Elizabeth Norris
Elizabeth Norris is co-owner of Baines Group, Inc., where she leads the operations of the company. Elizabeth and her partner Michael Baines started BGI in 2007. However, Elizabeth didn’t begin to work in the business until the last quarter in 2008, when the construction industry and the company were in a downturn and suffering. Elizabeth had some challenges ahead of her since construction companies were abandoning projects or going out of business. She also had no experience in the construction industry. Her background was in corporate sales and management. Also, she had to adapt to a male-dominated industry. Elizabeth led the company in a restructure and changed BGI’s business model to focus on the sectors of Hospitals, Transportation, and Education. Elizabeth researched new business to build a pipeline, responded to RFP’s, and procured positions on winning teams. Soon, their pipeline for new business was brimming over. That was one of the first lessons she learned about running a small business. “CashFlow.” However, with creativity and ingenuity, they survived that challenge. Elizabeth also created and implemented a new division of Construction Management which now thrives as BGI’s most profitable business unit. Today BGI is a General Contractor partner on several Hope 6 and other “Affordable Housing” Development projects located throughout Southeast San Francisco. Her vision continues to lead the operations of BGI. Elizabeth believes there will always be new challenges and obstacles in business; the key for her is to build a good team around you with a mix of creativity, adaptability, experience, persons who take pride in their work, who want to learn and grow and finally…risk-takers.
