Brett Ruppel

There’s vision, and then there are the people who bring it to life. As Chief Operating Officer at RNGD, Brett plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s success by aligning the team and project strategies to meet and exceed their goals. Since joining RNGD in 2015, Brett has been instrumental in establishing and leading the Self-Perform Divisions—Civil, Concrete, and Carpentry. Over the years, his responsibilities have evolved, but his mission has remained the same: to diversify RNGD’s service areas while building and mentoring a team of top-tier talent.

Apart from his role as COO, Brett has served as the Chair of the Safety Committee and still serves on the Safety Committee today. In this role, he continues to oversee RNGD’s safety management practices, ensuring the company maintains its best-in-class standards. He also leads the company’s warehouse and construction equipment efforts. A natural renegade, Brett constantly challenges conventional construction practices, always pushing boundaries and questioning the status quo. His curiosity drives innovation across every aspect of the business. He’s also deeply committed to developing the next generation of leaders through his work with the Renegade Academy, where he coaches and mentors colleagues grow both professionally and personally.

A native of River Ridge, Louisiana, Brett earned his degrees in Marketing, Management, and Business Administration from the University of New Orleans. He brings his wealth of experience back to the community by volunteering with Ace Mentors and hosting student groups for job site tours. Brett also serves on the board of Louisiana Associated General Contractors and is a graduate of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) Class of 2020. Recognized for his leadership, he was named one of New Orleans CityBusiness’ Ones to Watch: Construction in 2017 and was honored as a 2024 Real Estate Influencer by BIZ New Orleans.

Outside of work, Brett enjoys spending time with his wife, Lauren, and their three kids. He is an active member of Ducks Unlimited and an avid hunter. When not on a job site, Brett can often be found with his nose in a good book.

RENEGADE PHILOSOPHY: Treat people fairly. Don’t ask anyone to do anything you are not willing to do. Respect given and earned is a powerful tool.