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, served in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Transitioning to civilian life, he became a Service Technician at a fire suppression systems company. In 2019, Wallace joined Gaylor as a Project Manager. His work ethic and leadership led to his promotion to Operations Manager of Gaylor’s office in Nashville, Tennessee, which has flourished in a booming construction market. His efforts resulted in a 60 percent increase in revenue for Gaylor’s Nashville office.
“My biggest professional accomplishment has been transforming Gaylor’s Nashville operation into a thriving location,” Wallace said. “In my role, I find fulfillment in guiding and inspiring the next generation of construction professionals and believe in hiring for the intangibles — those qualities that go beyond technical skills. I look for team-focused individuals who understand it’s about the collective effort, not just the hours put in.”
Wallace has overseen some of Gaylor’s most significant projects in Nashville, including the Nashville Yards ($20 million), Tanger Outlets Nashville ($10 million), a new HelloFresh distribution center ($15 million), and a new Amazon distribution center ($16 million). He attributes his success to the LDRSHIP values he learned in the Army: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.
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“Ray’s journey from the battlefield to the job site to the boardroom is a testament to his resilience, management skills, and dedication,” said 2025 Chair of the ABC National Board of Directors David Pugh, Partner at Bradley in Birmingham, Alabama. “His inclusive leadership style, grit, honesty, and dedication have earned him the respect of his colleagues and clients. Ray’s commitment to the skilled trades and apprenticeship programs is another important way he advocates for the industry. His inspiring story details just one of the many ways construction professionals can pursue their career dreams in their own unique way.”
Wallace is an active member of his community as well as ABC. He coaches several youth baseball and softball teams in the Greater Nashville area and is involved with Go Build Tennessee, an initiative aimed at promoting careers in the skilled trades. He also supports Folds of Honor, a charitable organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans. Wallace serves on the board of the ABC Greater Tennessee chapter, saying his dedication to the association stems from a profound belief in its mission and the values it promotes within the construction industry.
“The personal achievement I am most proud of is my genuine commitment to investing in people professionally and personally,” Wallace said. “I enjoy supporting and mentoring others, whether it be through my work with veterans or my involvement in my children’s activities. My military service, including two successful deployments, taught me the importance of resilience and camaraderie. I continue to support veterans and groups for soldiers with PTSD, ensuring they receive the care and recognition they deserve.”
The award is sponsored by Procore, a global provider of construction management software. As Young Professional of the Year, Wallace received a $10,000 cash prize.
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The Young Professional of the Year Award is one of numerous ABC award programs that promote lifelong learning and achievement in the construction industry.
