Chief Legal Officer Erika Bush Recognized Again by City Business
RNGD is proud to announce that Chief Legal Officer Erika Bush, Esq., has won the New Orleans City Business Leadership in Law Award for 2025. This marks her second consecutive year receiving the honor. The achievement underscores her exceptional leadership and lasting impact within RNGD and across the broader legal and construction communities. Read last year’s announcement here.
A Humbling Honor with Lasting Impact
“This recognition is definitely humbling,” Bush reflected. “When I first won last year, I was shocked. I had never really considered myself in the running for such an award. Learning that I won again this year made me realize I am truly making an impact—one encouraged and amplified by RNGD.”
She credits former colleague Stacey Schexnayder for urging her to engage more deeply with the construction community, a decision that has benefited both her and RNGD.
Building Excellence from the Ground Up
Since joining RNGD in 2019 as the company’s first in-house legal professional, Bush has expanded a one-person function into a 14-person risk management team. Her approach blends legal expertise with business acumen, integrating insurance, safety, wellness, benefits, HR, incident management, and compliance under one umbrella.
“In construction, legal is often seen as red tape. The challenge was influencing others without direct authority. But as that took off, Wes saw I could take on more.”
Strategic Leadership in Expansion
As part of RNGD’s Executive Management team, Bush plays a central role in the company’s expansion into Nashville and Huntsville. Her leadership goes beyond legal compliance to include cultural adaptation and market strategy.
“Laws differ by state, but so do cultures and business practices,” Bush noted. Her team helps roll out initiatives, update contracts, and support execution across each new market.
Revolutionary Safety Leadership
Under Bush’s direction, RNGD achieved industry-leading safety performance, including a .64 EMR and multiple ABC awards. She restructured safety from an operations sub-function into a holistic system tied to risk, quality, and worker well-being.
Programs like S.A.F.E. Day, the Wellness Fair, dashboards, and the Safety + Health Newsletter have transformed RNGD’s safety culture. “It’s not about checking a box,” she emphasized. “We want everyone to go home safe and equipped every day.”
Breaking Barriers in Construction
Bush’s rise in a male-dominated industry is deeply personal. With a father who was a general contractor and a grandfather who was a developer, she grew up immersed in construction.
Her advice is simple: “Take the skills your parents taught you and combine them with technical strengths. Don’t limit yourself—capitalize on all your abilities and be creative.”
Community Impact Through Success
Bush founded Every Friend Needs Love and actively supports the Palmisano Foundation, focusing on immediate, practical support for families and students. She also champions trade school opportunities, helping young people see construction as a diverse industry with roles beyond the field.
Innovation in Legal Education
Bush developed programs like the Legal and Safety Internship and annual Risk Management lecture series. These initiatives give employees practical tools and shift perception of legal from reactive problem-solvers to proactive partners.
She also collaborates with outside counsel Chris LeMieux at Riess LeMieux for the Blueprint Conference, speaking on the role of in-house counsel in team-based project delivery.
Looking Ahead
Bush’s recognition has expanded her influence. She will speak at Southeastern Louisiana University, Tulane University’s Real Estate Law Society, and make her third appearance at the Blueprint Conference. Professors, she explains, want students to see the practical side of law in business.
A Legacy of Leadership
Winning the New Orleans City Business Leadership in Law Award two years in a row is more than a personal honor. It reflects RNGD’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and integrated leadership.
Bush continues to break barriers, bridge compliance and growth, and inspire women and legal professionals across industries. Her story shows how vision, determination, and service can create lasting impact beyond any single award.
