Brian Daniel, President and CEO of Carroll Daniel, has been selected as a 2026 Most Admired CEO Honoree by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
A Legacy of Leadership
Brian Daniel became President of Carroll Daniel in 2003, following the passing of his father, Ed Daniel. He was 28 years old and became the third generation of the Daniel family to lead the company.
His leadership since then has transformed Carroll Daniel from a respected regional contractor into one of the Southeast’s leading integrated construction and engineering firms. Brian’s own story describes himself not as the creator of the business, but as its steward, focused on honoring the legacy entrusted to him.
For Brian, stewardship is about a simple idea: “My job is to leave it better than I found it.”
Twenty-three years later, the objective evidence, including a national Top 400 ranking, an expanded Southeast footprint, integrated capabilities, and 94% of employees calling it a great place to work, makes a compelling case that he has done exactly that.
Driving Long-Term Success
Brian has driven growth deliberately, diversifying the company across markets, geographies, and capabilities while remaining disciplined about where Carroll Daniel can create long-term value.
Under his leadership, the company expanded beyond traditional construction into engineering, procurement, site selection, self-perform services, and other complementary capabilities, while establishing offices across Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama.
Brian’s philosophy is that growth should never be pursued simply for growth’s sake. His focus on diversification, disciplined project selection, operational efficiency, technology, and long-term client relationships has created a stronger, more resilient enterprise positioned to thrive well beyond its 80th year.
Building a Great Work Culture
Brian Daniel has proven that a company can grow dramatically without losing what made it special. As Carroll Daniel has expanded geographically and added new capabilities, he has worked intentionally to preserve the family culture and core values of Relationships, Integrity, Stewardship, and Excellence that have guided the company for generations.
As Brian puts it, “Growth only matters if you keep the trust and accountability that got you there.”
That commitment is now measurable. In 2026, Carroll Daniel earned Great Place to Work® Certification based entirely on employee feedback. Ninety-four percent of employees said Carroll Daniel is a great place to work, 95% said they are proud to work there, and 97% said they felt welcomed when they joined. Employees most frequently identify family, people, and culture as defining characteristics of their workplace.
For Brian Daniel, stewardship is more than an initiative. It is about building opportunities and creating lasting value. By empowering his teams to think beyond the build, the impact is truly meaningful. The Carroll Daniel Golf Classic raised a record-breaking $131,400 for ALS research, and Carroll Daniel team members supported more than 95 charities and contributed over 400 volunteer hours this year.
Perhaps his most lasting contribution is creating opportunities for the next generation. Brian has championed apprenticeships, internships, work-based learning, and partnerships that introduce students to meaningful careers in construction. Through AGC Georgia’s annual Skills Challenge, more than 600 students from 22 high schools are exposed to opportunities in the industry. Additionally, Brian has pledged $100,000 through the Carroll Daniel Construction Endowed Scholarship to Kennesaw State University over the next five years.